MSM710 Upgrade Options: 5.7.4.0 vs. 6.0.2.0

[mteague]

I currently have an MSM710 (w/ 5 controlled MSM422s) running 5.3.6.0-01-8252. I was interested in the band steering option so started looking into the firmware upgrade options.

What are the differences between 5.7.4.0 and 6.0.2.0? Is there a reason to choose one over the other?

Are there any intermediate versions that should be installed first or can I upgrade direct from 5.3.6.0?

Is the configuration retained after the upgrade or will I need to reconfigure the MSM710 from factory?

[lightxx1980]

Your original config is retained AND converted when migrating from V5 to V6. 

That means even though the config format changed between those versions you can downgrade any time and still have a working V5 config version.

Don't know about direct vs. intermediate updates.

One thing though, when moving to V6 we found quite a many bugs, some of them pretty nasty. So I'd suggest you either stay at V5 or test V6 in a lab before going productive.

[Arimo]

Hi mteague

You're currently running 5.3.6, so seems to be quite a few years old. Please note that for any MSM device purchased before 1 Aug 2013 FW upgrades are only available if you have a registered, active SW support Care Pack or contract.

If you do have a contract and you do decide to upgrade, I really advise against jumping directly from 5.3 to 5.7 or especially directly to 6. It's a long jump, and isn't likely to go smoothly. Rather take the slow road through 5.4 and 5.5 first (and 5.7, if you go up to 6.0).

As a side note... please note that 6.0.x is the last FW version available for MSM710. It's out of production, so we don't develop for it anymore.

[mteague]

Thanks, lightxx1980. As I don't have a lab unit I can test this with, I'll stick to the v5 firmware.

Arimo, I purchased a care pack last week and just recently had it registered, so I'm good to go. As for taking it slow, the lowest version I see available for download is 5.5.3.0. Would 5.3.6.0 > 5.5.3.0 > 5.7.4.0 be taking it slow enough in your opinion, or should I step through every release available?

Also, I only have MSM422s, so the 5.5.3 STEP ONE download shouldn't apply to me, correct?

[Arimo]

Hi mteague

I'd rather err to the side of caution, so I'd suggest going via 5.4. I've seen it happen that jumping two versions can corrupt the config. Call support and ask for it, since you've got the CarePack you'll get it.

You are right, 5.5.3 step 1 does not apply. It's only applicable if you have MSM430/46x APs and you've been running 5.5.1 on the controller.

[mteague]

I spoke to support about getting access to a 5.4 release and was told the recommended upgrade path for my unit would be 5.3.6 > 5.5.5 > 5.7.3, so that'll be the path I'm taking this Friday. We'll see how it goes.

[mteague]

The 5.3.6 > 5.5.5 > 5.7.3 firmware upgrade went well, no problems at all. Thanks for the help!