[Cisco-asr9k-ug] NCS5500 -- was RE: [Marketing Mail] Re: [EXTERNAL] ASR 9k upgrade path from 5.3.x to 6.4.x?

[Byrne, Cameron]

Just to chime in here.

We are capping our 9922 with Tomahawk and HODL for  5.3.4, which we will likely need one more XR upgrade (32bit) before the gear goes EOS.

Ripping out all the commons to get the Lightspeed and this whole 64bit debacle seems like an adventure not worth taking.

So, we are likely banking on Jericho 2 ncs5516s to replace the asr9922, pushing Cisco to pull in the GA date, and then just capping the Tomahawk 9922 in place.

Can we pull in NCS5500 for our scope on this mailer? Worth having a new one for 5500? Thoughts on 5500

CB



-----Original Message-----
From: cisco-asr9k-ug <cisco-asr9k-ug-bounces at puck.nether.net> On Behalf Of Kozak, Marcin
Sent: Saturday, July 28, 2018 7:54 AM
To: Job Snijders <job at ntt.net>; cisco-asr9k-ug at puck.nether.net
Subject: [Marketing Mail] Re: [Cisco-asr9k-ug] [EXTERNAL] ASR 9k upgrade path from 5.3.x to 6.4.x?

So we are not moving to 64 bit yet, but I think the only good plan we were able to come up with was multiple upgrades in a rather low maintenance window.  We are tentatively planning for 6.1.4 -> 6.5.2 cXR -> 6.5.2 eXR.  

I think the most worrisome part of this unified FPD issue for us is the RMA depot sparing.   We are working with our Cisco account team to make sure that any sparing depots that would potentially be used for RMA in areas where we will be upgrading to eXR have had some kind of purge of all line cards that have been sitting in the depot for some time and replaced with new ones.   Cisco BU did say that all new line cards will be shipped with a code that had unified FPD on it. 

On a separate note, is anyone evaluating Lightspeed?  Any major issues found in testing that didn't have a committed fix date?


Marcin Kozak
Comcast Network Architecture
m. 267-312-1221



On 5/29/18, 7:26 PM, "cisco-asr9k-ug on behalf of Job Snijders" <cisco-asr9k-ug-bounces at puck.nether.net on behalf of job at ntt.net> wrote:

    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.
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