Considerations When Using The Hitless Layer 2 Os Upgrade Feature - Brocade Communications Systems PowerConnect B-RX Release Note

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Due to Internal changes introduced in patch release version 02.4.00d ,hitless upgrade is not supported
onto 02.4.00b and hitless downgrade is not supported from 02.4.00d.
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The Hitless upgrade feature is not supported on release 02.5.00b to 02.5.00c for the BigIron RX-32
only. It is supported on all other BigIron RX devices.
Using this feature, you can upgrade the Multi-Service IronWare software without a loss of service or
disruption in the following supported functions and protocols:
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All ports and links remain operational
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TOS-based QoS
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Layer-2 Switching
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Layer-2 Protocols:
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MRP
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STP
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VSRP
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RSTP
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MSTP

Considerations when using the Hitless Layer 2 OS Upgrade feature

Consider the following when using the Hitless Layer 2 OS Upgrade feature:
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You must have both active and standby management modules installed to use this feature.
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To avoid any disruptions of Layer-3 traffic to OSPF or BGP routes, the switch must be configured
with OSPF Graceful Restart and BGP Graceful Restart features. In addition, the device's OSFP
neighbors must have OSPF Graceful Restart Helper enabled.
The total time it takes for the hitless upgrade process to finish varies between approximately 1 and 10
minutes. This depends on the size of the MAC table, the number of OSPF and BGP neighbors and the
size of the routing table. Switch configuration is unavailable during the entire hitless upgrade process.
The message "---SW Upgrade In Progress - Please Wait---" is printed at the console when
configuration is attempted. Operational command of the switch is allowed during the upgrade process.
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The active management module changes from the initial active management module to the standby
management module during the hitless upgrade process. This makes it necessary to have a connection
to the console interface on both management modules.
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Upon being reset, the management and interface module CPUs are unable to send and receive any
packets. Once the management and interface modules are up and running, their CPUs are able to send
and receive packets, even before the hitless upgrade process is complete.
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Switch configuration is not allowed to be changed during the entire hitless upgrade process.
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System-max parameter changes or other configuration changes that require a system reload such as
"cam-mode" and cam-profile" changes do not take effect upon hitless upgrade.
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FPGA images cannot be upgraded using the hitless upgrade process.
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This feature cannot be used to downgrade an image to an older major version than the version that the
device is currently running.
IronWare Software Release 02.7.03a for Brocade BigIron RX Series Swtches
Release Notes v 1.0 Page 25 of 40