The Hitless Os Layer 2 Software Process - Brocade Communications Systems PowerConnect B-RX Release Note

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.
•
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.
•
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.
•
Switch configuration is not allowed to be changed during the entire hitless upgrade process.
•
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.
•
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.
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If there are protocol dependencies between neighboring nodes, it is recommended that only each
node is upgraded: one node at a time.
•
After hitless upgrade, the BigIron RX Series switch will still have the same running configuration
as it does before the upgrade. A configuration that is not saved before hitless reload is not
removed and the existing startup configuration does not take effect. This behavior is the same as
displayed by the management module switchover feature.

The Hitless OS Layer 2 software process

Hitless OS Layer 2 upgrade of Multi-Service IronWare software is performed in the following steps.
•
Version 02.3.00 or later of the Multi-Service IronWare software is installed in flash memory to
the primary and secondary image on the active and standby management modules and interface
modules.
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The hitless-reload command is executed on the active management module.
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The hitless upgrade process is started on the active management module which initiates the
upgrade process on the standby management module.
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The standby management module is reset.
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The active management module is reset and the standby management module assumes control as
the active module.
•
Active console control is lost to the previously active management module as it becomes the
standby management module.
•
The active management module initiates the upgrade process on all interface modules.
•
The switch is now operating on the new Multi-Service IronWare software. The management
module that was initially configured as the standby management module is now the active
management module and the management module that was initially configured as the active
management module is now the standby.
IronWare Software Release 02.8.00a for Brocade BigIron RX Series Swtches
Release Notes v 1.0 Page 27 of 40