Newer Wireless Controller to Support 3700 AP's?

[Jim Matuska]

We have a couple older 5508 Wireless LAN Controllers supporting a couple hundred 3702 Wireless AP's.  These controllers are now EOL.  Is there a Wireless LAN Controller that will not only support the newer AP's but also support these older AP's until we can replace all of them as well as be supported by Cisco?  Do you have any recommendations?  

[eglinsky2012]

Yes, the 9800 series WLC will support the x700 series APs alongside the latest 916x and 9136 APs starting with code version 17.9.3. The 9800-40 is the new equivalent of the 5508.

That said, the x700 series is EoL in April 2024. I’ve heard that code released after April 2024 will no longer support that series. 17.9.5 is due in February per TAC, so that may be the last version to support them. But you can just run 17.9.4a or 17.9.5 until you replace all the 3700s, then upgrade to a newer version after.

Or just keep the 5508 in service for the 3700s while you deploy the 9800 controller and 9100 series APs. Then decommission the 5508 after all the APs have been replaced.

[balaji.bandi]

You have 2 Option WLC CAT 9800 model Appliance and CL (virtual WLC) - both support all the features (expect anything mentioned).

https://www.cisco.com/c/en/us/products/collateral/wireless/catalyst-9800-series-wireless-controllers/nb-06-cat9800-ser-aag-ctp-en.html

You have not mentioned how many AP requirement throughput required - so refer the model required for you :

AP replacement Cat 9K model's below - all support Wifi6 compatible.

https://www.cisco.com/site/us/en/products/networking/wireless/access-points/catalyst-9100-series/index.html

You can negotiate with partner replacing AP and WLC - may have buy back offer from cisco and get some discount on License and product.

Deployment - deploy in parallel with exiting setup and test it - replace the AP floor by Floor (make sure there is no roaming taking place old AP and new AP ?)

yes you can also move the old AP to new WLC Cat 9800 -

check compatible matrix :

https://www.cisco.com/c/en/us/td/docs/wireless/compatibility/matrix/compatibility-matrix.html

Personally i would manually configure - so you learn shift from Airos to IOS XE 

in case you looking any conversion :

https://community.cisco.com/t5/wireless/wlc-config-converter-aireos-ios-xe/td-p/2895495

https://www.cisco.com/c/en/us/support/docs/wireless/wireless-lan-controller-software/217908-migrate-from-aireos-wlc-to-catalyst-9800.html

[Jim Matuska]

That is very helpful.  I'll check out the virtual version since we have VMware and can deploy there and save hardware.  In regards to the new controllers, can they still be managed by Prime Infrastructure or will we have to move to DNA Center/Catalyst to manage them?  I know Prime is going EOL in the next couple years but I would rather not have to migrate to DNA Center immediately.  Thanks Again.  

[balaji.bandi]

it support PI 10.x version, as you already know better start move to DNAC  (aka Catalyst center ) is Future.

[marce1000]

 - FYI : https://www.cisco.com/c/en/us/td/docs/wireless/compatibility/matrix/compatibility-matrix.html

 M.