Cisco Cisco Expressway Maintenance Manual
The main component is the System platform, and when upgraded this will typically include automatic upgrades of
some or all of the other components. However, you can independently upgrade the other components if required to
do so. The upgrade process ensures that compatibility is maintained across all components.
some or all of the other components. However, you can independently upgrade the other components if required to
do so. The upgrade process ensures that compatibility is maintained across all components.
Upgrade prerequisites
The upgrade requires you to have:
■
a valid Release key, if you are upgrading to the next major release of the System platform, for example from
X8.1 to X9.0; it is not required for dot releases, for example X8.1 to X8.2
X8.1 to X9.0; it is not required for dot releases, for example X8.1 to X8.2
■
a software image file for the component you want to upgrade, and it is stored in a network location that is
locally accessible from your client computer; use the standard .tar.gz software image file when upgrading a
virtual machine (the .ova file is only required for the initial install of the Expressway software on VMware)
locally accessible from your client computer; use the standard .tar.gz software image file when upgrading a
virtual machine (the .ova file is only required for the initial install of the Expressway software on VMware)
■
release notes for the software version you are upgrading to — additional manual steps may be required
Contact your Cisco representative for more information on how to obtain these.
Backing up before upgrading
page.
Upgrading and option keys
All existing option keys are retained through the upgrade from one version of the System platform to the next,
including upgrades to the next major release. However, you are recommended to take note of your existing option
keys before performing the upgrade.
including upgrades to the next major release. However, you are recommended to take note of your existing option
keys before performing the upgrade.
New features may also become available with each major release of the System platform component, and you may
need to install new option keys to take advantage of these new features. Contact your Cisco representative for more
information on all the options available for the latest release of Expressway software.
need to install new option keys to take advantage of these new features. Contact your Cisco representative for more
information on all the options available for the latest release of Expressway software.
Installing and rebooting
Upgrading the System platform component is a two-stage process. First, the new software image is uploaded onto
the Expressway. At the same time, the current configuration of the system is recorded, so that this can be restored
after the upgrade. During this initial stage the system will continue running on its existing software version, and all
normal system processes will continue.
the Expressway. At the same time, the current configuration of the system is recorded, so that this can be restored
after the upgrade. During this initial stage the system will continue running on its existing software version, and all
normal system processes will continue.
The second part of the upgrade involves rebooting the system. It is only during the reboot that the Expressway installs
the new software version and restores the previous configuration. Rebooting causes all current calls to terminate.
the new software version and restores the previous configuration. Rebooting causes all current calls to terminate.
This means that you can upload the new software at any time, and then wait until a convenient moment (for example,
when no calls are taking place) to switch to the new version by rebooting the system.
when no calls are taking place) to switch to the new version by rebooting the system.
Note:
Any configuration changes you make between the software upload and the reboot will be lost when the system
restarts using the new software version.
The upgrade of components other than the System platform does not involve a system reboot, however the services
provided by that component will be temporarily stopped while the upgrade process completes.
provided by that component will be temporarily stopped while the upgrade process completes.
Upgrading Expressway Software
The Upgrade page (Maintenance > Upgrade) is used to install new (or to downgrade) versions of Expressway
software components.
software components.
To upgrade a component using the web interface:
1.
Review the relevant release notes to see if any special steps are required either before or after installing the
software image file.
software image file.
2.
Go to the Upgrade page (Maintenance > Upgrade).
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Cisco Expressway Administrator Guide