Here's how to update SmartFabric OS10, on S and Z series switches configured as VLT peers. This method uses USB drives to backup configurations to, and copy the OS image from.
Here's how to upgrade SmartFabric OS10 in a VLT environment, using USB drives. This applies to S and Z Series switches only. For switches in an MX chassis check Dell.com/Support for help. You’ll need two USB drives formatted as FAT32, the OS10 image, and physical access to your switches. Download the image from your Dell My Account. For more information see KB Article 180674.
This is not a comprehensive guide. Before attempting an upgrade please read the 'Dell SmartFabric OS10 Installation, Upgrade, and Downgrade Guide' carefully. In particular, please review the sections on X509.v3 certificate expiry, and the supported upgrade paths.
If you're running 10.5.0.5 or earlier read this section If you're advertising BGP prefixes, read this one, and note there are model specific callouts for S4100 and S5200 switches. Before upgrading OS10, first upgrade the ONIE Software, then the Networking Firmware. These are available on Dell.com/Support.
Please remember there is always a risk of traffic loss during a VLT upgrade. We recommend scheduling a maintenance window to do this. Insert a FAT32 drive with the image in the root directory to each switch. Connect to each VLT peer using a terminal emulator, here we're using PuTTY. On 10.5.5.5 or later, run 'configure terminal' to enter global config, 'usb enable' to enable access to your drives, then 'exit'. Then run 'dir usb' to check the image is accessible.
Before proceeding, save and backup your switch configurations. On each peer, run 'write memory' to save the running configuration to the startup configuration. Then use the 'copy' command to backup the 'startup.xml' file to your USB drive. Optionally, as an extra precaution, run 'show running-configuration | no-more', copy the output, and paste it into a text file on your workstation. Run the 'Image Install' command to install your image on the standby partition of each switch. Run 'show image status' to check the progress.
It usually takes around 30 minutes to complete. Upgrade one switch at a time starting with the secondary VLT peer, to minimize traffic disruption On your secondary peer, run 'boot system standby' to set the newer OS version to run on the next boot. Run 'show boot' to check the 'next-boot' partition is set to 'standby', and that the standby partition has the correct OS version.
Before continuing to a reboot, check your VLTi by running 'show vlt all' and confirming 'Port-channel1000' is 'Up'. Then check the heartbeat by running 'show vlt all backup-link'. and confirming 'Peer Heartbeat Status' is 'Up'. If they are, run 'reload' to reboot the switch. Your terminal window will close. Wait a few minutes for the switch to restart, then reconnect and run 'show version'. Confirm the version number is correct. Again, run 'show vlt all'.
If the ‘Remaining Restore time‘ value is visible, wait the indicated time, then run 'show vlt all' again to confirm the countdown has completed, and is no longer visible. Confirm 'Port-channel1000' is 'Up'. Then run 'show vlt all backup-link', and confirm 'Peer Heartbeat Status' is 'Up'. Now repeat the same steps on your other peer. Run 'boot system standby'.
Then 'show boot' and check the settings. Run 'show vlt all', confirm 'Port-channel1000' is 'Up'. Run 'show vlt all backup-link', confirm 'Peer Heartbeat Status' is 'Up'. Run ''reload' to reboot the switch. Reconnect and run 'show version'. Confirm the version number is correct.
Again, run 'show vlt all', wait for the ‘Remaining Restore time‘ counter to expire if applicable, and confirm 'Port-channel1000' is 'Up'. then run 'show vlt all backup-link', and check 'Peer Heartbeat Status' is 'Up'. The OS upgrade is now complete. If you made any other changes, remember to save your configuration with 'write memory' before quitting. Thanks for watching.
