Starting in WLC code version 6.0, new unified code images can be pre-downloaded to wireless access points to reduce network impact during the upgrade process. The current primary or backup boot images on the controller can be selected to pre-download to the access points.
In addition, each access point now holds a primary and backup image in flash to facilitate failover in the event of a corrupt image and for easier image swapping between multiple versions.
Currently, these features are only available through the controller CLI.
- View the current controller images
show boot
(cciewlc) >show boot
Primary Boot Image............................... Code 6.0.188.0 (active)
Backup Boot Image................................ Code 6.0.182.0
- View the current AP images:
show ap image { all | ap-name }
(cciewlc) >show ap image all
Total number of APs.............................. 1
Number of APs
Initiated....................................... 0
Predownloading.................................. 0
Completed predownloading........................ 0
Not Supported................................... 0
Failed to Predownload........................... 0
Predownload Predownload
AP Name Primary Image Backup Image Status Version Next Retry Time Retry Count
----------- -------------- ------------ ------------- ------------ ---------------- ------
CCIELWAP001 6.0.188.0 0.0.0.0 None None NA NA
- Pre-download a new primary or backup image to an AP. Specify the controller’s current primary or backup image to pre-download to the AP:
config ap image predownload { primary | backup }{ all | ap-name }
Note – If the selected image is already present on the AP as its primary or backup image, the image will not be downloaded to the AP.
- View the progress of the image pre-download:
show ap image { all | ap-name }
(cciewlc) >show ap image all
Total number of APs.............................. 10
Number of APs
Initiated....................................... 4
Predownloading.................................. 5
Completed predownloading........................ 1
Not Supported................................... 0
Failed to Predownload........................... 0
Predownload Predownload
AP Name Primary Image Backup Image Status Version Next Retry Time Retry Count
------------ -------------- -------------- --------------- ----------- ---------------- ------
CCIELWAP001 6.0.188.0 6.0.182.0 Complete 6.0.182.0 NA NA
CCIELWAP002 6.0.188.0 0.0.0.0 Predownloading 6.0.182.0 NA NA
CCIELWAP003 6.0.188.0 0.0.0.0 Predownloading 6.0.182.0 NA NA
CCIELWAP004 6.0.188.0 0.0.0.0 Predownloading 6.0.182.0 NA NA
CCIELWAP005 6.0.188.0 0.0.0.0 Predownloading 6.0.182.0 NA NA
CCIELWAP006 6.0.188.0 0.0.0.0 Predownloading 6.0.182.0 NA NA
CCIELWAP007 6.0.188.0 0.0.0.0 Initiated 6.0.182.0 NA 0
CCIELWAP008 6.0.188.0 0.0.0.0 Initiated 6.0.182.0 NA 0
CCIELWAP009 6.0.188.0 0.0.0.0 Initiated 6.0.182.0 NA 0
CCIELWAP010 6.0.188.0 0.0.0.0 Initiated 6.0.182.0 NA 0
- Swap primary and backup images on an AP. The AP must be rebooted after swapping images for the new primary image to be used during runtime.
config ap image swap { all | ap-name }
Also, watch for future enhancements to allow image staging off an existing access point or other local TFTP/FTP server. This can reduce image download times to access points by locally staging an image on an AP or server rather than traversing a low-bandwidth, high-latency WAN connection to download the image from a centralized controller.
Andrew
Andrew,
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing. There is always something new to learn for me.
Regards,
/steve williams
http://www.sudonetworks.com
Thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeleteFeichti
Thanks for sharing! This definitely helped me out
ReplyDeleteNice article... thanks for sharing. Does anyone know if this is supported on the WLC2106? All docs I have been able to google only reference the 4400 and 5500 controllers
ReplyDeleteHi Ken,
ReplyDeleteIt should also work on a 2106 WLC since this is a code enhancement in software. I have not attempted it on that platform, however, so I cannot be certain. If you test it, please let us know your results.
Andrew
Thanks for sharing this.... in the middle of an upgrade now
ReplyDelete