Upgrade Catalyst 9800

[Maurice Ball]

Could someone please help me out with this? Cisco wrote this so confusing I need some validation. I am planning on upgrading my Catalyst 9800-L to the recommended code version 17.9.4a. When I look at the APSP release notes it states that I need to install the SMU as well as the APSP. I see the install files for the APSP for the code version 17.9.4a installation but when I check for the SMU package. I only see a SMU package for 17.9.4. Do I need to install the SMU for 17.9.4 also or only the APSP for the WLC software version 17.9.4a?

[Leo Laohoo]

Apply the SMU on 17.9.4 to fix the security vulnerability.  17.9.4 with the SMU is exactly the same as 17.9.4a.

[Maurice Ball]

I should apply that same SMU to code version 17.9.4a?

[Maurice Ball]

The following is stated on the software page: 

Dear Cisco Customer, If you are not using APSP in 17.9.4, please use 17.9.4a, to obtain fix for CSCwh87343, Cisco IOS XE Software Web UI Privilege Escalation Vulnerability, CVE-2023-20273. In case of SMU/APSP installed, please wait until SMU for CSCwh87343 is available for 17.9.4

Which makes me think the fix for the SMU is included in the code version 17.9.4a.

[Leo Laohoo]

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@Maurice Ball wrote:
I should apply that same SMU to code version 17.9.4a?

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Might as well go straight to 17.9.5 and start testing.

17.9.5 APSP 1 is already out and APSP 1 Release Notes can be found HERE.

[marce1000 · Accepted solution]

  - I would advise to go direct to 17.9.5  , as far as I am 'aware off internally...'  it is planned to become an advisory (and then you have the SMU stuff already) ; no further worries about SMU.

  Appendix : also after upgrades for instance , it remains useful to check the controller again using 
              the CLI command show tech wireless and feed the output to : Wireless Config Analyzer

 M.

[Maurice Ball]

ok thanks for the help.

[marce1000]

  - No problem , in between Leo mentioned an SMU/APSP for 17.9.5 ; my take on that is : For the time being stick to native 17.9.5 only  , review the content of the SMU/APSP  and only use it when you  see a specific item mentioned in the problem list (that you might experience) . It makes things simpler for upgrading and avoids conflicts and problems when going to the next version , 

 M,

[Leo Laohoo]

Today, I upgraded a pair of 9800-80 (VSS) to 17.12.3 manually.  No DNAC.  No PI.  

What is so unique about it?  I unpacked the packages and set the controller to reboot 15 minutes later.  

[Maurice Ball]

The controller was back operational within 15 minutes?

[Leo Laohoo]

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@Maurice Ball wrote:
The controller was back operational within 15 minutes?

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That is not what I meant. 

I initiated the software install so the packages can be extracted, however, I did something to delay the automatic script from rebooting the controller for another 15 minutes. 

And then the pair of 9800 rebooted.