on 07-Jun-2017 09:18
Problem this snippet solves:
This is a quick summary of steps you need to check before upgrading a BIG-IP.
This is valid for version 11.x or later.
How to use this snippet:
In this example, I will assume that we are upgrading from 11.5.1 to 12.1.2
a) For appliance, check hardware/software compatibility
Link: https://support.f5.com/csp/article/K9476
b) For virtual edition, check the supported hypervisors matrix
Note : If running vCMP systems, verify also the vCMP host and compatible guest version matrix
Link : https://support.f5.com/csp/article/K14088
Link: https://support.f5.com/csp/article/K13845
In this case, you must be running BIG-IP 10.1.x - 11.x to upgrade directly to BIG-IP 12.x
Link: https://downloads.f5.com/esd/index.jsp
Link: https://support.f5.com/csp/article/K7727
First, determine the "License Check Date" of the version you want to install. In this case, the version 12.1.2 was released on 2016-03-18 (License Check Date). Then, determine your "Service check date" by executing the following command from CLI :
> grep "Service check date" /config/bigip.license
The output appears similar to the following example:
> Service check date : 20151008
Since the "Service check date" (20151008) is older than the "License Check Date" (2016-03-18), a license a reactivation is needed before upgrading. To reactivate, follow the steps under paragraph "Reactivating the system license" from the link given above.
<no longer available>
Link: https://support.f5.com/csp/article/K13132
a) If are using the "Configuration Utility", follow the procedure under "Backing up configuration data by using the Configuration utility"
b) If you prefer using CLI, follow the procedure under "Backing up configuration data using the tmsh utility"
Link: https://support.f5.com/kb/en-us/products/big-ip_ltm/releasenotes/product/relnote-ltm-12-1-2.html
Under the paragraph "Installation checklist" of the release note, ensure that you have read and verified listed points.
Code :
No code
Tested this on version:
11.0Please Team, I just want to confirm if firmware 13.1.0 for Big-IP LTM upgrade has been released by F5.
F5 Support has put together a document on how to upgrade BigIP software with the following article - K84554955: Overview of BIG-IP system software upgrades
 
Also one of our senior support engineers wrote this indepth series about the upgrade procedure -
 
BIG-IP Upgrades Part 1 - Preparation
 
BIG-IP Upgrades Part 2 - Upgrade Behavior
 
BIG-IP Upgrades Part 3 - Versions, Misconceptions and a Back-Out Plan
 
BIG-IP Upgrades Part 4 - Performing the Software Installation
 
Hello, just a note that happened to me. I have many upgrades since version 9. In recent upgrades I have some problems when in the new bigip version losted configurations from the previous version. This happens in general when you install the new version, then one week/month after you run the switchboot to the new version. But this in my case is true and false, because when I installed and the next thin is to reboot. I checked the configuration installed from the previous partition/version and I lost configuration on the way. The 'Install Configuration' option has no effect in some cases. So after some ungrateful events, I have another must step, restore the backup I made before the upgrade. With this step I assuring that I'm installing the latest configuration.
This is a rather worrying situation, you shouldn't need to perform a full UCS restore when you upgrade your box software to another partition after clicking "Install Configuration" before rebooting and choosing the new Active partition. I'm sure this happened a while ago to me but I believe the "Install Configuration" function was only brought in from 11.5.x my upgrade was from an earlier version, though by default it should always copy the config when booting into the new volume.
Daniel, was this install to a new partition that was empty or did the partition have another version of software installed?...out of interest