Cisco Headend System Release 2.7 Installation Guide
Upgrade Process Overview
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Impact of TVs with QAM Tuners
When upgrading MQAMs to new releases of software, you must reset the MQAMs
in order for the devices to download the new software from the DNCS. When the
software download is complete, the DNCS then recreates any broadcast sessions that
were active on the MQAMs. The DNCS also activates encryption for any secure
services that were running on the MQAMs.
An increasing number of TVs are being manufactured and sold with QAM tuners
An increasing number of TVs are being manufactured and sold with QAM tuners
that can access services that are not properly encrypted. Therefore, as a part of the
upgrade process, we encourage you to verify that the DNCS re-establishes
encryption for all secure services on the upgraded MQAMs. This extra step ensures
that no MQAM that may be carrying content inappropriate for children can be
viewed inadvertently when using a TV that is equipped with a QAM tuner. For
additional information, refer to the following procedures:
Verifying the Functionality of MQAM Modulators That Carry Broadcast
Sessions (on page 29)
Verifying the Functionality of MQAM Modulators That Carry xOD or VOD
Sessions (on page 30)
Process Overview
This section provides an overview of the process required to upgrade to MQAM
2.6.18.
Important: You should only upgrade MQAMs to new releases of software if your
Important: You should only upgrade MQAMs to new releases of software if your
network is running in a healthy state (for example, a system can boot and stage set-
tops). If your network is not in a healthy state, you should not upgrade to the new
release of software unless the new release contains a remedy to your system issue.
CAUTION:
If you are upgrading more than one MQAM, download the new software to
If you are upgrading more than one MQAM, download the new software to
one modulator group (for example, all modulators in a single rack or hub)
and verify its functionality before attempting to download the software to
another modulator group. Verifying the functionality of one modulator
group at a time enables you to better isolate any failures that may occur and
enables you to minimize service interruptions.
Pre-Upgrade Tasks
Important: Performing the pre-upgrade tasks will not impact system performance.
1 Verify that the install tool (install_pkg) exists on the DNCS.
Important: Performing the pre-upgrade tasks will not impact system performance.
1 Verify that the install tool (install_pkg) exists on the DNCS.
Note: For procedures on how to check for the install_pkg tool, see
Verify the
Install Package Exists on the DNCS (on page 33).
2 Determine the configuration (config) files currently in use on your system.
3 Verify the software version associated with the configuration files.
3 Verify the software version associated with the configuration files.