HPE 10504 IRF software upgrade question

[NCGnet]

Hi all,

I have been tasked with carrying out a software upgrade on our HPE 10504 switches. We have two 10504 switches in an IRF configuration. They still run the software that was supplied with them, Comware 5 version 5.20 release 1201 which is from 2012. I see the latest version 10500_5.20R1210P03 has no upgrade restrictions on it, so I am assuming that I can just upgrade directly to that version.

My question is, I keep seeing refences to BootWare, it is even mentioned in the release notes with the software version above. It mentions .btw files for the MPU and other boards. Yet the upgrade package only contains a .bin file for the system software image. As far as I know, our switch MPUs are only capable of running Comware 5, so is BootWare even a part of Comware 5? I have looked in the flash:/ areas on the MPUs using the /all switch but cannot see anything that relates to BootWare.

Is the upgrade process simply a case of deleteing (delete /unreserved) the existing .bin files from flash to make enough space for the new .bin file versions, then copying those into the flash drives of the MPUs via tftp, altering the boot loaders on the MPUs for the new image name, and rebooting both switches sychronously using the reboot command?

If the switches don't reboot on the new version, would they fall back to a safe system image?

Apologies if this sounds a bit simplistic, but I haven't attempted the process before and our 10504s form the core of our network, so I need to ensure I have everything correct before I start.

Any help or advice is greatly appreciated!

I should add that our MPU boards are LSU1SUPA0 JC614A which I believe are not capable of running Comware 7, only Comware 5.

[parnassus]

I strongly advise you to first start by documenting the status of your two HP 10504 (display version, display boot and display device) and the status of your IRF (display irf, display irf configuration and display irf topology).

AFAIK ISSU (In-Service Software Upgrade) feature looks like it's not supported (Release Notes reports "unknown") between your actual running software version Comware 5.20 R1201 and any of its newer releases (generally it's not supported between any software Comware 5.20 software version you would consider), latest included Comware 5.20 R1210P03...this mean that you should be prepared to sustain some network downtime since the whole IRF software upgrade procedure will not be hitless for connected devices.

BootWare images, if indipendently provided [*], are used to flash BootWare ROM of various installed cards: Main Processing Units (MPUs), Line Processing Units (LPUs) and switching fabric modules.

[*] You can easily verify...it's totally possible that - between R1201 and R1210P03 - no new BootWare versions were released along with newer Comware system software images (check through Release Notes) to see if BootWare versions changed.

[NCGnet]

Hi Parnassus,

Many thanks for your reply. Below is the output from our switch. I have had to try and edit them so they reflect the actual output format of the switch as characters were bunched up together.

It may be that no Bootware updates have been released for Comware 5, something I will check,  in which case I assume it it simply a case of deleting the previous system software .bin files from each MPU flash and putting on the newer .bin files in their place.via FTP or TFTP, updating the boot-loader on each MPU to point to the new .bin files and reboot the switches. As I understand it in an IRF configuration no ISSU updates are available so I know it does mean a little downtime for the business and they are aware it would need to be an out-of-hours operation.

I just need to be sure that I have the process documented and everything to hand before I start and have an idea of what I need to do.

<SW-Data-Core>dis version
HP Comware Platform Software
Comware Software, Version 5.20.105, Release 1201
Copyright (c) 2010-2012 Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.
HP 10504 uptime is 56 weeks, 1 day, 0 hour, 3 minutes

MPU(S) Chassis 1 Slot 0:
Uptime is 56 weeks,0 days,23 hours,47 minutes
HP 10504 LPU with 1 XLS408 Processor
BOARD TYPE: LSU1SUPA0
DRAM: 1024M bytes
FLASH: 128M bytes
NVRAM: 512K bytes
PCB 1 Version: VER.A
Bootware Version: 200
CPLD 1 Version: 004
CPLD 2 Version: 004
CPLD 3 Version: 004
Release Version: HP 10504-1201
Patch Version : None

MPU(S) Chassis 1 Slot 1:
Uptime is 56 weeks,0 days,23 hours,44 minutes
HP 10504 LPU with 1 XLS408 Processor
BOARD TYPE: LSU1SUPA0
DRAM: 1024M bytes
FLASH: 128M bytes
NVRAM: 512K bytes
PCB 1 Version: VER.A
Bootware Version: 200
CPLD 1 Version: 004
CPLD 2 Version: 004
CPLD 3 Version: 004
Release Version: HP 10504-1201
Patch Version : None

LPU Chassis 1 Slot 2:
Uptime is 56 weeks,0 days,23 hours,38 minutes
HP 10504 LPU with 1 XLS408 Processor
BOARD TYPE: LSU1GT48SE0
DRAM: 1024M bytes
FLASH: 0M bytes
NVRAM: 0K bytes
PCB 1 Version: VER.B
Bootware Version: 511
CPLD 1 Version: 003
Release Version: HP 10504-1201
Patch Version : None

LPU Chassis 1 Slot 3:
Uptime is 56 weeks,0 days,23 hours,45 minutes
HP 10504 LPU with 1 XLS408 Processor
BOARD TYPE: LSU1TGS32SF0
DRAM: 1024M bytes
FLASH: 0M bytes
NVRAM: 0K bytes
PCB 1 Version: VER.A
Bootware Version: 511
CPLD 1 Version: 004
CPLD 2 Version: 004
Release Version: HP 10504-1201
Patch Version : None

LPU Chassis 1 Slot 4:
Uptime is 56 weeks,0 days,23 hours,45 minutes
HP 10504 LPU with 1 XLS408 Processor
BOARD TYPE: LSU1TGS32SF0
DRAM: 1024M bytes
FLASH: 0M bytes
NVRAM: 0K bytes
PCB 1 Version: VER.A
Bootware Version: 511
CPLD 1 Version: 004
CPLD 2 Version: 004
Release Version: HP 10504-1201
Patch Version : None

Chassis 1 Slot 5 Without Board

LPU Chassis 1 Slot 6:
Uptime is 56 weeks,0 days,23 hours,49 minutes
HP 10504 LPU with 1 XLS208 Processor
BOARD TYPE: LSU1FAB04B0
DRAM: 1024M bytes
FLASH: 0M bytes
NVRAM: 0K bytes
PCB 1 Version: VER.B
Bootware Version: 511
CPLD 1 Version: 002
Release Version: HP 10504-1201
Patch Version : None

LPU Chassis 1 Slot 7:
Uptime is 56 weeks,0 days,23 hours,53 minutes
HP 10504 LPU with 1 XLS208 Processor
BOARD TYPE: LSU1FAB04B0
DRAM: 1024M bytes
FLASH: 0M bytes
NVRAM: 0K bytes
PCB 1 Version: VER.B
Bootware Version: 511
CPLD 1 Version: 002
Release Version: HP 10504-1201
Patch Version : None

LPU Chassis 1 Slot 8:
Uptime is 56 weeks,0 days,23 hours,48 minutes
HP 10504 LPU with 1 XLS208 Processor
BOARD TYPE: LSU1FAB04B0
DRAM: 1024M bytes
FLASH: 0M bytes
NVRAM: 0K bytes
PCB 1 Version: VER.B
Bootware Version: 511
CPLD 1 Version: 002
Release Version: HP 10504-1201
Patch Version : None

LPU Chassis 1 Slot 9:
Uptime is 56 weeks,0 days,23 hours,49 minutes
HP 10504 LPU with 1 XLS208 Processor
BOARD TYPE: LSU1FAB04B0
DRAM: 1024M bytes
FLASH: 0M bytes
NVRAM: 0K bytes
PCB 1 Version: VER.B
Bootware Version: 511
CPLD 1 Version: 002
Release Version: HP 10504-1201
Patch Version : None

MPU(M) Chassis 2 Slot 0:
Uptime is 56 weeks,1 days,0 hours,3 minutes
HP 10504 MPU(M) with 1 XLS408 Processor
BOARD TYPE: LSU1SUPA0
DRAM: 1024M bytes
FLASH: 128M bytes
NVRAM: 512K bytes
PCB 1 Version: VER.A
Bootware Version: 200
CPLD 1 Version: 004
CPLD 2 Version: 004
CPLD 3 Version: 004
Release Version: HP 10504-1201
Patch Version : None

MPU(S) Chassis 2 Slot 1:
Uptime is 56 weeks,1 days,0 hours,2 minutes
HP 10504 LPU with 1 XLS408 Processor
BOARD TYPE: LSU1SUPA0
DRAM: 1024M bytes
FLASH: 128M bytes
NVRAM: 512K bytes
PCB 1 Version: VER.A
Bootware Version: 200
CPLD 1 Version: 004
CPLD 2 Version: 004
CPLD 3 Version: 004
Release Version: HP 10504-1201
Patch Version : None

LPU Chassis 2 Slot 2:
Uptime is 56 weeks,0 days,23 hours,56 minutes
HP 10504 LPU with 1 XLS408 Processor
BOARD TYPE: LSU1GT48SE0
DRAM: 1024M bytes
FLASH: 0M bytes
NVRAM: 0K bytes
PCB 1 Version: VER.B
Bootware Version: 511
CPLD 1 Version: 003
Release Version: HP 10504-1201
Patch Version : None

LPU Chassis 2 Slot 3:
Uptime is 56 weeks,1 days,0 hours,1 minutes
HP 10504 LPU with 1 XLS408 Processor
BOARD TYPE: LSU1TGS32SF0
DRAM: 1024M bytes
FLASH: 0M bytes
NVRAM: 0K bytes
PCB 1 Version: VER.A
Bootware Version: 511
CPLD 1 Version: 004
CPLD 2 Version: 004
Release Version: HP 10504-1201
Patch Version : None

LPU Chassis 2 Slot 4:
Uptime is 56 weeks,1 days,0 hours,2 minutes
HP 10504 LPU with 1 XLS408 Processor
BOARD TYPE: LSU1TGS32SF0
DRAM: 1024M bytes
FLASH: 0M bytes
NVRAM: 0K bytes
PCB 1 Version: VER.A
Bootware Version: 511
CPLD 1 Version: 004
CPLD 2 Version: 004
Release Version: HP 10504-1201
Patch Version : None

Chassis 2 Slot 5 Without Board

LPU Chassis 2 Slot 6:
Uptime is 56 weeks,1 days,0 hours,6 minutes
HP 10504 LPU with 1 XLS208 Processor
BOARD TYPE: LSU1FAB04B0
DRAM: 1024M bytes
FLASH: 0M bytes
NVRAM: 0K bytes
PCB 1 Version: VER.B
Bootware Version: 511
CPLD 1 Version: 002
Release Version: HP 10504-1201
Patch Version : None

LPU Chassis 2 Slot 7:
Uptime is 56 weeks,1 days,0 hours,9 minutes
HP 10504 LPU with 1 XLS208 Processor
BOARD TYPE: LSU1FAB04B0
DRAM: 1024M bytes
FLASH: 0M bytes
NVRAM: 0K bytes
PCB 1 Version: VER.B
Bootware Version: 511
CPLD 1 Version: 002
Release Version: HP 10504-1201
Patch Version : None

LPU Chassis 2 Slot 8:
Uptime is 56 weeks,1 days,0 hours,4 minutes
HP 10504 LPU with 1 XLS208 Processor
BOARD TYPE: LSU1FAB04B0
DRAM: 1024M bytes
FLASH: 0M bytes
NVRAM: 0K bytes
PCB 1 Version: VER.B
Bootware Version: 511
CPLD 1 Version: 002
Release Version: HP 10504-1201
Patch Version : None

LPU Chassis 2 Slot 9:
Uptime is 56 weeks,1 days,0 hours,4 minutes
HP 10504 LPU with 1 XLS208 Processor
BOARD TYPE: LSU1FAB04B0
DRAM: 1024M bytes
FLASH: 0M bytes
NVRAM: 0K bytes
PCB 1 Version: VER.B
Bootware Version: 511
CPLD 1 Version: 002
Release Version: HP 10504-1201
Patch Version : None

<SW-Data-Core>dis boot-loader
The primary app to boot of chassis 1 board 0 at this time is: flash:/10500-CMW520-R1201.BIN
The primary app to boot of chassis 1 board 0 at next time is: flash:/10500-CMW520-R1201.BIN
The slave app to boot of chassis 1 board 0 at next time is: flash:/backup.bin
The primary app to boot of chassis 1 board 1 at this time is: flash:/10500-CMW520-R1201.BIN
The primary app to boot of chassis 1 board 1 at next time is: flash:/10500-CMW520-R1201.BIN
The slave app to boot of chassis 1 board 1 at next time is: flash:/backup.bin
The primary app to boot of chassis 2 board 0 at this time is: flash:/10500-CMW520-R1201.BIN
The primary app to boot of chassis 2 board 0 at next time is: flash:/10500-CMW520-R1201.BIN
The slave app to boot of chassis 2 board 0 at next time is: flash:/backup.bin
The primary app to boot of chassis 2 board 1 at this time is: flash:/10500-CMW520-R1201.BIN
The primary app to boot of chassis 2 board 1 at next time is: flash:/10500-CMW520-R1201.BIN
The slave app to boot of chassis 2 board 1 at next time is: flash:/backup.bin

<SW-Data-Core>dis device
Chassis Slot Type State Subslot Soft Ver Patch Ver
1 0 LSU1SUPA0 Slave 0 10500-1201 None
1 1 LSU1SUPA0 Slave 0 10500-1201 None
1 2 LSU1GT48SE0 Normal 0 10500-1201 None
1 3 LSU1TGS32SF0 Normal 0 10500-1201 None
1 4 LSU1TGS32SF0 Normal 0 10500-1201 None
1 5 NONE Absent 0 NONE None
1 6 LSU1FAB04B0 Normal 0 10500-1201 None
1 7 LSU1FAB04B0 Normal 0 10500-1201 None
1 8 LSU1FAB04B0 Normal 0 10500-1201 None
1 9 LSU1FAB04B0 Normal 0 10500-1201 None
2 0 LSU1SUPA0 Master 0 10500-1201 None
2 1 LSU1SUPA0 Slave 0 10500-1201 None
2 2 LSU1GT48SE0 Normal 0 10500-1201 None
2 3 LSU1TGS32SF0 Normal 0 10500-1201 None
2 4 LSU1TGS32SF0 Normal 0 10500-1201 None
2 5 NONE Absent 0 NONE None
2 6 LSU1FAB04B0 Normal 0 10500-1201 None
2 7 LSU1FAB04B0 Normal 0 10500-1201 None
2 8 LSU1FAB04B0 Normal 0 10500-1201 None
2 9 LSU1FAB04B0 Normal 0 10500-1201 None

<SW-Data-Core>dis irf
MemberID      Slot      Role      Priority      CPU-Mac         Description
1                         0       Slave         32     00e0-fc0a-15e0   Cab2
1                          1       Slave         32     00e0-fc0f-8c02   Cab2
*+2                     0     Master        30     00e0-fc0f-8c13    Cab17
2                          1      Slave          30    00e0-fc0f-8c14    Cab17
--------------------------------------------------

* indicates the device is the master.
+ indicates the device through which the user logs in.

The Bridge MAC of the IRF is: b8af-6764-8ec0
Auto upgrade : no
Mac persistent : always
Domain ID : 1
Auto merge : no

<SW-Data-Core>dis irf configuration
MemberID  NewID IRF-Port1                                               IRF-Port2
1                      1       Ten-GigabitEthernet1/3/0/29             disable
                                Ten-GigabitEthernet1/3/0/30
                                Ten-GigabitEthernet1/3/0/31
                                Ten-GigabitEthernet1/3/0/32
                                Ten-GigabitEthernet1/4/0/29
                                Ten-GigabitEthernet1/4/0/30
                                Ten-GigabitEthernet1/4/0/31
                                Ten-GigabitEthernet1/4/0/32
2                    2         disable                                                Ten-GigabitEthernet2/3/0/29
                                                                                             Ten-GigabitEthernet2/3/0/30
                                                                                             Ten-GigabitEthernet2/3/0/31
                                                                                             Ten-GigabitEthernet2/3/0/32
                                                                                             Ten-GigabitEthernet2/4/0/29
                                                                                             Ten-GigabitEthernet2/4/0/30
                                                                                             Ten-GigabitEthernet2/4/0/31
                                                                                             Ten-GigabitEthernet2/4/0/32

<SW-Data-Core>dis irf topology
                                          Topology Info
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
             IRF-Port1                                                IRF-Port2
MemberID      Link                   neighbor   Link     neighbor            Belong To
2                      DIS                            --        UP            1                00e0-fc0f-8c13
1                       UP                             2        DIS           --               00e0-fc0f-8c13