topic Re: Downtime Concern in Upgrading vSZ-E in Access Points - Indoor and Outdoor

Downtime Concern in Upgrading vSZ-E

a_ridwan9 — Fri, 11 Nov 2022 06:56:59 GMT

Hi all users. I want to ask in this forum about upgrading virtual Smartzone (vSZ-E). Currently, in my office are using vSZ-E that in 3.6.1 version. My company wants to upgrade this vSZ-E to latest suggested version, 5.2.2. My concern is, if we do upgrade this vSZ-E with following the upgrade path (3.6.1 -> 3.6.2 -> 5.2.2), is that will be downtime on all device (vSZ-E and all AP that has been joined to vSZ-E), or is that will be downtime only for Smartzone and all AP will still up and can be used for giving wifi access to user? Thanks in advance for your help.

Re: Downtime Concern in Upgrading vSZ-E

Parik_MN — Fri, 11 Nov 2022 07:48:30 GMT

Hi @a_ridwan9,

Latest long term maintenance release in 5.2 branch is 5.2.2.0.1653. The upgrade path would be 3.6.1 > 3.6.2 > 5.1.2 > 5.2.2.

There would be AP downtime initially post upgrade to 3.6.2, as APs would be upgraded to 3.6.2 build. Post that there won't be any AP downtime. We would need to upgrade the AP zone manually hence forth.

Note that, each upgrade path would take at least 50 to 60 minutes to complete.

Regards,

Parik

Re: Downtime Concern in Upgrading vSZ-E

a_ridwan9 — Fri, 11 Nov 2022 08:21:44 GMT

Hello Parik,

Thanks for replying this questions. From your answer above, I have another question.

1. Base on this sentence "There would be AP downtime initially post upgrade to 3.6.2, as APs would be upgraded to 3.6.2 build". If I would do initial upgrade from 3.6.1 to 3.6.2 (when I clicked upgrade after I upload the image 3.6.2), is there will be upgrading Smartzone and all AP automatically on the same process, or for AP it need upgrade manually per zone?
2. Base on this sentence "Post that there won't be any AP downtime. We would need to upgrade the AP zone manually hence forth.", is that mean when I want to upgrade from 3.6.2 to 5.2.2, it will upgraded Smartzone only, not for AP (because AP need to upgrade manually per Zone)?

For the upgrade path, I've see on this below table if from 3.6.2 it can be direct upgrade to 5.2.2, not need to upgrade to 5.1.2 first. Is that correct?

source: https://support.ruckuswireless.com/documents/3580-smartzone-5-2-2-ga-upgrade-guide

Thanks in advance.

Re: Downtime Concern in Upgrading vSZ-E

Parik_MN — Fri, 11 Nov 2022 08:32:43 GMT

Hi @a_ridwan9,

Here's my answers:

1. Initially vSZ would be upgraded, once all services come up online, then AP firmware upgrade would be pushed. It would take ~15 minutes to complete AP upgrade process.

2. That's correct post 3.6.2, only smart zone would be upgrade. For AP upgrade you would need to chose the AP Zone and upgrade manually.

3. You are right about the upgrade path. I would suggest to add 5.1.2 in the upgrade path, as there are few AP models which are not supported in 5.2.2. However, they do support in 5.1.2 AP zones. Please share the AP models managed currently accordingly you could chose the upgrade path.

Regards,

Parik

Re: Downtime Concern in Upgrading vSZ-E

a_ridwan9 — Fri, 11 Nov 2022 11:14:28 GMT

Hello Parik,

Thanks for your another answer.

For number 1, the AP firmware will update automatically after smartzone has been done up to 3.6.2 ya? Not manually per zone?

For number 2, it's clear to me.

For number 3, my concern is for the old AP/AP existing that has been joined to smartzone will be stayed on version either 3.6.1 or 3.6.2 if AP is updated automatically when smartzone upgrade to 3.6.2. We don't need to upgrade existing AP to the latest supported AP firmware because all AP are have mapped on various Zone and per Zone is not only one AP type. Maybe are you have any concern about my plan about the old AP ones? Thanks in advance.

Re: Downtime Concern in Upgrading vSZ-E

Parik_MN — Sat, 12 Nov 2022 09:02:55 GMT

Hi @a_ridwan9,

I have tried your request in my lab setup and here's my answers:

1. Post upgrade to 3.6.2, each AP zone needs to be upgraded manually to version 3.6.2.

3. If you would like to upgrade the smart zone to latest release, SZ won't allow you to do so with AP Zones on 3.6.1. To upgrade SZ to 5.2.2 all AP zones needs to be on minimum 3.6.2 version.

Let me know if you have any further questions.

Regards,

Parik

Re: Downtime Concern in Upgrading vSZ-E

a_ridwan9 — Mon, 14 Nov 2022 02:12:59 GMT

Hello @Parik_MN,

Thanks for your contribution to comment on this thread. I've seen on my another post and commented too by @Vineet_nejwala, I already have a picture about what you described. Thanks for helping me.

One more question, @Parik_MN. Just for make sure about timeline. You've had mention above on this statement " It would take ~15 minutes to complete AP upgrade process.", is that means when I do upgrade/change AP Firmware per Zones, it will take 15 minutes downtime per Zone?

FYI, My plan is will make all AP Zones existing in my Smartzone office are still using old AP firmware version (which mean if I upgrade Smartzone to the latest 5.2.2, the all AP Zones existing will be using 3.6.2 as your lab result because it can't using AP Firmware 3.6.1 when using Smartzone 5.2.2 ya)

Re: Downtime Concern in Upgrading vSZ-E

Parik_MN — Mon, 14 Nov 2022 09:53:56 GMT

Hello @a_ridwan9,

Yes, your understanding is correct about AP upgrade downtime.

About your second question, SZ won't allow you to upgrade to 5.2.2 unless all the AP Zones are upgraded to minimum 3.6.2 version.

Regards,

Parik

Re: Downtime Concern in Upgrading vSZ-E

a_ridwan9 — Mon, 14 Nov 2022 10:15:08 GMT

Hello @Parik_MN,

Thanks for your contribution. Yeah, so for the summary.

Upgrading Smartzone from 3.6.1 to 3.6.2 (no Downtime because wifi/WLAN services still working as mention from Vineet in the other post).
Upgrading all Existing AP Zones from 3.6.1 to 3.6.2 after Smartzone is done in 3.6.2 (will cause Downtime per AP Zones)
Upgrading Smartzone to 5.2.2 (no Downtime because WLAN services still working)

That scenario above is the best practice for my activity (and for downtime concern to my company), isn't it? Thanks in advance.

Re: Downtime Concern in Upgrading vSZ-E

Parik_MN — Mon, 14 Nov 2022 11:36:12 GMT

Hi @a_ridwan9,

1. Correct no AP downtime, unless there is Proxy Dot1x auth and Tunneled SSID.

2. Correct ~15 minutes of downtime is expected.

3. Same as answer 1.

Please let me know if you have any other concerns.

Regards,

Parik