34 Replies Latest reply: Feb 13, 2012 2:29 PM by storn RSS

Cisco WLC Backup

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Hi,

Has anyone had success backing up a Cisco Wireless LAN Controller config with Cirrus?
  • Re: Cisco WLC Backup
    jonchill
    Currently Being Moderated
    Nope, I've tried and can't get any Cirrus functionality. I think it's partly die to it not being a full implementation of IOS and Cirrus not fully supporting it.

    Jon

    IT Infrastructure Manager
    Pilgrim Hospital
    UK
  • Re: Cisco WLC Backup
    Currently Being Moderated

     They have posted a template for Cisco's WLC that you can download and install for Cirrus. It doesn't seem to work with SSH, but it works great with telnet.

     Has anyone gotten it to work with SSH?

     -Peter

    • Re: Cisco WLC Backup
      irelandt
      Currently Being Moderated

      I still cant get it to work even with the template. First off the command on my WLC is sh run-config, and the template has running-config which errors out. Changing the template to run-config fixes that, but now I have to go through a series of press enter to continue prompts. These range depending on the device to around 30 times I have to press enter before I get a full config. The template doesnt issue any enter commands so the script fails every time.


       Adding &CRLF commands dont work either for this template.

      • Re: Cisco WLC Backup
        ecornwell
        Currently Being Moderated

        What version of code are you running?  We're running 4.1.185.0 and I've been able to back them up without a problem.  I used the template that was provided in the sharing zone.

        • Re: Cisco WLC Backup
          irelandt
          Currently Being Moderated

          I am running code version: 4.0.179.11


           Thanks

          • Re: Cisco WLC Backup
            ecornwell
            Currently Being Moderated

            What happens if you telnet (or ssh) to your controller and type show run?   (include the ?)


             I get the following:


            (Cisco Controller) >show run?
            run-config     running-config
            (Cisco Controller) >


            The run-config command shows how everything is configured but not with the configuration commands.  The show running-config shows all the commands.


            • Re: Cisco WLC Backup
              irelandt
              Currently Being Moderated

              It must be a difference in the code. Here is what i get:


              (Cisco Controller) >show run?
              run-config


              Then after every screen I get the following prompt:


              Press Enter to continue Or <Ctl Z> to abort


              This is where the script fails for me as it doesnt press enter to get all the way through.

              • Re: Cisco WLC Backup
                ecornwell
                Currently Being Moderated

                From what I've seen Cisco's been changing commands slightly in each version they move up.  From what I've seen 4.1.185.0 is considered a stable version of code for the controllers.  I had to open a support case a week or so ago and they suggested that we go with 4.2.130.0 as it was a "more stable" release.   We had a problem moving to one of the versions because we had some old AireSpace 1200 series APs.

  • Re: Cisco WLC Backup
    Currently Being Moderated

    Anyone find an answer for this?  We are just in the process of implementing a pair of WISM's and WCS.  I'd like OrionNCM to be able to go into the WISM (just a pair of WLC's) and pull down the config file. 

    The "show run-config" CLI command doesn't actually give you to commands to configure the WLC -- just output on how the system is setup.  ie:  You can't copy/paste the output from "show run-config" into a corrupt WLC to get your config back. 

    The only way I can see to do this is to do a TFTP transfer of the config file with these CLI commands on the WLC:

    transfer upload datatype config
    transfer upload serverip <TFTPSERVER_ADDRESS>
    transfer upload path <TFTP_PATH>
    transfer upload filename <TFTP_FILENAME>
    transfer upload start

    But, then the problem is it prompts you and asks if you want to start the transfer. Here's the example of the WLC Controller Guide documentation:

    Mode............................................. TFTP 

    TFTP Server IP................................... 10.10.10.4
    

    TFTP Path........................................ Config/
    

    TFTP Filename.................................... AS_4402_4_2_55_8_Config.xml
    

    Data Type........................................ Config File 
    

    Encryption....................................... Disabled
    

    **************************************************
    

    ***  WARNING: Config File Encryption Disabled  ***
    

    **************************************************
    

    Are you sure you want to start? (y/N) y
    
    File transfer operation completed successfully.

    Any idea how to do this?  If it was 1 command line we could use the indirect transfer....but then the Y/N question to actually start the transfer.  Anyone figure a way around this yet? 
    I'm currently running 5.2.178.0.
    --greg
     
    • Re: Cisco WLC Backup
      ATSJHIPPEN
      Currently Being Moderated

      I just uploaded a device configuration that works on our 3750 WLC. Cisco Wireless LAN Controller - Telnet/TFTP Download

      I tested it on 5.2.178.0.

      • Re: Cisco WLC Backup
        kahmeelyon
        Currently Being Moderated

        I did this template which works with our 44xx devices:

        <!-- edited with Notepad by Jodros-->
        <!--SolarWinds Network Management Tools-->
        <!--Copyright 2005 SolarWinds.Net All rights reserved-->
        <Configuration-Management Device="Cisco WLC" SystemOID=" 1.3.6.1.4.1.14179.1.1.4.3">
         <Commands>
          <Command Name="RESET" Value=""/>
          <Command Name="DisablePaging" Value="config paging disable" Delay="300"/>
          <Command Name="DownloadConfig" Value="show run-config commands"/>
          <Command Name="Reboot" Value=""/>
          <Command Name="EnterConfigMode" Value=""/>
          <Command Name="ExitConfigMode" Value=""/>
          <Command Name="Startup" Value=""/>
          <Command Name="Running" Value=""/>
          <Command Name="UploadConfig" Value=""/>
          <Command Name="DownloadConfigIndirect" Value=""/>
          <Command Name="UploadConfigIndirect" Value=""/>
          <Command Name="EraseConfig" Value=""/>
          <Command Name="SaveConfig" Value=""/>
          <Command Name="Version" Value=""/>
          <Command Name="PreCommand" Value="${CRLF}" Delay="1"/>
          <Command Name="More" Value="(q)uit" Delay="1"/>
          <Command Name="MenuBased" Value="false"/>
          <Command Name="VirtualPrompt" Value="(Cisco Controller) >"/>
         </Commands>
        </Configuration-Management>

        • Re: Cisco WLC Backup
          fast
          Currently Being Moderated

          Thank you kahmeelyon!!! Your template works like a champ. I have a WLC 5.x controller that is not a member of our WCS and I haven't been able to get NCM to grab the config. I created my own template with the abbreviated "show run-config" command and couldn't get it to work. Copied and pasted your posted commands in my WLC 5.x template and now we're good to go.

        • Re: Cisco WLC Backup
          Ismo
          Currently Being Moderated


          I did this template which works with our 44xx devices:

          <!-- edited with Notepad by Jodros-->
          ...

          ...

           



          Can someone explain the basics to novice? Problem: WLC 4402 config backup doesn't work. I've tried to search the answer from these forums, but without success. Here's what I've tried:

          I have copied template (as the matter of fact, many different kind of them) to Program Files\SolarWinds\Configuration Management\DeviceTypes-folder in orion server, and then just pressed "download configs..."-button from NCM and hoped for the best. It ends to something like this:
          Error Downloading Config to TFTP Host: yyy.yyy.yyy.yyy. Device IP: xxx.xxx.xxx.xxx
          Sometimes when I do some "random" changes I get this: Unable to locate or error loading device template: e:\Program Files\SolarWinds\Configuration Management\DeviceTypes\Cisco WLC. Device IP: xxx.xxx.xxx.xxx

          Login works ok, I've tested it. And same time all the other Cisco switches backups in same LAN and same ftfp-server works fine.

          I'm not really the "script wizard", I don't know anything about them, but somehow I know that something is missing in those templates "code". You guys just CAN'T success at backup with that script, even when many of you are telling something like "thanks, this worked perfectly". It just doesn't work! But question is, HOW I should change it? I've tried to add there some values that are empty now, for example :
          <Command Name="DownloadConfigIndirect" Value="transfer upload start"/>
          but it doesn't work. When I try to validate that template in web browser view, I get errors from " characters. When I remove them all, then I begin to get errors from < characters.So it feels that the whole language is totally wrong. We have 4402 WLC version 6.0.182.0 and Orion version 10.

          I think I have something wrong with very basics of using this software, but I just don't know what and how. :)

          If I make a command script like this:

          transfer
          upload start
          y

          it works ok, and backups a config. So tftp itself seem to work ok.

          • Re: Cisco WLC Backup
            Ismo
            Currently Being Moderated

            I'm commenting to my own message, because it still doesn't work. Quite strange that everyone else here seem to get that script work but not me. Is it possible that WCL would get own WORKING script in some future versions of Orion NCM??? Little bit stupid thing, that the most common WLAN controller command language of this world is not supported by Solarwinds, and users must exhance they know-how in the forums because of that.

            Devices are changed, but problem didn't. I've replaced 4402 with 2pcs of 5500 controllers. But the problem still remains. If I make a script described in the end of last message, backuping is succesfull. Only problem is NCM UI doesn't see the configuration history for those devices, because it is not copied with NCM native tools which switches and routers use for example.

            • Re: Cisco WLC Backup
              ecornwell
              Currently Being Moderated

              The problem is Cisco has changed the way certain commands display certain data.  The earlier versions of the controllers wouldn't actually show you the command line values used to get the current config and instead showed you the result.  I'm guessing this was from the Airespace days. 

              I've only played with one 5500 but once you find the correct command to get the info you want, you just need to plug it into the template and make sure the OID's match.

              • Re: Cisco WLC Backup
                Ismo
                Currently Being Moderated


                The problem is Cisco has changed the way certain commands display certain data.  The earlier versions of the controllers wouldn't actually show you the command line values used to get the current config and instead showed you the result.  I'm guessing this was from the Airespace days. 

                I've only played with one 5500 but once you find the correct command to get the info you want, you just need to plug it into the template and make sure the OID's match.

                 



                The problem is not 5500. I had exactly same problem with recent 4402 controller. I just don't understand those scripts! Those <command name=> rows must be some kind of "aliases" to get OS to understand commands, right? If so, why there is no "tranfer", "upload start", and "y" aliases anywhere (the only commands needed to backup configuration in tftp)?!? That's what i don't understand. There is no any chance to make this script work as it is! That's what I've tried to ask from you gyus, but you don't seem to speak the same language as I. I know my english is bad... :)

                As told, the same problem was with 4400 and is now with 5500, but both controller's backing up works perfectly with this simple command script written in NCM > scheduled jobs > wlc backup-job > command script

                <login>, passwords etc
                transfer
                upload start
                y

                So, how can I make this script you guys talking about, to work as well as my own script works? Why I'm wanting that? Because configuration history doesn't show in NCM node list (there is no plus-buttons next to wlc device names). so it's not a standard way to do this thing, and I want configuration to show in graphs and reports in standard way, as well as switches and routers configurations are showing.

                • Re: Cisco WLC Backup
                  ecornwell
                  Currently Being Moderated

                  The scripts run different segments of the commands and are triggerered at certain points.

                  If we look at the commands below, it lists different things that can be done.  The download configs section is the one that I used, but in your case, I think you want DownloadConfigIndirect.   Check the content exchange, I believe I uploaded one for a Brocade switch that included the indirect download but didn't have a way to test it.

                  <Commands>
                    <Command Name="RESET" Value=""/>
                    <Command Name="DisablePaging" Value="config paging disable" Delay="300"/>
                    <Command Name="DownloadConfig" Value="show run-config commands"/>
                    <Command Name="Reboot" Value=""/>
                    <Command Name="EnterConfigMode" Value=""/>
                    <Command Name="ExitConfigMode" Value=""/>
                    <Command Name="Startup" Value=""/>
                    <Command Name="Running" Value=""/>
                    <Command Name="UploadConfig" Value=""/>
                    <Command Name="DownloadConfigIndirect" Value=""/>
                    <Command Name="UploadConfigIndirect" Value=""/>
                    <Command Name="EraseConfig" Value=""/>
                    <Command Name="SaveConfig" Value=""/>
                    <Command Name="Version" Value=""/>
                    <Command Name="PreCommand" Value="${CRLF}" Delay="1"/>
                    <Command Name="More" Value="(q)uit" Delay="1"/>
                    <Command Name="MenuBased" Value="false"/>
                    <Command Name="VirtualPrompt" Value="(Cisco Controller) >"/>
                   </Commands>

                  • Re: Cisco WLC Backup
                    Ismo
                    Currently Being Moderated


                    The scripts run different segments of the commands and are triggerered at certain points.

                    If we look at the commands below, it lists different things that can be done.  The download configs section is the one that I used, but in your case, I think you want DownloadConfigIndirect.   Check the content exchange, I belie
                      <Command Name="DownloadConfigIndirect" Value=""/>

                     



                    I didn't find it from exchange section.

                    But what should I write to that row? I assume it does nothing when value is set to ""? How I can put multiple commands and enter pressings into that?

                    I begin to feel that maybe it's time to forget the whole NCM backup thing and do it in my own way, without using NCM integration. Actually Cisco WCS server does many different scheduled jobs also, including backups. Also the script-based telnet works (as described above) and it does the job. Of course it would be nice to have all the backups in the same Orion system and to get backup percent in report graphs to be 100%. So by backing up with command script I'm losing integration to NCM client and NPM web UI. I have to login server, go in tftp-folder where backup txt-file is saved, and change/use it from there. And I cannot compare change history. But if NCM integration is this hard, maybe it's not worth it...

          • Re: Cisco WLC Backup
            storn
            Currently Being Moderated

            Thank you -

            Used this on a 2500, changed the SysOID and worked like a charm..

            Thanks again...

        • Re: Cisco WLC Backup
          familyofcrowes
          Currently Being Moderated

          Does this work with version 7 WLC?

           

          It keeps telling me "it's not a Cisco device"

    • Re: Cisco WLC Backup
      jswan
      Currently Being Moderated

      smasher953--

      If you have WCS you can always use that to back up the configs.

  • Re: Cisco WLC Backup
    networkers
    Currently Being Moderated

    It did worked for me fine for the 44xx WLC

  • Re: Cisco WLC Backup
    bcorgey
    Currently Being Moderated

    Here are the guts of a template for the  Cisco WLC 4400, Cisco WLC 5500 series and the Cisco WISM.

    TFTP is the preferred method as it will give you the true configuration and not an output of the current state of the device.... Connected devices and so on.

     

     

          <Commands>

                <Command Name="Reset" Value=""/>

                <Command Name="PreCommand" Value="y"/>

                <Command Name="MenuBased" Value="false"/>

                <Command Name="DownloadConfig" Value="show run-config"/>

                <Command Name="DownloadConfigIndirect" Value="transfer upload datatype config${CRLF} transfer upload filename ${StorageFilename}${CRLF} transfer upload serverip ${StorageAddress}${CRLF} transfer upload start${CRLF}y"/>

                <Command Name="More" Value=" or "/>

                <Command Name="Version" Value="show sysinfo"/>

     

          </Commands>

    </Configuration-Management>

    • Re: Cisco WLC Backup
      fast
      Currently Being Moderated

      bcorgey,

       

      I tried your template using TFTP as my transfer option on a 5508 running v 6.x software and no joy. Any suggestions?

       

      Thanks

      • Re: Cisco WLC Backup
        bcorgey
        Currently Being Moderated

        fast,

        Hard to say without a session trace. Is the transfer protocol set up to be TFTP on the 5508 itself or is it set to FTP? since the command line does not stipulate the protocol to use, it is going to try to use the preconfigured protocol. 

        Verify you can tftp directly from the device to the TFTP server on the NCM Server:

        transfer upload datatype config [enter]

        transer upload filename 12345.config [enter]

        transfer upload serverip <NCM SERVER IP ADDRESS> [enter]

        transfer upload start [enter]

        y [enter]

        Please also confirm NCM settings for the TFTP server match the TFTP server setting.  TFTP_ROOT and IP address.

        What version of NCM?

        • Re: Cisco WLC Backup
          fast
          Currently Being Moderated

          Yes I can TFTP from the 5508 to the NCM server using the commands you showed. File showed up in C:\TFTP_Root on the server which is running NCM v6.1

          I attached the trace for you to peek at if you have a chance.

          Thanks again!

          • Re: Cisco WLC Backup
            bcorgey
            Currently Being Moderated

            fast,

            I attached the entire template. Please add this to the Devive types folder and manually select it.

            From the session trace, the device is sending back the prompt and has not made it to the commands yet.

            I want you to open a support ticket for this at:

            http://www.solarwinds.com/support/ticket

            refer to this thread Put attention Bill.

          • Re: Cisco WLC Backup
            bcorgey
            Currently Being Moderated

            Remove the .txt from the file.  I ahd to add it to post it.

            • Re: Cisco WLC Backup
              mlan
              Currently Being Moderated

              Hello, I have been attempting to use the various WLC-related device templates posted here, but I am encountering a specific timeout issue with my WiSM blades (WS-SVC-WISM-1-K9).  We have a lengthy config with lots of AP's per blade, and a typical TFTP config upload takes about ~60 seconds.  Using the device template scripts (such as bcorgey's and others), I encounter this error:

              "Transfer failure due to timeout waiting for success or failure prompt"

              I have tried adding the following without success:

              <Command Name="DisablePaging" Value="config paging disable" Delay="1000"/>

              <Command Name="DownloadConfigIndirect" Value="transfer upload datatype config${CRLF} transfer upload filename ${StorageFilename}${CRLF} transfer upload serverip ${StorageAddress}${CRLF} transfer upload start${CRLF}y" Delay="1000" RegEx="File transfer operation completed successfully."/>

              Any ideas?

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