Best practices for upgrading firmware

[Anonymous]

What are the best practices for upgrading fimware on Netvanta switches when there is not enough space to keep multiple versions?

[Anonymous · Accepted solution]

@cjones - Thank you for asking that question. Probably the best feature to use when upgrading firmware on a device that does not have enough space for multiple versions is to use Safemode Download. This feature allows for the creation of volatile RAM disk on the NetVanta device. This feautre, however, is available on a limited number of NetVanta devices. Currently, this feature is available on the 1st generation 123x switches. Instructions on how to enable Safemode Download and upgrade firmware are available in the document below:

Safemode Download - https://supportforums.adtran.com/docs/DOC-2315

This feature was introduced to help in avoiding the risks one runs into when deleting the primary firmware image. First, the NetVanta will continue to function even if the primary firmware image is deleted as long as the NetVanta device is NOT rebooted before a new firmware image has been uploaded and applied as the primary.

If you find yourself having to upgrade the firmware without using the Safemode Download feature, you will want to be sure you have a console cable available in case there is some interruption while the firmware file is being uploaded. If the NetVanta device power cycles for any reason during an upload, it will be unable to boot fully and will come back into bootstrap. You will need the console cable to upload the firmware using xmodem while in bootstrap. Instructions on how to do this can be found in the document below:

Upgrading AOS Firmware - https://supportforums.adtran.com/docs/DOC-1672

Let us know if you have any other questions.

Thanks,

Noor

[Anonymous]

@cjones - I marked the question as "assumed answered".   Please, do not hesitate to let us know if you have any further questions.

Thanks,

Noor

[Anonymous]

:

I went ahead and flagged the "Correct Answer" on this post to make it more visible and help other members of the community find solutions more easily. If you don't feel like the answer I marked was correct, feel free to come back to this post and unmark it and select another in its place with the applicable buttons.  If you still need assistance, we would be more than happy to continue working with you on this - just let us know in a reply.

Thanks,

Levi