MDS 9509 san-os to nx-os upgrade.

[mark.vollmer]

Our storage network is based on MDS 9509 directors running 3.3(5).  I would like to upgrade from san-os to nx-os to support 8GB FC modules.  I am looking for a stable version of nx-os.  We have Supervisor/Fabric-2 installed.  Should I be looking at 4.x or 5.x?  Why?

example config....

Mod  Ports  Module-Type                      Model              Status
---  -----  -------------------------------- ------------------ ------------
1    48     1/2/4 Gbps FC Module             DS-X9148           ok
5    0      Supervisor/Fabric-2              DS-X9530-SF2-K9    active *
6    0      Supervisor/Fabric-2              DS-X9530-SF2-K9    ha-standby
7    48     1/2/4 Gbps FC Module             DS-X9148           ok

[hershal06]

We've been running 4.2(7b) all year and haven't had any issues, no 8GB modules though. We're using IVR, NPIV, FCIP on these switches.

To get to 5.0(x) via nondisruptive upgrade you'll need to upgrade to 4.x first. And to get to 5.2(x) you need to get to 5.0(x) first.

[Filiph Westman]

It also depends what 8Gbps modules you plan to install. The new advanced (gen4) modules (DS-X92xx-256K9) were introduced with the 5.2 release while the other 8Gbps (gen3) will be happy with 4.x.

.

One reason to skip the last steps to 5.x and stay at 4.2x would be that you had some older modules installed,  but that seems not to be the case here.

- filiph

[Vu Phan]

Hello Mark,

NX-OS Release 4.2.7a-e will work just fine. I would go with 4.2.7e, it is the most bug fixes.

NX-OS 5.x.x will provide more features and support for the new Gen 4 hardware. You can alsways upgrade to this release in the future when needed.

In order to user Gen 3 Line Card, (DS-X9224 or DS-X9248) you will need a minimum of 4.1.3a release and a must COLD BOOT (switch reload).  The reload will change the switch mode from Bitmap mode to DB mode. This will open the back-end bandwidth to support Gen 3 Line Card.