Wireless Migration Across 8 Sites Completed Without Service Disruption
A comprehensive wireless infrastructure modernization migrated 109 access points from legacy Cisco 5508 to new 5520 controllers through carefully orchestrated cutover windows.
The Organization
A major healthcare organization operating multiple facilities requiring reliable wireless connectivity for patient care systems, medical devices, and staff communications across their network infrastructure.
The Challenge
The healthcare organization's wireless infrastructure relied on aging Cisco 5508 controllers that needed modernization to newer 5520 platforms. The migration required careful coordination across eight separate facilities while maintaining uninterrupted wireless service for critical healthcare operations.
The complexity involved validating compatibility between legacy 2702I access points and new controllers, managing HA-SSO configurations, and ensuring seamless client roaming during the transition.
IVI's Approach
IVI implemented a comprehensive migration strategy using lightweight Agile methodology, encompassing detailed design, development environment testing, and controlled phased rollout across eight production cutover windows.
Conducted technical requirements gathering, inventory collection of WLC configs and AP inventory, and developed comprehensive Low Level Design documentation covering HA-SSO architecture and migration methodology.
Deployed Cisco 5520 controllers in parallel environment, executed configuration migration from 5508 to 5520, and validated AP join behavior, firmware upgrades, and HA failover scenarios.
Executed coordinated cutover windows across eight sites with approximately 13 APs per window, providing real-time command center coordination and immediate AP join verification.
Performed comprehensive Acceptance Test Plans including client authentication testing, roaming validation, and HA failover verification, followed by 16 hours of day-one support.
Technology Stack
Migration Outcomes
The wireless infrastructure migration was completed successfully across all eight facilities with zero service disruptions, modernizing the healthcare organization's wireless platform while maintaining critical care operations.
All 109 access points successfully joined new 5520 controllers with validated connectivity and performance across eight coordinated cutover windows.
Phased migration approach maintained continuous wireless service for critical healthcare applications and patient care systems throughout the transition.
High availability architecture thoroughly tested and validated in both development and production environments, ensuring redundancy for critical healthcare operations.
Delivered complete as-built documentation and configuration details, enabling ongoing management and future expansion of the modernized wireless infrastructure.
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