Reviewing The Upgrade Considerations; Updating Sensor Software Image - McAfee M-1250 - Network Security Platform Upgrade Manual

5 Performing Signature Set and Sensor Software upgrade

Reviewing the upgrade considerations

Sensor type
All M-series models except M-1250 and M-1450
N-450
License file requirement
If you plan to configure NAC on your M-series Sensors, then you need an add-on NAC license for each
Sensor that is used for NAC. This requirement does not apply to I-series because from release 6.0,
I-series Sensors do not support NAC. The N-450 does not require any license because it is exclusive
for NAC, which is its native functionality. Similarly, I-series Sensors do not need any licenses for IPS.
Reviewing the upgrade considerations
Review this section carefully before you commence the upgrade process:
Sensor downtime window
It could take around 15 minutes to upgrade a Sensor. Note that this could vary between deployments.
If you have a fail-open setup, then to minimize the downtime, perform the following steps, after the
Sensor software image is downloaded successfully and before a reboot is initiated:
• If you have gigabit ports connected for fail-open, disable the ports to force fail-open.
• If you have fiber ports configured for fail-open, disable the ports to force fail-open.
Miscellaneous important notes
It is very important that you review and understand the following before you proceed:
• Important note regarding I-series Sensors with NAC license
• Changes in the NAC feature
• Changes regarding Alert Filter
• Note on CLI commands
See also
Important note regarding I-series Sensors with NAC license on page 33
Changes regarding Alert Filter on page 34
Changes in the NAC feature on page 34
Note on CLI commands on page 35

Updating Sensor software image

Before you begin the Sensor software upgrade, make sure:
1
You have upgraded the corresponding Manager to release 6.0.
For information on Manager upgrade see, Upgrading the Manager.
2 Your Sensors meet the requirements mentioned in Sensor upgrade requirements.
3 You have read and understood the upgrade considerations discussed in Reviewing the upgrade
considerations (sensor).
44 McAfee Network Security Platform 6.1 Upgrade Guide
®
Required software version
5.1.7.74 or above
5.1.7.135 or above