Introduction


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These release notes describe what is new or changed in the 8.9.100.0 and 8.9.111.0 release, instructions to upgrade to this release, and open and resolved caveats for this release. These release notes are updated as needed to provide information about new features, caveats, potential software deferrals, and related documents.

The Cisco Mobility Express network solution inherits all features that were released prior to the introduction of the Cisco Wireless Release 8.9.100.0 and 8.9.111.0 with a few exceptions. For information about inherited features that were introduced prior to this release, see the Existing Features section of the Cisco Mobility Express User Guide, Cisco Wireless Release 8.9 .


Note

The Cisco Mobility Express wireless network solution is available starting from Cisco Wireless Release 8.1.122.0.

We recommend that you view the field notices for this release to check whether your software or hardware platforms are affected. If you have an account on Cisco.com, you can find the field notices at: http://www.cisco.com/en/US/customer/support/tsd_products_field_notice_summary.html.

However, if you do not have a Cisco.com account, you can find the field notices at: http://www.cisco.com/en/US/support/tsd_products_field_notice_summary.html.

Overview of Cisco Mobility Express

The Cisco Mobility Express wireless network solution comprises of at least one 802.11ac Wave 2 Cisco Aironet Series access point (AP) with an in-built software-based wireless controller (WLC) managing other APs in the network.

The AP acting as the WLC is referred to as the master AP while the other APs in the Cisco Mobility Express network, which are managed by this master AP, are referred to as subordinate APs.

In addition to acting as a WLC, the master AP also operates as an AP to serve clients along with the subordinate APs.

Cisco Mobility Express provides most features of a Cisco WLC and has the capability to interface with the following:

  • Cisco Prime Infrastructure—For simplified network management, including managing AP groups

  • Cisco Identity Services Engine—For advanced policy enforcement

  • Connected Mobile Experiences (CMX)—For providing presence analytics and guest access using Connect & Engage

For more information about the Cisco Mobility Express solution, including its setup and configuration, see the Cisco Mobility Express User Guide, Release 8.9.

Supported Cisco Access Points

The following Cisco Aironet Series APs are supported in the Cisco Mobility Express network:


Note

  • APs listed under master APs can also function as subordinate APs.

  • The software on the APs listed under master APs can be converted from Cisco Mobility Express to CAPWAP Lightweight AP software and vice versa. For ordering information, visit the Cisco Aironet Access Points Ordering Guide


Table 1. Cisco APs Supported in Cisco Mobility Express

Master APs

Subordinate APs

Cisco Aironet 1540 Series

Cisco Aironet 1560 Series

Cisco Aironet 1815i

Cisco Aironet 1815m

Cisco Aironet 1815w

Cisco Aironet 1830 Series

Cisco Aironet 1840 Series

Cisco Aironet 1850 Series

Cisco Aironet 2800 Series

Cisco Aironet 3800 Series

Cisco Aironet 4800 Series

Cisco Catalyst 9100 (Applicable to Release 8.9.111.0)

Cisco Aironet 1700 Series

Cisco Aironet 1800i

Cisco Aironet 1810w

Cisco Aironet 2700 Series

Cisco Aironet 3700 Series

Cisco Industrial Wireless 3702

Cisco Aironet 700i

Cisco Aironet 700w

Maximum APs and Clients Supported

Depending on the master AP in the Cisco Mobility Express network, the maximum number of APs and clients supported varies. For more information about the APs supported in the Cisco Mobility Express network, see Supported Cisco Access Points.

Table 2. Scale Supported in Cisco Mobility Express Network

Master AP Model

Maximum APs Supported

Maximum Clients Supported

Cisco Aironet 1540 Series

50

1000

Cisco Aironet 1560 Series

100

2000

Cisco Aironet 1815i

50

1000

Cisco Aironet 1815m

50

1000

Cisco Aironet 1815w

50

1000

Cisco Aironet 1830 Series

50

1000

Cisco Aironet 1840 Series

50

1000

Cisco Aironet 1850 Series

50

1000

Cisco Aironet 2800 Series

100

2000

Cisco Aironet 3800 Series

100

2000

Cisco Aironet 4800 Series

100

2000


Note

If there are more than 25 Access Points in a Mobility Express network, the Master AP(running the Wireless LAN controller function) can service a maximum of 20 clients. This limit only applies to Master AP and not any other Access Point in the Mobility Express network.


Cisco Mobility Express Software Release Information

The following table lists the Cisco Wireless Release 8.9.100.0 and 8.9.111.0 software for Cisco Aironet APs that are Cisco Mobility Express capable (master APs).


Note

  • After updating the Cisco Mobility Express software, clear your browser cache before continuing use. Do either of the following before using the Cisco Mobility Express GUI after the software update:

    • Restart your browser and log in to the GUI.

    • Log out from the GUI and login again.

  • Choose the appropriate AP software based on the following:

    • Cisco Mobility Express software to be used for converting the AP from the unified wireless network CAPWAP lightweight AP to a Cisco Mobility Express-capable AP (master AP)

    • AP software image bundle to be used either for upgrading the Cisco Mobility Express software on the master AP or for updating the software on the subordinate APs or both


Prior to ordering these Cisco Aironet APs, visit the Cisco Aironet Access Points Ordering Guide.

Table 3. Cisco Mobility Express Software for Cisco Aironet APs

Master AP

AP Software for Conversion from CAPWAP to Cisco Mobility Express

AP Software Image Bundle for Upgrade

AP Software in the Bundle

Cisco Aironet 1540 series

AIR-AP1540-K9-8-9-100-0.tar

AIR-AP1540-K9-8-9-111-0.tar

AIR-AP1540-K9-ME-8-9-100-0.zip

AIR-AP1540-K9-ME-8-9-111-0.zip

ap1g5

Cisco Aironet 1560 series

AIR-AP1560-K9-8-9-100-0.tar

AIR-AP1560-K9-8-9-111-0.tar

AIR-AP1560-K9-ME-8-9-100-0.zip

AIR-AP1560-K9-ME-8-9-111-0.zip

ap3g3

Cisco Aironet 1815 series

AIR-AP1815-K9-8-9-100-0.tar

AIR-AP1815-K9-8-9-111-0.tar

AIR-AP1815-K9-ME-8-9-100-0.zip

AIR-AP1815-K9-ME-8-9-111-0.zip

ap1g5

Cisco Aironet 1830 series

AIR-AP1830-K9-8-9-100-0.tar

AIR-AP1830-K9-8-9-111-0.tar

AIR-AP1830-K9-ME-8-9-100-0.zip

AIR-AP1830-K9-ME-8-9-111-0.zip

ap1g4

Cisco Aironet 1850 series

AIR-AP1850-K9-8-9-100-0.tar

AIR-AP1850-K9-8-9-111-0.tar

AIR-AP1850-K9-ME-8-9-100-0.zip

AIR-AP1850-K9-ME-8-9-111-0.zip

ap1g4

Cisco Aironet 2800 series

AIR-AP2800-K9-8-9-100-0.tar

AIR-AP2800-K9-8-9-111-0.tar

AIR-AP2800-K9-ME-8-9-100-0.zip

AIR-AP2800-K9-ME-8-9-111-0.zip

ap3g3

Cisco Aironet 3800 series

AIR-AP3800-K9-8-9-100-0.tar

AIR-AP3800-K9-8-9-111-0.tar

AIR-AP3800-K9-ME-8-9-100-0.zip

AIR-AP3800-K9-ME-8-9-111-0.zip

ap3g3

Cisco Aironet 4800 series

AIR-AP4800-K9-8-9-100-0.tar

AIR-AP4800-K9-8-9-111-0.tar

AIR-AP4800-K9-ME-8-9-100-0.zip

AIR-AP4800-K9-ME-8-9-111-0.zip

ap3g3

Installing Cisco Mobility Express Software

For software installation instructions, see the “Getting Started” section in the Cisco Mobility Express User Guide for Release 8.9.

Limitations and Caveats

Known Limitations

  • Internet Group Management Protocol (IGMP)v3 is not supported on Cisco Aironet Wave 2 APs.

  • If you have IPv6 flex ACLs configured in the Cisco Mobility Express network, you may face issues downgrading the Cisco Mobility Express software image from Cisco Wireless Release 8.7.102.0 or newer to Cisco Wireless Release 8.6.101.0 or older.

    This issue can be resolved by removing all IPv6 ACLs as these are not supported in Cisco Mobility Express, Release 8.6.101.0 or older.

  • If the Cisco AP has a Cisco Mobility Express software image, it will not support link aggregation groups (LAG) even if it is 802.3ad (LACP)-compliant.

  • Over-the-DS fast BSS transition and fast transition PSK authentication are not supported.

  • Starting from Cisco Mobility Express Release 8.8.111.0, when you set the Security Type for a WLAN to Central Web Auth, the required ACLs are no longer auto-generated. You must create the ACLs manually.

  • When downgrading from Cisco Mobility Express AP version 8.8 or 8.9 to version 8.5 with the Cisco Catalyst 3850 switch, the Cisco AP stops responding and fails to come up as a controller. This issue occurs only when downgrading the AP. The AP upgrades without any issues.

  • An AP image master requires a minimum memory of 210 MB to create an image. If the memory is below the image creation threshold, an invalid master status is sent to the controller. To avoid this issue, the joining AP must stream the image if there are no other available masters. Another alternative is to add an external AP of the same type, which would have more memory when compared to the internal AP.

  • In Cisco Mobility Express, the show boot command displays information that is obtained from the AP. Only when the controller is upgraded and rebooted, the show boot command points to the upgraded version. If the controller is upgraded and not rebooted, the show boot command variables are not populated. It will still show the old image as the default image. This is because, unlike AireOS, Cisco Mobility Express updates its data structures from the information obtained from the internal AP.

  • The Cisco Aironet 1852 Access Point does not join Cisco Mobility Express 1562, as the master Cisco Mobility Express1562 does not include the image required for the Cisco Aironet 1852 AP.

  • If you continue to perform an upgrade even after all the APs have successfully completed upgrading, the following message is displayed "Transfer cannot happen because download is already Initiated! Abort before initiating the download again".

Caveats

Caveats describe unexpected behavior in the Cisco Mobility Express network solution. Severity 1 caveats are the most serious while Severity 2 caveats are less serious. Severity 3 caveats are moderately serious and only select severity 3 caveats are listed here.

The and sections list the caveats in the Cisco Mobility Express network solution for Cisco Wireless Release 8.9.100.0 and 8.9.111.0. The following information is provided for each caveat:

  • Identifier—Each caveat is assigned a unique identifier (ID) with a pattern of CSCxxNNNNN, where x is any letter (a-z) and N is any number (0-9). These IDs are frequently referenced in Cisco documentation, such as Security Advisories, Field Notices and other Cisco support documents. Technical Assistance Center (TAC) engineers or other Cisco staff can also provide you with the ID for a specific caveat.

  • Description—A description of what is observed when the caveat occurs.

Cisco Bug Search Tool

The Cisco Bug Search Tool (BST), which is the online successor to the Bug Toolkit, is designed to improve the effectiveness in network risk management and device troubleshooting. The BST allows partners and customers to search for software bugs based on product, release, and keyword, and aggregates key data, such as bug details, product, and version. The tool has a provision to filter bugs based on credentials to provide external and internal bug views for the search input.

For more information about how to use the Cisco Bug Search Tool effectively, including how to set email alerts for bugs, filter bugs, and save bugs and searches, see the Bug Search Tool Help & FAQ page.

You can access the listed bugs through the BST. This web-based tool provides you with access to the Cisco bug tracking system, which maintains information about bugs and vulnerabilities in the Cisco Mobility Express network solution and other Cisco hardware and software products.

Click the Caveat Identifier number in the table. The corresponding BST page is displayed with details of the bug.


Note

If you are not logged in, you will be redirected to a Log In page where you need to enter your registered Cisco.com username and password to log In. If you do not have a Cisco.com account, you can register for one.


If the defect that you have selected cannot be displayed, this may be due to one or more of the following reasons:

  • The defect number does not exist

  • The defect does not have a customer-visible description yet

  • The defect has been marked Cisco Confidential

Open Caveats

This section lists the open caveats in Cisco Wireless Release 8.9.100.0 and 8.9.111.0. These caveats apply to the current release and may apply to previous releases. A caveat that is open for a prior release and is still unresolved applies to all future releases until it is resolved.

Table 4. Cisco Mobility Express: Open Caveats in Cisco Wireless Release 8.9.111.0

Caveat Identifier

Caveat Description

CSCvb70551 Cisco Wave 2 APs reboot due to kernel panic-not syncing: Out of Memory
Table 5. Cisco Mobility Express: Open Caveats in Cisco Wireless Release 8.9.100.0

Caveat Identifier

Caveat Description

CSCvo87382 Central European Time (CET) is not reflected correctly as per Daylight Saving Time (DST)

Resolved Caveats

This section lists the caveats that have been resolved in Cisco Wireless Release 8.9.100.0 and 8.9.111.0.

Table 6. Cisco Mobility Express: Resolved Caveats in Cisco Wireless Release 8.9.111.0

Caveat ID Number

Description

CSCvo87359 (GMT+10:30) Adelaide, South Australia is missing from Cisco Mobility Express UI
Table 7. Cisco Mobility Express: Resolved Caveats in Cisco Wireless Release 8.9.100.0

Caveat ID Number

Description

CSCvj14729 Upgrading Cisco Mobility Express to 8.7.102.0, causes it to reload unexpectedly in a continuous loop
CSCvh24354 Cisco Mobility Express/Flex local - MN_REASSOC_TIMEOUT / EAP negotiation failures
CSCvi42632 AP generating 'hostapd' core files, does not respond to EAPOL
CSCvj97430 Cisco Mobility Express AP - Loop detected that causes AP reboot
CSCvk38453 AP does not initiate the CAPWAP discovery process, it gets stuck during the PNP discovery process
CSCvk62355 CAP2800 on ME image 8.6.101.0, 8.7.106.0 reloads unexpectedly in ewsContexSendRedirect200->ewaDate
CSCvi96718 Cisco Mobility Express unexpectedly reloads on DHCP spamSendConfigSync
CSCvj46554 CONFIGSYNC-3-CONFIG_SYNC_SEM_REL_FAIL & CLEAN_TASK: Reaper cleaning up exited task 'ConfigSync'
CSCvj50100 AP free memory leak - downstream frames are dropped before forwarding to radio driver
CSCvk23577 Client is unable to connect due to the 'Failed to create a timer' error
CSCvk47740 Unable to configure Pre-auth ACLs for RLAN in the Cisco Mobility Express UI
CSCvk53883 Cisco Mobility Express GUI: preauth ACL rules disappear when VLAN tagging is enabled on WLAN
CSCvk56651 BSSID/Client Rate Limit prevent clients to pass traffic on Cisco Mobility Express

Service and Support

For all support-related information, see http://www.cisco.com/c/en/us/support/index.html.

Related Documentation

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Cisco Bug Search Tool

Cisco Bug Search Tool (BST) is a web-based tool that acts as a gateway to the Cisco bug tracking system that maintains a comprehensive list of defects and vulnerabilities in Cisco products and software. BST provides you with detailed defect information about your products and software.