Cisco WLC Boot sequence

Below documentation can be used to downgrade/upgrade WLC by changing the boot sequence. We have used 2500 series controller to demonstrate the same.

Step1. Check the current active/default image.

When we check the show boot output, many of us get confuse between active and default keyword.

Here is the explanation:

Active means the image which controller used to get boot.

Default suggests the image, WLC will use for next boot.

(Cisco Controller) >show boot Primary Boot Image............................... 7.2.110.0 Backup Boot Image................................ 7.0.220.0 (default) (active) ---------<<<<<<<<<<<

Show sysinfo will confirm the current active boot image of WLC.

(Cisco Controller) >show sysinfo Manufacturer's Name.............................. Cisco Systems Inc. Product Name..................................... Cisco Controller Product Version.................................. 7.0.220.0 --------------<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<< Bootloader Version............................... 1.0.16 Field Recovery Image Version..................... 1.0.0 Firmware Version................................. PIC 16.0

Step2. Before changing the boot sequence, please make sure you have taken the backup of config and license file. It is also important to take the

Config Boot command is used to change the booting sequence of WLC. In our case we are making primary image as default.

(Cisco Controller) >config boot primary

Step3. Show boot command will show us the next boot (default) image.

(Cisco Controller) >show boot Primary Boot Image............................... 7.2.110.0 (default) --------------<<<<<<<<<< Backup Boot Image................................ 7.0.220.0 (active)

Step4. Reset of WLC is required to take the changes in effect.

(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! Connection closed by foreign host.

Step5. Check the Active and default Image after reboot.

(Cisco Controller) >show boot Primary Boot Image............................... 7.2.110.0 (default) (active) ----------<<<<<<<<<<< Backup Boot Image................................ 7.0.220.0 (Cisco Controller) >show sysinfo Manufacturer's Name.............................. Cisco Systems Inc. Product Name..................................... Cisco Controller Product Version.................................. 7.2.110.0 ------------------<<<<<<<<<<<< Bootloader Version............................... 1.0.16 Field Recovery Image Version..................... 1.0.0 Firmware Version................................. PIC 16.0