Cisco Model D9477 MQAM Modulator Installation Guide

Upgrade Process Overview

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Impact of TVs with QAM Tuners

When upgrading modulators to new releases of software, you must reset the

modulators 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 modulators. The DNCS also activates encryption for

any secure services that were running on the modulators.
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 modulators. This extra step

ensures that no modulator 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 GoQAM Modulators That Carry Broadcast

Sessions (on page 25)



Verifying the Functionality of GoQAM Modulators That Carry xOD or VOD

Sessions (on page 26)

Process Overview

This section provides an overview of the software upgrade process.
Important: You should only upgrade 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 modulator, 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.

Note: For procedures on how to check for the install_pkg tool, see

Verify the

Install Package Exists on the DNCS (on page 29).

2  Determine the configuration (config) files currently in use on your system.
3  Verify the software version associated with the configuration files.
4  Make a backup copy of the current GoQAM configuration file.