Cisco has multiple wireless LAN controllers (WLC), they seem to be pushing their combined 3850 switch and WLC. The controller portion of the 3850 switch is the Cisco 4404 WLC. The issue is that Cisco has not been upgrading the firmware for the 4400 series WLC. So if you have a combined 3850 and are using the wireless function, you are using a 4400 series WLC. As of writing this article, the 4400 firmware has not been updated since Oct 25, 2011 (which was version 7.0.220). So it has been 4.5 years since their last update. In comparison the Cisco 2504 wireless controller has been updated with in the last couple of weeks and is currently on version 8.0.133.
So if want to have easily supported equipment on the needed firmware, don’t go for the combined controllers and switch. Cisco is not supporting these to the same level or even close as they are the individual 2504 WLC.
Jason Howe, PEI
