Upgrade from CUCM 8.6 to CUCM 11.0

[Saeedi4cert]

Hello guys I have an upgrade case from CUCM 8.6 to CUCM 11.0 , I read about the upgrade process and how it can be done from different resources ( Cisco , googling , YouTube ..etc), please check if it is correct before starting for upgrade.

I got to following steps :

• Take backup from the existing cluster CUCM 8.6 through DRS Disaster Recovery System.

• Download the following files from cisco websites :

•   ciscocm.version3-keys.cop.sgn                                            to sign the updates

• ciscocm.vmware-disk-size-reallocation-1.0.cop.sgn    to change VM settings.

• Upload the above files to CUCM 8.6 through OS Administration using FTP server ( Core FTP).

• Change the VM setting for CUCM 8.6 to the specs required by CUCM 11.0

• Change CPU.

• Change Hard disk.

• Change Network Card.

• Change Guest OS

• Insert media of CUCM 11.0 into the DVD/CD or make it via remote Network.

• Go to install and upgrade then upgrade will start

Now during upgrade I need to understand why I have to change Network Card from VMNIC to VMXNET 3, and the way to change it.

I have the following questions :

• Why I need to change the settings of Network card from VMNIC to VMXNET 3 ?

• After complete upgrade process what about TFTP firmware for phones , phones have firmware for CUCM 8.6 after upgrade is it possible to take CUCM 11.0 firmware directly without configuration if not what is the required configuration to shift all phones to the new firmware, is it possible to let phones working on the previous firmware ( CUCM 8.6 firmware ) ??? What is the best way to change it ???

• Recommend me about Licensing.

• On the cluster I have CUCM, CUC, CUPS is it possible to integrate CUC 8.6 with CUCM 11.0 ?

Thanks on advance .

[Manish Gogna]

All the pre-upgrade, upgrade and post-upgrade tasks are listed in the upgrade guide for CUCM 11.x. The following link explains how to edit the VM settings before upgrade depending on various factors, the change to VMXNET 3 adapter type is required

http://www.cisco.com/c/en/us/td/docs/voice_ip_comm/cucm/upgrade/11_5_1/cucm_b_upgrade-guide-cucm-115/cucm_b_upgrade-guide-cucm-115_chapter_0101.html

Phone firmware should ideally be upgraded prior to the cucm upgrade as all the phones trying to upgrade at the same time after the cucm upgrade can cause issues if the number of phones is too large or if the phones are apread over WAN links with limited bandwidth with no local TFTP access. You can check the default firmware on IP phones  the target cucm version and upgrade to that before proceeding with the upgrade.

Licensing queries should directly be sent to licensing@cisco.com as they will be able to provide the required licenses once you upgrade.

CUC 8.6 will work with all cucm version 11.x.

Cisco Unity Connection	Cisco Unified Communications Manager
8.5 and later	8.5 (1) and later

https://www.cisco.com/c/en/us/td/docs/voice_ip_comm/connection/compatibility/matrix/b_cucclientmtx.html​

HTH

Manish

[Suresh Hudda]

+5 to Manish for sharing nice info, you should also watch below video recorded by Jaime for more clarity on actual upgrade..it's like a live demo.

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=Ml_z4YUgsBw

Suresh

[Saeedi4cert]

thanks Manish Gogna for valuable info, can you explain me how to upgrade phone firmware from firmware that is work on version 8.6 to firmware that is working on version 11.0 

appreciate  your response 

[Jaime Valencia]

Pretty much any phone FW file you can download will be CUCM 7.x+ compatible, all you have to do is install them via OS admin.

[Saeedi4cert]

Mr. Jaime Valencia from where i have to download them please i know how to upload and install them via OS admin but the question from where i have to download them also how i know i have downloaded the correct firmware. 

appreciate response 

[Jaime Valencia]

Release notes contain what FW has been updated, they're all at the downloads site on cisco.com

cisco.com -> support -> all downloads

[Leszek Wojnarski]

This is also nice resource when preparing and doing an upgrade to 11 (attached).

Leszek