Forum Discussion
NimbostratusPersistance Mirroring while upgrading from 10.2 to 11.3?
Dear Folks,
We are upgrading F5 (LTM) from 10.2 to 11.3. Our Setup is Active/Standby in HA mode.
Is it possible to mirror the persistence between major code versions while upgrading? If yes, then what to configure and how will it be possible?
Any thoughts please.
Regards, MS
10 Replies
- nitass
Employee
Is it possible to mirror the persistence between major code versions while upgrading? If yes, then what to configure and how will it be possible?
i never tested but according to sol7225, it may be possible because 10.x and 11.x are using the same transport protocol. however, you know, it is not officially supported.
sol7225: Transport protocol used for BIG-IP connection and persistence mirroring
http://support.f5.com/kb/en-us/solutions/public/7000/200/sol7225.htmladditionally, there is bug 430008 which will be fixed in 11.5.0.
Bug 430008 - persist entries fail to remirror to standby after standby returns.
Mubasher_SultanHi,
Thanks for the reply.
I need the details for the bug id 430008. You mean that it may be supported but due to this bug id 430008, it will not work until 11.5.0. Am i correct?
Please update.
Thanks, MS
- nitass
I need the details for the bug id 430008.
when standby unit comes back online (i.e. after rebooting), active unit does not re-mirror existing persistence records to the standby unit.
- Mubasher_Sultan
Hi,
Thanks for the reply.
Just want to have more information. Then;
What is the use of connection mirroring (or Persistance). Connection mirroring is configured for redundant systems to minimize session disruption when the BIG-IP systems fail over.
Please update.
Regards, MS
- nitass
connection mirroring is to mirror active connection. persistence mirroring is to mirror persistence record which new connection (after failover) can match the record.
- Mubasher_Sultan
Ok...Got it.
But as said earlier, due to the bug, it will not do persistence mirroring. So, what about the connection mirroring, will it retain while upgrading from 10.2 to 11.3? or not?
Please update briefly.
Many thanks,
StephanMantheyNacreous
Hi Mubasher,
as far as I understand, connection mirroring is supported only between device group members using exactly the same software version.
Connection mirroring is a complex thing as it is replicating connection details and even payload during all stages of a connection (setup, exchange, close). The protocol has been changed during the evolution of TMOS a couple of times. And so probably does the internal connection handling.
For these reasons I would never recommend to leave mirroring turned on during a migration nor to rely on it. Please also keep in mind, that SSL session keys are not beeing mirrored between peers. Another aspect is the need of buffering the mirroring data on the active unit, while the standby is offline. This may consume a huge amount of resources.
Thanks, Stephan- nitass
But as said earlier, due to the bug, it will not do persistence mirroring.
only existing persistence record. new persistence record which is created after standby unit comes back only will be mirrored properly.
what about the connection mirroring, will it retain while upgrading from 10.2 to 11.3? or not?
Note: Only FastL4 and SNAT connections are re-mirrored after failback.sol13478: Overview of Connection and Persistence Mirroring (11.x)
https://support.f5.com/kb/en-us/solutions/public/13000/400/sol13478.html 
juanHello everybody. Nitass, I can't find any info about "Bug 430008 - persist entries fail to remirror to standby after standby returns" on AskF5 or Release Notes of version 11.5.X. Could you give us if effectively this Bug is known by F5 and it was fixed? Thank you!!
- nitass
I can't find any info about "Bug 430008 - persist entries fail to remirror to standby after standby returns" on AskF5 or Release Notes of version 11.5.X. Could you give us if effectively this Bug is known by F5 and it was fixed?
it is fixed in 11.5.0.
