topic Re: Upgrading from Old ZoneDirector 1006 to ZoneDirector 1200 in Wireless Questions and Best Practices

Upgrading from Old ZoneDirector 1006 to ZoneDirector 1200

joke_jong — Tue, 02 Jun 2015 10:10:17 GMT

I am upgrading my existing ZoneDirector 1006 with firmware 9.3.4 to a newly purchased ZoneDirector 1200 with the default firmware - which should be 9.8.something.

I have about 25 APs, VLAN config, SSID, all the bells and whistles including all the naming convention, location, very-very detailed settings..

I tried to backup the settings on the ZD1006, then proceed to ZD1200, and tried to restore...

Oops, bad news - the settings is not compatible and I am stuck.

I really don't wish to re-configure all the settings from scratch.. any-way I can migrate the configuration without having to re-do all the AP and WLAN information?

Re: Upgrading from Old ZoneDirector 1006 to ZoneDirector 1200

max_o_driscoll — Tue, 02 Jun 2015 11:06:15 GMT

Think you need same firmware on both ZDs for compatibility.

Wait for a definitive from someone who's done it.

This post similar situation:
https://forums.ruckuswireless.com/ruckuswireless/topics/what_is_the_best_practice_to_replace_zd1006_...

Re: Upgrading from Old ZoneDirector 1006 to ZoneDirector 1200

michael_brado — Tue, 02 Jun 2015 18:09:22 GMT

Sorry Joke,

The graceful ZD (older model) to ZD (newer/larger model) would require that both models

of ZoneDirector can run the same firmware versions. Unfortunately, the ZD1000 can only run

as high as 9.3.4 code, while the ZD1200 is first supported in 9.9.

https://support.ruckuswireless.com/answers/000001430

You have no alternative but to re-define your WLANs on the new ZD1200, but you may find

the Log Analyzer (Rowdy) available on our Support site, can help you read the ZD1000 WLAN

details, for you to recreate them on the ZD1200. I hope this is helpful.

https://support.ruckuswireless.com/answers/000001412

Re: Upgrading from Old ZoneDirector 1006 to ZoneDirector 1200

joke_jong — Wed, 03 Jun 2015 07:10:34 GMT

Thanks everyone for the feedback. I thought about it, since I am a value-added reseller and partner, I talked with my distributor to loan me a ZD1100 to work as an interim migration device. I have 3 upcoming projects that are going to be set-up the exact same way, I guess i will have to borrow the ZD1100 3x to help with the migration.

In the event if I start from scratch, how will the new ZD detect the existing AP? is there an upgrade-take-over configuration that I need to do?

Re: Upgrading from Old ZoneDirector 1006 to ZoneDirector 1200

monnat_systems — Wed, 03 Jun 2015 07:24:38 GMT

yes, zd1100 in the interim would help. Just make sure when you start doing this, whatever firmware is on ZD1k, same shall be on ZD1100. as you upgrade(seriously read release notes) your ZD1100, please make sure you take config back up at every stage.

Re: Upgrading from Old ZoneDirector 1006 to ZoneDirector 1200

joke_jong — Wed, 03 Jun 2015 08:17:04 GMT

My distributor asks if it's possible for me to try using FlexMaster to do the transfer. They can issue me a trial version..

Anyone tried before? I am aware that FlexMaster has zone flex management capability, but am unsure if it can manage multiple zone directors to perform upgrades and transfer of firmware.

Any thoughts?

Re: Upgrading from Old ZoneDirector 1006 to ZoneDirector 1200

max_o_driscoll — Wed, 03 Jun 2015 10:32:20 GMT

Not just about ZDs! Are your APs new? Old ones (if they originate with the ZD1006) are also going to be firmware limited...just a thought.

Re: Upgrading from Old ZoneDirector 1006 to ZoneDirector 1200

joke_jong — Wed, 03 Jun 2015 11:04:52 GMT

my ZD is 1006, but my ZoneFlex APs are all 7343 and 7363, which is compatible with the OS 9.9 and above. As such, no issues here with re-using the APs for the new ZD1200.

Re: Upgrading from Old ZoneDirector 1006 to ZoneDirector 1200

joke_jong — Wed, 17 Jun 2015 11:51:30 GMT

Hi all. Can I check!

If I am upgrading following this:
https://support.ruckuswireless.com/answers/000001430

does this apply only to the ZoneDirector only, or does it also apply to the APs as well?
can the AP bypass the step-by-step upgrade and jump right from 9.3 to 9.9?

meaning, can I simply prepare all the upgrading in my office between ZD1006 > ZD1100 > ZD1200, and bring the up-to-date ZD1200 with settings and firmware 9.9, replace the current ZD1006 at my client's office and the APs will auto-upgrade accordingly from it's current 9.3 to 9.9?

any thoughts or ideas?

I think it'll work, just wanna make sure...

the reason i think it'll work is because when a newly purchased AP is set-up in a WIFI environment, the AP - whatever firmware it's on, will get auto-upgraded to the ZD firmware automatically...

Re: Upgrading from Old ZoneDirector 1006 to ZoneDirector 1200

monnat_systems — Wed, 17 Jun 2015 13:54:51 GMT

Hi,

i would advice that you check AP's supported in ZD1200 against what you had on ZD1000. You can find this info in the release notes for version running on ZD1200.

lot of devices of ZD1000 time are now EOL/EOS and no longer supported on ZD1200.

Re: Upgrading from Old ZoneDirector 1006 to ZoneDirector 1200

monnat_systems — Wed, 17 Jun 2015 13:56:58 GMT

"supported" AP can upgrade/downgrade from any to any BUT you need to look for AP's which are supported. ZD1000 and ZD1200 are generation apart...

Re: Upgrading from Old ZoneDirector 1006 to ZoneDirector 1200

joke_jong — Wed, 17 Jun 2015 14:42:34 GMT

yep, i have confirmed that my ZF7343 are supported in ZD1200 9.9 firmware.
I am having problem right now with my ZD1100 upgrade though. I am stuck in the upgrade progress from 9.5 to 9.7... it just get stuck with blinking red status light and it refuses to upgrade...

Re: Upgrading from Old ZoneDirector 1006 to ZoneDirector 1200

michael_brado — Wed, 17 Jun 2015 16:01:41 GMT

Hi Joke, Did you get as far as 9.5.3.0.44, before trying to go to 9.7?

https://support.ruckuswireless.com/software/410-zd1100-9-5-3-0-44-mr-software-release

If you simply do a ZD reboot, does it come back up (green Status LED) shortly, so you can try again?

Re: Upgrading from Old ZoneDirector 1006 to ZoneDirector 1200

michael_brado — Wed, 17 Jun 2015 16:04:48 GMT

The ZD 9.7.2.0.9 Release Notes do say you can upgrade from 9.5.1.0.50 however.

https://ruckus-support.s3.amazonaws.com/private/documents/488/9.7.2.0.9_-_ZoneFlex_9.7.2_Release_Not...

A ZD1100 can seem to take a long time to upload the image (flashing red LED), so sometimes give it up to 30 min.

Re: Upgrading from Old ZoneDirector 1006 to ZoneDirector 1200

joke_jong — Thu, 18 Jun 2015 03:51:33 GMT

I manage to get the 9.7.2.0.9 from my previously downloaded link. but It's not available on the website which I think your team might need to put in for ZD1100.

I manage to get to 9.5, and the problem only happened when trying to upgrade from 9.5 to 9.7.
The trick i used was to power-cycle first, then once I get into ZD after it was upgraded from 9.3 to 9.5, I went to the admin > maintenance > reboot > power off button. Once it's powered off, then I power-cycled the device again, and I was then able to upgrade to 9.7, and then later on to 9.8, and then to 9.9...

It was a really long and tedious process... albeit brainless..

Re: Upgrading from Old ZoneDirector 1006 to ZoneDirector 1200

pat_marsteller — Sat, 22 Aug 2015 18:38:45 GMT

We are also migrating from a ZD1000 to a ZD1200. We use the Zero-IT activation feature. Users have PSKs assigned to their equipment. What happens to them during the migration? If I had to setup the 1200 from scratch could I import those PSKs somehow?

Re: Upgrading from Old ZoneDirector 1006 to ZoneDirector 1200

monnat_systems — Sun, 23 Aug 2015 12:39:30 GMT

let me try answering your situation in parts before you take a plunge...

ZD1000 and ZD1200 are generations apart so you need to make sure that before you start your migration ensure that AP's you have right now on ZD1000 is/are supported on ZD1200.
you can migrate your PSK's ok from ZD1000 to ZD1200 however you will have to borrow ZD1100 from someone may be your VAR/reseller because ZD1000 software support ended at 9.3 and ZD1200 starts at 9.9. configuration Back up from software ZD1000 will NOT work in ZD1200. Borrowed ZD1100 will help you fill the GAP left open to ensure proper DPSK migration from ZD1000 and ZD1200.

hope this helps.

Re: Upgrading from Old ZoneDirector 1006 to ZoneDirector 1200

pat_marsteller — Mon, 24 Aug 2015 01:07:57 GMT

Thank you for your reply. If I cannot get a ZD1100, is there a way to export the PSKs for the ZD1000 and import them into the ZD1200?

Re: Upgrading from Old ZoneDirector 1006 to ZoneDirector 1200

monnat_systems — Mon, 24 Aug 2015 04:53:21 GMT

Hi Pat,

No, I have not tried it.I would suggest that you check with support team on alternatives.

MS