Upgrading VCS X7.2.2 to X8.10.3

[bejoy.cisco]

Hi All, 

We are planning to upgrade our VCS from v X7.2.2 to X8.10.3. Got few question on this upgrade. 

* Is this gonna be a direct upgrade ?

* IS there any major architecture change ?

* Does the FW rules needs to be changed after this upgrade (another thread says this is required) 

* Please share the VCS upgrade path doc, if there is one (couldn't fine any) 

Regards

Bejoy

[Aman Soi]

Hi Bejoy,

I did one upgrade my LAB from x7.x to X8.1.1 [direct upgrade] and, then, x8.7.x on Appliance and was  successful.

You need to have licenses for doing this major upgrade from 7 to 8.No major architecture was done and no firewall rules /ports were added for my existing setup.

regds,

aman

[bejoy.cisco]

Hi Aman,
Thanks for your reply.

[Wayne DeNardi]

I'd recommend that you check the version of the hardware you are running the VCS on (if it's not a Virtual Machine) as there is a limitation to which software versions are supported on some of the older hardware.

X8.10.3 is not supported on the 1st generation Cisco VCS hardware, ie those with serial numbers starting with 52A#####.  

In fact, if you have a serial number of 52A0####, then the most recent version of software that is supported on these original devices is X8.7.n

If you have a 52A1#### or 52A2#### device, then you can run up to X8.8.2

A 52B#####, or a Virtual Machine, can run the latest release.

But, to address some of your specific questions:

* Is this gonna be a direct upgrade ?

Yes, if your hardware platform is capable (as above), then it is possible to do this directly

* IS there any major architecture change ?

No

* Does the FW rules needs to be changed after this upgrade (another thread says this is required) 

No, an upgrade will continue to use the same ports as it currently does. Some thought should be put in to making the updates to some of the older port ranges and modifying the VCS to use the new ranges to allow future upgrades or additions to be performed more easily.

* Please share the VCS upgrade path doc, if there is one (couldn't fine any) 

The guide to use will differ depending on whether your VCS is a single device, or in a cluster. If a cluster, refer to the Cisco VCS Cluster Creation and Maintenance Deployment Guide (there isn't a X8.10.x one - but the X8.9.2 guide is still relevant).  If it's a single VCS, then there is a video here in the forums: Cisco VCS Server Upgrade Procedure

Note: as you're upgrading from X7 to X8, you will need a new Relase Key. 

[Patrick Sparkman]

It's up to you how you want to upgrade the VCS and path you take, some do incremental upgrades, while others go direct, unless the release notes specify, you usually can go either way.

There were some firewall port changes between X7 and X8, be sure to check all VCS Release Notes from X7.2.2 to X8.10.3 so you have an understanding on what all features were added/removed/changed as well as any limitations that might affect you.

Because you'll be upgrading from one major version X7 to another X8, you'll require a release key. If the VCS is covered under an active support contract, you can request a release key from the Cisco License Portal > Get Licenses > TelePresence software release key.