Prime Collaboration Deployment (PCD) is Cisco’s free tool that can be used for the following tasks:
- Upgrading UC applications
- Migrating UC applications
- Fresh installing UC applications
- COP installation
- Restarting UC applications
In this blog, I will demonstrate how to use Prime Collaboration Deployment (PCD) for upgrading a Unity Connection. Let’s break down the process of upgrading into the following steps:
Task 1: Copy the upgrade files to the PCD SFTP folder (when using the PCD SFTP as the file storage location). I will make another blog on how to use the remote SFTP on PCD.
Task 2: Ensure the cluster to be upgraded is in a discovered state. If not, discover the cluster to be upgraded.
Task 3: Define an upgrade task.
Task 4: Monitor the upgrade.
Task 5: Switch the version of the nodes.
Task 6: Switch the version of the nodes.
Task 1: Copy the upgrade files to the PCD SFTP folder
The files for the upgrade must be available in an SFTP folder. This can be the SFTP folder of the PCD or a remote SFTP. Using a local SFTP folder is helpful when upgrading a remote site, as it avoids sending the files over the WAN.
In this blog, I will use the PCD SFTP (another blog will cover the remote SFTP).
Login Credentials for the PCD SFTP:
- Username: adminsftp
- Password: Same as your PCD login password.
When you log in, it takes you to the root folder where you will find a folder called “Upgrade.” Copy the files to this folder.
Note: The files for the upgrade start with “UCSInstall,” so make sure you copy the correct upgrade files to the folder. Do not copy the bootable image, as the PCD will not detect it as a valid file.
Task 2: Ensure the cluster to be upgraded is in a discovered state
- Login to PCD using the credentials you set:
- Click on the hamburger menu.
- Click on Inventory and choose Clusters.
- Use the quick filter if you have a large number of clusters managed by PCD. Check the current versions on the cluster and ensure the cluster to be upgraded is in the “Discovery state: Successful.”
If the cluster to be upgraded is not discovered, add the cluster by clicking on + Discover Cluster:
- Provide a nickname for the cluster, the IP address details, and the OS admin credentials. NAT is optional if the UC cluster is behind NAT. Then click Next.
- The discovery process will start and may take some time to complete. Once completed, you will see the details of the device and their roles. Click Next and the cluster will be added.
Task 3: Define an upgrade task.
Since the cluster to be upgraded is already discovered by PCD, we need to define an upgrade task.
- Click on the hamburger icon.
- Go to Task and choose Upgrade.
- Click on Add Upgrade Task.
- Give a nickname and click Next.
- Since this is an upgrade, choose the upgrade type as ISO and select the cluster to be upgraded. The details of the nodes will be displayed below; ensure the details of the cluster are as expected.
- Choose the upgrade files by clicking the Browse button. After selecting the files, click Next.
- Set the start time for the upgrade and click Next.
You can set the upgrade to run at a specific time, manually, or immediately. For this example, set the upgrade to run immediately.
Note: The option “Automatically Switch to new version after successful upgrade” will be grayed out for Unity and is only available for the CUCM cluster.
- Specify the run sequence and click Next.
You can set a pause for the upgrade after the publisher is done if needed. To make any changes to the installation sequence, you can edit the actions by clicking on the pencil icons.
- Review the upgrade task and click Finish.
Task 4: Monitor the upgrade.
The upgrade will be happening in the background. Now, we just need to sit back and watch the progress.
- Click the hamburger icon.
- Click on Monitoring.
Once completed, you will see a completion message.
Task 5: Switch the version of the nodes.
- Click on the Hamburger Icon.
- Choose Task and select Switch Versions.
- Add a Switch Versions task.
- Enter a Nickname and click Next.
- Choose the Cluster.
Note:- Review the Inactive versions.
- Set the Start Time and click Next.
- Set the Run Sequence and click Next.
- If you need to modify, click the action by selecting the Pencil Icon.
- Review and click Finish.
Task 6: Monitor the Switch Version.
The switch versions will be happening in the background. Now, we just need to sit back and watch the progress.
- Click the hamburger icon.
- Click on Monitoring.
Once completed, you will see a completion message.