Upgrade F5 Big-IP 1500 firmware

hi alok,

 

 

we have a C62 model with 9.2.5 version OS running in our LB. However i want to upgrade the ios to 9.3.1. I wanted to know if i can dual boot the OS. ie keeping my kernal for 9.2.5 and after installation of 9.3.1 i should be able to switch back to 9.2.5. Will this be a full installation of 9.3.1 or will a hotfix of 9.3.1 do?

 

 

thanks

 

kiran

Hi alok,

 

 

Thanks for such a quick response. I found something very interesting. switchboot -l gives me the following output.

 

 

Current boot image:

 

HD1.1 - BIG-IP 9.2.5 Build 5.1

 

Default boot image:

 

HD1.1 - BIG-IP 9.2.5 Build 5.1

 

Available boot image(s):

 

CF1.1 - BIG-IP 9.1.2 Build 40.2

 

HD1.1 - BIG-IP 9.2.5 Build 5.1

 

HD1.2 - BIG-IP 9.3.1 Build 37.1

 

 

 

HD1.2 - BIG-IP 9.3.1 Build 37.1 ..... is BIG-IP 9.3.1 already installed ? do i have to just reboot it and boot it with a new image? i am a bit confused ... i never did this ... not sure if this is the right image ... can you please help...

 

 

thanks

 

kiran

Kiran,

 

 

You are correct 9.3.1 is indeed installed. By the build of it, i can say that no HF's are added yet.

 

 

To make that the primary boot system (default boot system all you have to do is,

 

 

switchboot -b HD1.2

 

 

Then type the "switchboot -l" to verify, You will then see

 

 

Default boot image:

 

HD1.2 - BIG-IP 9.3.1 Build 37.1

 

 

The default boot image would have changed, then all you have to do is reboot the box and it will boot into the 9.3.1 partition

 

 

 

 

A word of caution, since you dont know if you have any configuration applied to the 9.3.1 system, it will be a good idea to have a UCS file backup for you to restore it .

 

 

NOTE: "/shared" is the only partition that is accessible over all different slots and OS , so what ever you need to be accessible you should put in there

 

 

 

 

To take a UCS backup,

 

 

 

b config save /shared/tmp/carry_forward.ucs

 

 

 

 

Once you boot into the other OS and if you find the need to apply the same config that is currently running, you can restore it by

 

 

 

b config install /shared/tmp/carry_forward.ucs

 

 

 

Hope this helps

 

 

IS there anyway to do an upgrade without an active support contract?

 

 

I get this error when I try and perform the software upgrade:

 

 

An active service contract is required for the software you are attempting to install.

 

The license found for

 

does not contain a service check date.

 

If you have a current service contract, please re-activate your product license and resume installation.

 

If you do not have an active service contract, please contact F5 sales.

 

 

Cannot proceed with changes to this product image.

 

 

 

The problem is that we don't actually own the F5s, it is a customer and they have a lab and production environment, production is still in support obviously, but the lab is not. They also have a stipulation that we test EVERYTHING in the lab before deploying to production.

 

I believe you can apply hotfixes, but if you are upgrading versions you will need a support contract, even with lab equipment.

Posted By citizen_elah on 03/06/2009 5:15 AM

 

I believe you can apply hotfixes, but if you are upgrading versions you will need a support contract, even with lab equipment.

 

 

 

I Figured as much!! Thanks!