Firmware Upgrade from 2.0 (1x) to 2.1 (3a)

[Jasonhall80]

Currently running two UCS environments that are firmware version 2.0 (1x). Can you upgrade from firmware version 2.0 (1x) to 2.1 (3a) without issue?

I ask this because I am finding conflicting information from Cisco support and documentation on their website.

Here is what I see in the "cross-version support" section and my interpretation of this is that you must be at a supported version of 2.0 (4) in order for this to be supported at version 2.1 if you chose to leave your end points one firmware version back. With that being said what happens if you attempt to upgrade to version 2.1 (3a) from 2.0 (1x)? http://www.cisco.com/en/US/docs/unified_computing/ucs/sw/upgrading/from2.0/to2.1/b_UpgradingCiscoUCSFrom2.0To2.1.html#concept_FA40895203734900BAE9649DB0D82986

Anyway...thanks for your support.

[Manuel Velasco]

Hi Jason,

The cross-version supports is in relations with the servers’ firmware level with respect to UCSM infrastructure. In other words, if you are planning to have some severs running a different firmware level than your UCS enviroment you need to pay attention to this. If you are going have all the servers and infrastructure firmware at the same level this doesn’t apply to you.

Having said that, I recommend that you read and understand the release notes and installation guide before proceeding with the firmware upgrade; also on the second link I posted you can find videos that can walk you through this upgrade. (see below)

Release Notes for Cisco UCS Software, Release 2.1

http://www.cisco.com/en/US/docs/unified_computing/ucs/release/notes/UCS_28313.html

Install and Upgrade Guides

http://www.cisco.com/en/US/products/ps10281/prod_installation_guides_list.html

[Jasonhall80]

Greetings,

Thanks for your response! My concern, is when reading  the "Upgrading Cisco UCS from Release 2.0 to Release 2.1" documentation,  page 2 "Cross Version Firmware Support" it states specifcally "If you  upgrade the infrastructure firmware to Cisco UCS, Release 2.1, you can  have firmware on some or all of the servers in a Cisco UCS domain can  remain at the most recent version of Cisco UCS, Release 2.0 (4)". With  that being said the UCS environment I plan to upgrade is currently at  2.0 (1x) not 2.0 (4).......can I proceed to upgrade to version 2.1 (3a)  from 2.0 (1x)? Cisco support is saying yes ,but when I read the documenation it raises a red flag.

Thanks

[Manuel Velasco · Accepted solution]

Yes you can go from 2.0(1x) to 2.1(3a) it will only be a problem if you leave the firmware on your server running firmware 2.0(1x).  You want to make sure that you upgrade all the components in your environment to the same level.  At some point some components on your UCS will be running different version of firmware but that is okay. Just make sure to upgrade everything the same day you upgrade the UCSM, IOM, and fabric interconnects and serves.