Rebuild Cisco ACI with a new version

[urbinir]

Hi, we have a Cisco ACI in our LAB enviroment with an older version 2.2. We'd like reset/clean all the fabric (n.3 APIC,n.2 Leaf and n.2 Spine) and restart with a new version, the 5.2. Our hardware support it

We don't need the backup of actual configuration because we want re-configure everything (POD, Tenant, policy,..) from scratch. 

Is there a possibility going directly to 5.2 without follow the upgrade path or we must do the upgrade necessarily

jumping from a version to another till arrive at 5.2?

[Robert Burns · Accepted solution]

Assuming the switches all support the version of 5.2 you're targeting, you can upgrade directly.  You have options.  You can either wipe everything first, upgrade APICs, upgrade Switches, or you can upgrade everything first, then wipe the switches.  Both options are fine for a lab enviornment.  I would suggest you confirm the APICs IMC firmware is also brought up to the latest.  This page will show you the Firmware version the APICs should be: https://www.cisco.com/c/en/us/td/docs/switches/datacenter/aci/apic/sw/recommended-release/b_Recommended_Cisco_ACI_Releases.html
If you need to update platform firmware, you just run the Host Update Utility for the respective versions against each APIC (booting them using vMedia).

Robert

[urbinir]

Hi Robert

thank you for the answer

Our switch support 5.2(2) we check here

https://www.cisco.com/c/dam/en/us/td/docs/Website/datacenter/acihwsupport/index.html

Our CIMC firmware is old , version 2.0(9c) 

But it seems is supported. Our idea is anyway to upgrade CIMC firmware  but after upgrade the fabric ACI

Is possible or is better upgrade the CIMC firmware first upgrade ACI?

https://www.cisco.com/c/en/us/td/docs/dcn/aci/apic/5x/release-notes/cisco-apic-release-notes-522.html

Thks

Riccardo

[Robert Burns]

Riccardo,

Typically the IMC firmware would be upgrade after the APIC OS software is upgrade, but again in a lab, shouldn't make much difference.

Robert

[urbinir]

Hi, I'm continuing with the same thread without opening a new one as it is the same ACI fabric as the post

We have updated successfully the 3 APIC controllers at 5.2 and would like to update the Leaf and Spine switches but a doubt has arisen after reading this document 

https://www.ciscolive.com/c/dam/r/ciscolive/global-event/docs/2022/pdf/BRKDCN-2810a.pdf
Since the APICs are connected with a single link to the Leafs, APIC1and APIC2 both connected to Leaf1 and APIC3 connected to Leaf2, can we still continue updating the Leaf switches from the APIC or we must create a dual-homed connection between the APIC and the Leaf switches?

Thanks

[RedNectar · Accepted solution]

Hi @urbinir 

This post is already answered. If the answer didn't answer your question, ask a new one (with reference to this one if necessary)

In the meantime, I'd recommend that you dual home all APICs.  It really should have been part of your initial install.

[urbinir]

Hi RedNectar

thank you, 

So we follow your suggestion and Leaf&Spine switch upgrade was successfully done!

Thks again