Query on 9800-L-F WLC image upgrade

[Bdas1]

Hi Team,

I have a query, on the images which are released in the Cisco software center. I could see for 9800-L-F, there is a suggested release "17.15.3(ED)" and not a suggested release but a latest release "17.15.4b(MD)". If there is already a suggested release, then why a latest release is there and why not the latest release the suggested release?

[Mark Elsen · Accepted solution]

  - @Bdas1     You will find more information, on releases, extensions and purpose in:
                        https://www.cisco.com/c/en/us/support/docs/wireless/catalyst-9800-series-wireless-controllers/214749-tac-recommended-ios-xe-builds-for-wirele.html

  M.

[Leo Laohoo · Accepted solution]

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@Bdas1 wrote:
why not the latest release the suggested release

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Please do not be fooled into believing that each release is "special" because it is a "star release".  It is not.  

Each and every release will get star release.  And that is that.

[Rich R]

A new release does not instantly become a recommended release.  TAC and the BU always monitor bug reports and TAC cases for 4-8 weeks after release before considering making a release recommended.  Sometimes a serious bug will be discovered in a new release (yes it happens that as Cisco developers fix bugs they sometimes introduce new bugs or regressions in the code) and then the code may be withdrawn (as happened with 17.15.4 which was replaced by 17.15.4b) so you might want to use the latest release to get a specific fix even though it hasn't been proven to be stable and reliable yet but then you should do your own testing before deployment. 

Once a release becomes recommended that means it should be stable and reliable for most customers but it might still have minor bugs which could affect some customers.  These will usually get mentioned in the TAC Recommended document (link below and in @Mark Elsen reply) and in the Release Notes Open Issues for Cisco IOS XE 17.15.4b