IOS-XR Upgrade Procedure

[wj343]

I'm currently running IOS-XR 5.3.4 and would like to upgrade to 6.4.2 with SP3. My questions are:

• Can I upgrade directly from 5.3.4 to 6.4.2 (using the install add/install activate commands) without turbobooting?
• To minimize downtime, can I "install activate" both IOS-XR 6.4.2 and Service Pack 3 at the same exact time? Or do I need to first install 6.4.2 then install SP3 after the reload has been completed, then reload again?

Thanks!

[tkarnani · Accepted solution]

Hi,

yes you can upgrade from 5.3.4 to 6.4.2 directly. there is an issue with code signing but starting from 5.3.4 will help avoid this.

https://www.cisco.com/c/en/us/support/docs/ios-nx-os-software/ios-xr-software/213745-ios-xr-upgrade-changes-certificate-expi.html

yes, you can "install add" 6.4.2 + SP3, then install activate *6.4.2* . this should activate both the 6.4.2 code + the SP at the same time.

one thing to watch out for , is the older generation line cards "Trident" are not supported above 534

https://www.cisco.com/c/en/us/support/docs/routers/asr-9000-series-aggregation-services-routers/116726-qanda-product-00.html#anc2

thanks!

[xr-escalation]

yes and yes. We recommend that you disable FPD auto-upgrade and perform the FPD upgrade manually after the IOS XR upgrade. Have you considered using CSM Server for upgrade orchestration?

/Aleksandar

[AndresSanchez2854]

Hi Aleksandar

why is recommended to disable the fpd auto-upgrade? Is that also true in case of newer IOS XR version too?

Best regards

[Aleksandar Vidakovic]

In either scenario, the new FPD code is the same, the difference is how the upgrade is performed. When FPD auto-upgrade is enabled, FPD is upgraded before IOS XR upgrade, using the logic of the base IOS XR release. If you upgrade IOS XR first, the logic to upgrade FPD is from the new IOS XR release. On 5.3.x the upgrade was not optimal. The logic in later IOS XR releases results in much faster FPD upgrade. Hope this clarifies.