Yes, make sure the 3xx and 5xx APs run the same firmware version before you join them together in the same network.
First, upgrade the existing 3xx cluster to the version you want to run in the end-situation.
Then on an isolated network that has at lease DHCP, upgrade one of your AP-5xx (per cluster, in case you have multiple clusters) to the same firmware version
Add the 5xx to the running 3xx cluster, it should be added automatically if auto-join etc is enabled (enabled by default), and take over the configuration.
Then you can add additional 5xx factory default APs and they will upgrade and take the configuration.
If you have multiple sites, it may be better to replace all APs in one site with the 5xx and use the 3xx APs in another site for the expansion. For larger sites (10+ APs) I would also avoid mixing different generations of APs in the same area, if that means that clients will be roaming between 3xx and 5xx every time they roam. In that case, it may be better to move the 3xx in one area and the 5xx in another area so within the area roaming will be with the same type of APs, and only if you cross an area you change from 11ac to 11ax. Not a breaker, but more best practice.
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Herman Robers
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If you have urgent issues, always contact your Aruba partner, distributor, or Aruba TAC Support. Check
https://www.arubanetworks.com/support-services/contact-support/ for how to contact Aruba TAC. Any opinions expressed here are solely my own and not necessarily that of Hewlett Packard Enterprise or Aruba Networks.
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Original Message:
Sent: Mar 03, 2021 10:52 PM
From: Wei Kwong Ong
Subject: WiFi-6 Instant AP joining WiFi-5 Instant AP Cluster
Hi, is there any prerequisite for WiFi-6 Instant AP (Aruba AP-5xx) joining WiFi-5 Instant AP (Aruba IAP-3xx) Cluster?
Is it a must to have the same Aruba Instant OS version for all the WiFi-6 and WiFi-5 AP?
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Wei Kwong Ong
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