[Cisco-asr9k-ug] ASR 9k upgrade path from 5.3.x to 6.4.x?

[Bruns, Daniel]

I wish I could give you some hints, but my exploration into 64-bit code has been very limited. The documentation for various features and settings specifically for 64-bit code is either nonexistent or very difficult to find. I can upgrade and downgrade cXR to/from eXR, but there's no decent eXR to eXR document. The admin commands are completely shuffled, and not documented well. In essence, they treat 32-bit and 64-bit code as just variations on a theme rather than distinct entities. 

I've got a call with them later this week to discuss their issues with 64-bit documentation (and code in general). If anyone has any contributions or messages for me to send along, let me know.

We're also running 5.3.4, in places where we have that luxury (i.e. no hardware-driven reasons to upgrade). 

1. and 2. I'd agree with shipping out RSPs/RPs pre-configured and pre-loaded with 6.4.1 code. I've not seen issues with linecards not booting without FPD updates, but my FPD has bounced around so many times, it's probably working properly just out of spite, on something fpd I picked up during another code rev test.

If we _need_ to upgrade the FPDs in cXR in 6.x.x prior to upgrading to 64-bit code, I would want an FPD SMU for the code I'm currently running. Multiple-stage reloads is impractical. If a lot of us are running 5.3.4 and are interested in moving from that to 64-bit code, I suspect Cisco's "SMU Council" would approve the SMU (unless there were technical reasons to prevent it).

3. Maybe 5.3.4 -> 6.4.1 cXR and 6.4.1 cXR -> eXR? I'm not sure the 6.0.1->6.1.1 bridges are all that necessary. We've hopped from 5.3.4 to 6.3.2 in a limited manner, without having to bridge the gaps. That said, the length of time for even a double-upgrade with FPD changes is rather much. Punching Cisco in the arm for a big bridge SMU to help you overleap the various issues might be in order. 

4. Probably a similar problem. I wouldn't want to turboboot in the field either. 

5. Downgrade would probably be reinsertion of the old cards. A code downgrade on existing cards would be so incredibly messy. FPD could be an issue afterwards, as well.

I'm really not looking forward to the 64-bit migration. The destination seems to be fine, but the journey is a nightmare, and the maps are written in crayon.

-----Original Message-----
From: cisco-asr9k-ug [mailto:cisco-asr9k-ug-bounces at puck.nether.net] On Behalf Of Job Snijders
Sent: Tuesday, May 29, 2018 7:27 PM
To: cisco-asr9k-ug at puck.nether.net
Subject: [Cisco-asr9k-ug] ASR 9k upgrade path from 5.3.x to 6.4.x?

Dear all,

We're trying to figure out how to upgade from 5.3.4 to 6.4.1. Jumping that far seems to pose significant challenges. Reviewing documents such as and what we discovered during testing there seem to be a few hurdles to clear.

https://supportforums.cisco.com/kxiwq67737/attachments/kxiwq67737/4441-docs-service-providers/4768/9/migrate_to_asr9k_64.pdf

1/ Some in our group suggested to ship management blades (already upgraded to 6.4.1) around the world. But it seems we can't stage 6.4.1 on a management blade, starting with IOS XR 6.1.1 there is this "unified FPD" thing. The LCs will not boot without first being upgraded to more a recent FPD, which is only possible by upgrading to a recent version of cXR.

2/ there are a few implications to the above. of course it will make the upgrade process more painful, but it also effects sparing parts. If a LC is shipped out and was previously booted on <= 5.x it wont come up in
6.4.1 eXR?

3/ An upgrade path such as 5.4.3 -> 6.0.1 -> 6.1.1 -> 6.4.1 will take too long. We're not in a position to bring routers down for extended periods of time for multiple installations (multiple hours), our maintenance windows aren't long enough.

4/ as far as we understand turboboot, it doesn't upgrade the FPD or has some restriction related to non-unified -> unified. So similar problem as in 1?

5/ And what is the downgrade process in case something in 6.4.1 isn't to your liking and you'd temporary want to back out?

Sooo.... in short - how are y'all doing in terms of upgrading to 64-bit XR? :-)

Kind regards,

Job

ps. Apologies if I'm sharing inaccurate information, corrections welcome.
_______________________________________________
cisco-asr9k-ug mailing list
cisco-asr9k-ug at puck.nether.net
https://puck.nether.net/mailman/listinfo/cisco-asr9k-ug