Upgrade path from 17.9.3 to 17.12.3 | WLC 9800-L

[rtudon]

Hi everyone, I was planning on upgrade my WLC from 17.9.3 to 17.12.3 I saw that this one was the recommended version, I currently also have installed a APSP and a SMU, do I need to uninstall these packages after or before the installation of the 17.12.3?

Also, the version 17.12.3 does need any SMU, or APSP? 

Hope you guys can guide me!

[jagan.chowdam]

Cisco recommends 17.9.6 and 17.12.4 + SMUs + APSP(latest) for DNA Advantage customers and 17.12.4 ESW13 at Cisco Software Download Center for DNA Essentials deployments.

Refer the following guide for Recommended Cisco IOS XE version.

https://www.cisco.com/c/en/us/support/docs/wireless/catalyst-9800-series-wireless-controllers/214749-tac-recommended-ios-xe-builds-for-wirele.html

17.9.3 to 17.12.4 is a direct upgrade. You do not need to uninstall the APSP & SMUs. Also, make sure to read Release Notes (Before You Upgrade) before you start upgrading.

Release Notes: https://www.cisco.com/c/en/us/td/docs/wireless/controller/9800/17-12/release-notes/rn-17-12-9800.html#id_136398

And also, make sure your APs are supported on the 17.12.4. Refer "Supported Access Points" section from the release notes.

Jagan Chowdam

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[Haydn Andrews]

If you plan on going to 17.12.3 keep in mind its not TACs recommended release and any issues they will say to upgrade

This link shows the TAC release recommendation, it doesnt always reflect the “star” release and I have been told from the Wireless BU this is what you should look at when deciding the version to go to.

https://www.cisco.com/c/en/us/support/docs/wireless/catalyst-9800-series-wireless-controllers/214749-tac-recommended-ios-xe-builds-for-wirele.html 

17.12.3 has a critical field notice for it that is fixed in 17.12.4 with the SMUs and APSP4

https://www.cisco.com/c/en/us/support/docs/field-notices/742/fn74222.html 

[Leo Laohoo]

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@rtudon wrote:
do I need to uninstall these packages after or before the installation of the 17.12.3?

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I've got a better idea to uninstall the APSP and the SMU in one clean step: 

conf t
 service internal
end
clear install state

Entering the last command will cause the router, switch or WLC to reboot.  During the boot-up, the script will empty out all SMU and APSP. 

I would hold off upgrading to 17.12.4 because 17.12.5 is about to be released in the next two weeks.  Another reason to hold off for 17.12.5 is because by mid-February 2025, 17.12.5 will be made "star" release.  

[Rich R]

@jagan.chowdam is correct that you should not need to uninstall the previous SMUs and APSPs but there are 2 bugs in the install script which fail to properly remove them which may cause the install to fail immediately or the next time you try to install SMU/APSP/IOS update.  They are not correctly removed from the install state database which then confuses the install script.
The commands which @Leo Laohoo provided are the only way to prevent and workaround this problem other than manually removing each update individually before upgrading which would take much longer.

https://bst.cloudapps.cisco.com/bugsearch/bug/CSCwk20820
https://bst.cloudapps.cisco.com/bugsearch/bug/CSCwj73014