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

[Adam420]

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!

[Ambika-leimapok]

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 S...

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

[Adam420]

Hi Leimapokpam, 

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

[ms264556 · Accepted solution]

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.

[Adam420]

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