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Updating firmware on Dell Powerconnect 6248p Stack
Hi,
I need to upgrade the firmware on the switches on my stack, the stack consists of 3 Powerconnect 6248p switches all currently running firmware version 3.2.1.3.
I am planning on stacking in a 4th switch which is currently running 3.3.1.10 so I need to update my existing stack prior to doing this.
I would like to use automatic update and upgrade the firmware on the master switch which will then upgrade the rest of the stack but the issue I am having is that the Dell documentation tells me to enable firmware synchronization using the command "boot auto-copy-sw" from the cli, however this does not seem to exist at all?
Can anyone advise ?
Thanks
Steve
Anonymous
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May 3rd, 2013 09:00
The documentation listed here.
www.dell.com/.../pwcnt_stacking_switches.pdf
Is a bit outdated. The command listed is no longer part of the 6200 firmware/CLI. By default the master switch will try and push any updated firmware to the other switches in the stack, no need to run a command.
Cheers.
sketchy00
203 Posts
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May 3rd, 2013 12:00
Out of practical experience from doing this task you describe, here is what I've done - which has worked very well. If you have a stand alone switch that you will be adding to a stack, just do a firmware update on that first in order to get up to the latest. Then, when your maintenance window allows, go ahead and update the firmware on the existing stack. The last step is to add the standalone switch to the stack.
Kedzz
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May 4th, 2013 12:00
That's great thanks for the advice guys,Sketchy00 - just out of curiosity wouldn't it be better adding the switch to stack on the same firmware as it is now then just doing the whole stack firmware upgrade in one go ?
For info the switch I am adding into the stack is currently live in our enviroment as a standalone satellite switch at the moment - which brings me to another question, will the existing configuration on the "new" switch be overwritten once its added to the stack ? or should I restore it to factory setting prior to adding it ?
Thanks very much for your help so far.
sketchy00
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May 4th, 2013 17:00
Well, it's not all that much different. The thinking for getting the latest standalone switch up to the latest firmware, then get the stack up to the latest, then adding it to the stack, is that if the firmware updates address issues with stacking (not uncommon), then it conceivably reduced the possibility of introducing issues. Again though, it's not all that much different.
I my case, I went with this approach because I also wanted to solidify our internal documentation so that if someone else had to do the same thing (either firmware updates, or adding a switch to a stack), they could get a predictable result. You will find adding a switch to the stack quite easy, and non disruptive. After following the good Dell docs for adding a switch to the stack, your new switch might need a tweak to get it to be recognized in the stack. Blank out the config on the new switch, then do the following to the standalone switch:
config
stack
stack-port 1/xg1 stack
stack-port 1/xg2 stack
exit
exit
copy running-config startup-config
Kedzz
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May 8th, 2013 01:00
Thanks again SKETCHY00 - However I have hit another stumbling block
When I change the ports to stack as per your post above and copy the running config to startup I end up with this...
# show stack-portConfigured RunningStack Stack Link LinkUnit Interface Mode Mode Status Speed (Gb/s)---- ---------------- ---------- ---------- ------------ ------------1 xg1 Stack Ethernet Link Down Unknown1 xg2 Stack Ethernet Link Down Unknown1 xg3 Ethernet Ethernet Link Down Unknown1 xg4 Ethernet Ethernet Link Down UnknownI then reload the switch and it comes back up with the default configuration# show stack-portConfigured RunningStack Stack Link LinkUnit Interface Mode Mode Status Speed (Gb/s)---- ---------------- ---------- ---------- ------------ ------------1 xg1 Ethernet Ethernet Link Down Unknown1 xg2 Ethernet Ethernet Link Down Unknown1 xg3 Ethernet Ethernet Link Down Unknown1 xg4 Ethernet Ethernet Link Down Unknownso i'm worried that when I add this to the stack its not going to recognise it as it keeps reverting back to EthernetAny ideas?ThanksAnonymous
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May 8th, 2013 07:00
There is no need to make any configuration changes before adding the switch to the stack. Simply have the switched powered off, plug in the stacking cables to the switch and stack, then power on the switch. It will automatically detect the stack connections and become part of the stack.
You are probably seeing the change from stack to ethernet because after the reboot of the switch the ports are not detecting a stack connection and automatically reverting back to ethernet. But once the switch boots up with the stack ports connected, it will detect that and automatically change to stack mode.
Kedzz
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May 8th, 2013 07:00
Cheers Daniel that's what I was hoping to hear !