topic Re: Migration from SZ100 (3.5.1.0.862) to vSZ-E – Best Approach for Mixed AP Environment (Wi-Fi in SmartZone and Virtual SmartZone

Migration from SZ100 (3.5.1.0.862) to vSZ-E – Best Approach for Mixed AP Environment (Wi-Fi

Adam420 — Tue, 29 Jul 2025 07:43:34 GMT

Hello everyone,

We’re in the process of migrating from a SmartZone 100 (running version 3.5.1.0.862) to a vSZ-E deployment. Our goal is to support both legacy Wi-Fi 6 access points (H500, R500, R510, R600, R700, T300, R350, R550) and new Wi-Fi 7 APs (R770).

We're facing some challenges and would appreciate insights from those who have handled similar migrations. Specifically, we’re looking for the best approach to migrate or re-deploy the environment while keeping all APs operational and minimizing downtime.

Would you recommend:

Upgrading the existing controller and doing a full backup/restore into vSZ?
Starting fresh with a new vSZ deployment and migrating APs zone by zone?
Any specific firmware path or version to ensure compatibility with both AP generations?

Thanks in advance for your guidance!

Re: Migration from SZ100 (3.5.1.0.862) to vSZ-E – Best Approach for Mixed AP Environment (Wi-Fi

Ambika-leimapok — Wed, 30 Jul 2025 16:22:45 GMT

Hi Adam,

Restoring the backup taken from SZ-100 to vSZ is not possible due to the platform difference

Migration of Configuration from One SmartZone platform to other | Knowledge Base | Ruckus Wireless Support

Hence, you would need to configure the new controller (vSZ-E) from the scratch.

To have the legacy APs working in the new vSZ-E follow the below steps:

initially deploy the vSZ-E on 3.5.1.0.862 then make the legacy APs connect/ Up on this vSZ-E(on 3.5.1.0.862)
then upgrade the vSZ to 3.6.2( 3.6.2.0.78 or 3.6.2.0.222 or 3.6.2.0.250)
after that upgrade to 6.1.2(6.1.2.0.354 or 6.1.2.0.404 (LT GD) or 6.1.2.0.441)
then to 7.0.x

Once the controller is running in 7.0.x version, create one new zone and have this AP zone running in 7.0.x.
Create an AP registration rule by going to Networks-> AP settings--> AP Registration-> Create -> Select the new Zone from the dropdown-> Select the Rule Type ->IP address Range (if you know the IP address range of the new AP R770) -> Enter the "From IP" and "To IP" -> Ok

Re: Migration from SZ100 (3.5.1.0.862) to vSZ-E – Best Approach for Mixed AP Environment (Wi-Fi

ms264556 — Wed, 30 Jul 2025 23:35:34 GMT

Leimapokpam Ambika has a good answer, IF you really want to support only WiFi 6 and WiFi 7 APs. If this is the case though, then I'd personally just directly install the latest 7.0 or 7.1 release, then add a 6.1.2 AP Patch. Much quicker.

But several APs you list are very old WiFi 5 APs.

There is no release of SmartZone which supports both the R770 and also H500/R500/R600/R700/T300. I have a tool here which lets you play around with AP combinations.

If you must run R770 APs plus old WiFi 5 APs then Ruckus One supports most of your list (except H500 & R700).

Or you can leave your old WiFi 5 APs on the SZ100 and put the WiFi 6/7 APs on a fresh vSZ. Then decommission the SZ100 once all your old APs are updated. The downside is that the vSZ and SZ100 will need to be managed independently.

Re: Migration from SZ100 (3.5.1.0.862) to vSZ-E – Best Approach for Mixed AP Environment (Wi-Fi

Adam420 — Thu, 31 Jul 2025 10:05:52 GMT

Hi Leimapokpam,

Thank you for your answer. Can't I create 3 Zones for every APs ( Legacy, Wifi6, Wifi7) and follow your suggested deployment ?

Re: Migration from SZ100 (3.5.1.0.862) to vSZ-E – Best Approach for Mixed AP Environment (Wi-Fi

Adam420 — Thu, 31 Jul 2025 10:10:01 GMT

Thanks ms for your answer, Actually, I am changing all old APs except the H500 with 3.5.1.0.1010 firmware. Is there any chance to create a legacy zone for this Model? Thanks