PowerScale: OneFS: Upgrade path recommendations for clusters using SMB on pre-9.5 code to 9.5 and later.

Dell Technologies as observed that in rare circumstances, clusters upgrading from pre-9.5 to post-9.5 code have experienced problems relating to SMB workflows. Issues after upgrade may manifest as data unavailability, most often due to code enhancements pertaining to authentication.

OneFS 9.5 and later include significant security enhancements in code that, when following certain upgrade paths, carry greater risk of issues for SMB workflows.

Dell Technologies recommends that clusters that are not yet on OneFS 9.5 or later to follow the upgrade path below. This upgrade path has been determined to be the safest path for any upgrade coming from pre-9.5 to post-9.5 code.

Upgrade Path:

1. If the cluster is not on OneFS 9.4 or later, it should be upgraded to 9.4 first.
2. If the cluster is on OneFS 9.4 but not 9.5 or later, it should then be upgraded to 9.10.1.5+, so long as it remains in the 9.10.1.x family at that patch level or above. (For example, 9.10.1.6, 9.10.1.8, so on)
3. If the cluster is on OneFS 9.10.1.5+, it may then be upgraded to the target code that is wanted. This will ideally be OneFS 9.13 or later.

As an example, a cluster on OneFS 9.2.1 with a target code of 9.12 would take the following upgrade path:

1. OneFS 9.2.1 > OneFS 9.4
2. OneFS 9.4 > OneFS 9.10.1.5
3. OneFS 9.10.1.5 > 9.13

The upgrade paths listed in the PowerScale OneFS Upgrade Planning and Process Guide indicate that going from 9.2.1.x > 9.5 > 9.13 is supported. This does not account for the rare upgrade issues that could impact SMB workflows. To minimize risk, it is recommended to follow the upgrade path in this article for SMB workflow clusters that are not yet on OneFS 9.5 and later.

PowerScale OneFS Upgrade Planning and Process Guide