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

Thu Oct 11 17:53:05 EDT 2018

oh hey marcin,
that 2 step upgrade is indeed painful. it was inflicted on us because of some security requirements imposed by the industry.
I can ease that. see this extra post on it:
https://community.cisco.com/t5/service-providers-blogs/upgrading-to-6-3-2-plus-releases-coming-from-43x-51x-52x-need-to/ba-p/3714718

as for non ufpd cards, also working on a solution there that when such a non ufpd card is inserted it can be upgraded and booted as part of the process.

we are close to a solution for that.

cheers!
xander

On 7/28/18, 10:53 AM, "cisco-asr9k-ug on behalf of Kozak, Marcin" <cisco-asr9k-ug-bounces at puck.nether.net on behalf of Marcin_Kozak at comcast.com> wrote:

    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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