topic Re: Updating the SZ100 Firmware will stop running an EOL AP (ZF7372) in FlexMaster

Updating the SZ100 Firmware will stop running an EOL AP (ZF7372)

priscila_ferrei — Fri, 08 Feb 2019 15:42:29 GMT

My SZ100 is in version 3.6.2.0.78 and I'm going to upgrade it to 5.1, but the ZF7372 is an EOL AP.
Do you have any problem doing that? Can I still use the ZF7372 without the support?

Re: Updating the SZ100 Firmware will stop running an EOL AP (ZF7372)

michael_brado — Fri, 08 Feb 2019 17:27:54 GMT

Hello Priscila,

     While SmartZone 3.6.2 releases will support the ZF7372 model AP, versions 5.x and higher do not.
Many customers with early model APs will stay on SZ 3.6.2 maintenance releases, in order to continue
using the ZoneFlex APs that came out before our 802.11ac models.

      In fact, the current SZ-100 firmware that I posted last week, is 3.6.2.0.222 (MR2 Patch1). Here is a
link to the Release Notes, and Firmware, if you want to plan an upgrade during a scheduled maintenance
window.

https://support.ruckuswireless.com/documents/2625-smartzone-3-6-2-0-222-mr2-patch1-release-notes
https://support.ruckuswireless.com/software/1974-smartzone-3-6-2-0-222-mr2-patch1-software-release-s...

      If helpful, here is the SZ-100 Upgrade Guide from 3.6.1 (same for 3.6.2):
https://support.ruckuswireless.com/documents/2216-smartzone-3-6-1-upgrade-guide-sz100-sz300-scg200-v...
      Good luck and best regards.

Re: Updating the SZ100 Firmware will stop running an EOL AP (ZF7372)

albert_pierson — Fri, 08 Feb 2019 21:11:30 GMT

Hello Priscila,

Starting in 3.5 SZ100's support multiple zones each with the ability to run different AP firmware versions.

Before upgrading to a new release verify if the present AP's will be supported. You must have AP zones already created to support AP's running older firmware as you cannot select older AP firmware versions on new Zones after upgrade.

In general, Ruckus supports AP firmware versions n-2. Sine 7372 last supported version is 3.6.2 you will be able to keep 3.6.2 AP firmware zones until version 5.1 (5.0, 5.1). You will not be able to upgrade to 5.2 without first removing 3.6.2 Zones or upgrading them to 5.0.

I hope this clarifies your query.

Thanks

Re: Updating the SZ100 Firmware will stop running an EOL AP (ZF7372)

chris_fry_8oyot — Fri, 29 Mar 2019 19:10:45 GMT

So, you can have 7372s on 5.0 and 5.1 or not? Michael's post seems to suggest no, while Albert's seems to suggest yes.

Re: Updating the SZ100 Firmware will stop running an EOL AP (ZF7372)

michael_brado — Tue, 02 Apr 2019 21:38:29 GMT

No, if you start with SZ 3.6.2, you can manage zf7372 model APs in it. Then, in new Zones, you can upgrade to 5.0 or 5.1, etc.

Re: Updating the SZ100 Firmware will stop running an EOL AP (ZF7372)

chris_fry_8oyot — Wed, 03 Apr 2019 14:23:37 GMT

Okay, so we have 3.5.1. All of our APs are in the same zone. The majority of our APs are zf7372. If we upgrade to 3.6.2. I know the 7372 APs will still work. If we then upgrade to 5.0 or 5.1, the firmware from 3.6.2 will remain on the controller.

From what I'm understanding we can keep all our APs, including the zf7372 model, running 3.6.2 in the same zone. If we want to upgrade the firmware on APs that support the higher firmware, like the R700 and R710, we can create a new zone that has firmware version 5.0 or 5.1.

If we can indeed continue to run the 7372s on 5.1 using the old firmware, are there any drawbacks, performance or otherwise to doing this rather than remaining on 3.6.2?

Thanks,
Chris

Re: Updating the SZ100 Firmware will stop running an EOL AP (ZF7372)

albert_pierson — Wed, 03 Apr 2019 14:31:23 GMT

Hi Chris,

As long as your 7372 AP's are in an existing AP zone running 3.6.2 firmware you should be able to upgrade the cluster to 5.1 (follow upgrade path in release notes) and create new AP zones with 5.1 code to support new AP models.

You will not be able to create new AP zones with 3.6.2 firmware after upgrading to 5.1 - so make sure they exist before you upgrade (maybe make a spare!!)

You will not be able to upgrade to 5.2 or higher level code as the policy is to support n-2 AP versions (3.6.2, 5.0, 5.1 major versions that can coexist on 5.1)

Hope this is clear!!

Thanks
Albert

Re: Updating the SZ100 Firmware will stop running an EOL AP (ZF7372)

michael_brado — Wed, 03 Apr 2019 16:40:29 GMT

Thanks Albert,

And to help customers understand Engineering's SZ migration, please see the upgrade planning
guide posted under SZ products Technical Documentation:

https://support.ruckuswireless.com/documents/2733-smartzone-release-and-compatibilty-upgrade-plannin...