Cisco Wireless / Aruba Migration - Network Engineering Advisor

Role Summary

We are looking for an experienced L3 Wireless Network Engineer with strong hands-on expertise in Cisco Wireless LAN Controllers (WLC), Cisco Catalyst Wireless platforms, enterprise WLAN design, troubleshooting, and migration of wireless infrastructure from Aruba to Cisco.

The engineer will act as a senior technical resource responsible for complex wireless incidents, problem management, design validation, implementation, optimization, and migration activities across large enterprise environments.

The role requires strong troubleshooting capability across the complete wireless stack, including Wireless LAN Controllers, Access Points, RF, authentication, switching, DHCP/DNS, AAA/RADIUS, Cisco ISE, and client connectivity.

Key Responsibilities

Cisco Wireless LAN Controller - L3 Support

• Provide L3 operational and engineering support for enterprise Cisco wireless environments.

• Configure, manage, troubleshoot, and optimize:

• Cisco Catalyst 9800 Wireless LAN Controllers

• Cisco AireOS WLC platforms where applicable

• Cisco Catalyst Access Points

• Troubleshoot complex wireless connectivity, roaming, authentication, RF, performance, and client onboarding issues.

• Perform detailed root cause analysis for recurring and major wireless incidents.

• Analyse WLC and AP logs, debugs, packet captures, and client connection statistics.

• Troubleshoot issues involving:

• AP registration

• CAPWAP

• Client association

• Authentication

• DHCP

• DNS

• VLAN assignment

• Roaming

• RF interference

• Poor signal / SNR

• High channel utilization

• Client drops

• Throughput degradation

• Configure WLANs, SSIDs, policies, RF profiles, AP groups/tags, VLAN mappings, and mobility configurations.

• Perform software upgrades, controller migrations, AP upgrades, and infrastructure lifecycle activities.

• Support High Availability and redundancy configurations for wireless controllers.

Aruba-to-Cisco Wireless Migration

• Lead or support migration of enterprise wireless infrastructure from Aruba Wireless to Cisco Catalyst Wireless.

• Assess existing Aruba environments including:

• Aruba Mobility Controllers

• Aruba Mobility Conductor/Master

• Aruba Access Points

• SSIDs

• AAA profiles

• VLAN mappings

• RF configurations

• Authentication policies

• Translate existing Aruba wireless configurations and policies into equivalent Cisco configurations.

• Develop migration methodologies, implementation plans, rollback procedures, and test plans.

• Perform Aruba-to-Cisco configuration mapping for:

• SSIDs/WLANs

• VLANs

• Authentication

• RADIUS

• 802.1X

• Guest wireless

• Corporate wireless

• RF policies

• AP groups

• Access policies

• Support AP replacement and migration activities across enterprise locations.

• Validate coverage, authentication, roaming, connectivity, and application performance following migration.

• Perform pre- and post-migration health checks.

• Troubleshoot migration-related client compatibility and authentication issues.

• Work closely with site teams and field engineers during physical AP replacement and cutover activities.

Wireless Design and Optimization

• Review wireless architecture and provide recommendations for improvements.

• Analyse RF performance and recommend channel, power, and coverage optimization.

• Understand and troubleshoot:

• 2.4 GHz

• 5 GHz

• 6 GHz

• Wi-Fi 5 / 802.11ac

• Wi-Fi 6 / 802.11ax

• Wi-Fi 6E

• Analyse RSSI, SNR, channel utilization, interference, retransmissions, and client density.

• Support wireless capacity planning and high-density deployments.

• Review wireless survey outputs and recommend AP placement or RF changes.

• Identify coverage gaps and performance issues.

Authentication and Cisco ISE Integration

• Strong understanding of enterprise wireless authentication technologies including:

• 802.1X

• RADIUS

• EAP-TLS

• PEAP

• MAC Authentication Bypass

• Web Authentication

• Troubleshoot authentication issues between:

• Wireless clients

• Cisco WLC

• Cisco ISE

• Active Directory

• PKI/Certificate infrastructure

• Analyse RADIUS transactions and Cisco ISE authentication logs.

• Support dynamic VLAN assignment and role/policy-based access.

• Troubleshoot certificate and supplicant-related wireless issues.

Switching and Network Integration

• Strong understanding of how wireless infrastructure integrates with LAN infrastructure.

• Troubleshoot:

• VLANs

• 802.1Q trunks

• DHCP

• DNS

• Routing

• ACLs

• QoS

• Multicast

• PoE

• Troubleshoot AP switch-port connectivity and power issues.

• Support integration with Cisco Catalyst switching environments.

Incident, Problem and Change Management

• Handle complex L3 incidents escalated from L1/L2 teams.

• Participate in P1/P2 major incident troubleshooting and technical bridge calls.

• Perform technical root cause analysis and produce RCA documentation.

• Identify recurring infrastructure issues and initiate problem-management activities.

• Prepare and review implementation plans, Method of Procedure (MOP), rollback plans, and validation procedures.

• Execute production changes during approved maintenance windows.

• Participate in Change Advisory Board discussions where technical representation is required.

Monitoring and Operational Improvement

• Monitor wireless infrastructure using enterprise management platforms such as:

• Cisco Catalyst Center

• Cisco Prime Infrastructure

• Cisco Spaces

• Aruba AirWave

• Aruba Central

• Analyse alarms, wireless health scores, client experience, AP availability, and performance.

• Identify opportunities for automation and operational improvement.

• Develop operational runbooks, troubleshooting procedures, and technical documentation.

• Provide technical guidance and knowledge transfer to L1/L2 engineers.

Required Technical Skills

Mandatory Skills

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