Just to explain how to upgrade a Cisco Wireless LAN Controller software version. I did it in my Cisco WLC 2106 to test the new features in version 7.0.235, until now I’ve been using version 5.2.193 and want to update my knowledge.

Upgrade is pretty straightforward like with router IOS. We need to download and copy the software image in our network reachable TFTP server. Once the image is in place and we have checked that we can reach the TFTP from the management interface of the WLC, we only need to set the WLC to retrieve the software from it.

(Cisco Controller) >transfer download datatype code  
(Cisco Controller) >transfer download mode tftp  
(Cisco Controller) >transfer download serverip 172.17.172.219  
(Cisco Controller) >transfer download path .  
(Cisco Controller) >transfer download filename AIR-WLC2100-K9-7-0-235-0.aes  
(Cisco Controller) >transfer download start  
The controller will start fetching the new software. We need to type "y".  
Mode……………………………………… TFTP  
Data Type…………………………………. Code  
TFTP Server IP…………………………….. 172.17.172.219  
TFTP Packet Timeout………………………… 6  
TFTP Max Retries…………………………… 10  
TFTP Path…………………………………. ./  
TFTP Filename……………………………… AIR-WLC2100-K9-7-0-235-0.aes  
This may take some time.  
Are you sure you want to start? (y/N) y  
TFTP Code transfer starting.  
TFTP receive complete… extracting components.  
/mnt/application  
Writing new Code to flash disk.  
Executing install_code script.  
Writing new APIB to flash disk.  
Executing install_apib script.  
TFTP File transfer is successful.  
Reboot the switch for update to complete.

As notified we must reset the system to load the new software.

(Cisco Controller) >reset system  
The system has unsaved changes.  
Would you like to save them now? (y/N) y  
Configuration Saved!  
System will now restart!calling reboot…  
CISCO SYSTEMS  
Embedded BIOS Version 1.0(12)6 08/21/06 17:26:53.43  
Low Memory: 632 KB  
High Memory: 251 MB  
PCI Device Table.  
Bus Dev Func VendID DevID Class Irq  
00 01 00 1022 2080 Host Bridge  
00 01 02 1022 2082 Chipset En/Decrypt 11  
00 0C 00 1148 4320 Ethernet 11  
00 0D 00 177D 0003 Network En/Decrypt 10  
00 0F 00 1022 2090 ISA Bridge  
00 0F 02 1022 2092 IDE Controller  
00 0F 03 1022 2093 Audio 10  
00 0F 04 1022 2094 Serial Bus 9  
00 0F 05 1022 2095 Serial Bus 9  
Evaluating BIOS Options …  
Launch BIOS Extension to setup ROMMON  
Cisco Systems ROMMON Version (1.0(12)7) #2: Fri Oct 13 10:52:36 MDT 2006  
Platform AIR-WLC2106-K9  
Launching BootLoader…  
Cisco Bootloader (Version 4.0.191.0)  
 
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8D Y8b d8`8b d8'  
 `Y88P' Y888888P`8888Y' `Y88P'`Y88P'  
Booting Primary Image…  
Press <ESC> now for additional boot options…  
Detecting hardware . . . .  
€  
Cryptographic library self-test….passed!  
XML config selected  
Validating XML configuration  
Reading 0 hosts from config  
Cisco is a trademark of Cisco Systems, Inc.  
Software Copyright Cisco Systems, Inc. All rights reserved.  
Cisco AireOS Version 7.0.235.0  
Initializing OS Services: ok  
Initializing Serial Services: ok  
Initializing Network Services: ok  
Starting ARP Services: ok  
Starting Trap Manager: ok  
Starting Network Interface Management Services: ok  
Starting System Services: ok  
Starting Fastpath Hardware Acceleration: ok  
Starting Switching Services: ok  
Starting QoS Services: ok  
Starting Policy Manager: ok  
Starting Data Transport Link Layer: ok  
Starting Access Control List Services: ok  
Starting System Interfaces: ok  
Starting Client Troubleshooting Service: ok  
Starting Management Frame Protection: ok  
Starting Certificate Database: ok  
Starting VPN Services: ok  
Starting LWAPP: ok  
Starting CAPWAP: ok  
Starting LOCP: ok  
Starting Security Services: ok  
Starting Policy Manager: ok  
Starting Authentication Engine: ok  
Starting Mobility Management: ok  
Starting Virtual AP Services: ok  
Starting AireWave Director: ok  
Starting Network Time Services: ok  
Starting Cisco Discovery Protocol: ok  
Starting Broadcast Services: ok  
Starting Power Over Ethernet Services: ok  
Starting Logging Services: Reading 0 hosts from config  
ok  
Starting DHCP Server: ok  
Starting IDS Signature Manager: ok  
Starting RFID Tag Tracking: ok  
Starting Mesh Services: ok  
Starting TSM: ok  
Starting CIDS Services: ok  
Starting Ethernet-over-IP: ok  
Starting DTLS server: enabled in CAPWAP  
Starting CleanAir: ok  
Starting WIPS: ok  
Starting SSHPM LSC PROV LIST: ok  
Starting RRC Services: ok  
Starting FMC HS: ok  
Starting Management Services:  
Web Server: ok  
CLI: ok  
Secure Web: ok  
(Cisco Controller)  
Enter User Name (or 'Recover-Config' this one-time only to reset
configuration to factory defaults)  
User: admin  
Password:  
Your password does not meet the strong password requirements. For added
security, set a new password that meets these requirements. To prevent this
message from showing again, disable the strong password eature.  
(Cisco Controller) >show sysinfo  
Manufacturer's Name………………………… Cisco Systems Inc.  
Product Name………………………………. Cisco Controller  
Product Version……………………………. 7.0.235.0  
RTOS Version………………………………. 7.0.235.0  
Bootloader Version…………………………. 4.0.191.0  
Emergency Image Version…………………….. N/A  
Build Type………………………………… DATA + WPS  
System Name……………………………….. Cisco_37:b2:a0  
System Location…………………………….  
System Contact……………………………..  
System ObjectID……………………………. 1.3.6.1.4.1.9.1.828  
IP Address………………………………… 172.17.172.200  
System Up Time…………………………….. 0 days 0 hrs 2 mins 26 secs  
System Timezone Location…………………….  
Configured Country…………………………. ES - Spain  
Operating Environment………………………. Commercial (0 to 40 C)  
Internal Temp Alarm Limits………………….. 0 to 65 C  
Internal Temperature……………………….. +61 C  
\--More-- or (q)uit

As we can see, the new software version is running.