Help with upgrading ZoneDirector 1112

[Uptown32]

Hi all,

Our support expired last month, and I just started with the firm a month ago and is finally catching up to this part to upgrading the controller.

I was trying to upgrade the firmware on Zone Director 1112 today and boy I am in for a surprise. I backed up all the settings before proceeding. The old firmware was 9.8.2 build 15 and I was trying to upgrade it to 9.10.2. After it reboots, it wipes the controller as if it is a brand-new setup. I was able to locate the IP address on the network and connect to it. When attempting to restore the backup settings, I ran into a "red " blur indicating the backup DOES NOT work for the new firmware! What is the point of allowing backup if that is not allowed? I am just a bit baffled.  Is a way to upgrade this seamlessly without having to re-adding all the APs and reconfigure the ZD. 

I was reading other posts and saw that the ZD I am using can go up to firmware 9.13.3.0.164.  I will try to locate this version but will need some help with how to restore the settings.

Thanks

[sanjay_kumar · Accepted solution]

Hi @Uptown32 

Upgrading the ZD from 9.8.2 build 15 to 9.10.2 is not supported. You need minimum 9.9.0.0.205 to upgrade to 9.10.2.
Please follow the below upgrade path which should not Factory reset the ZD.

1. Restore the backup to the ZD.
2. Follow the path : 9.8.3.0.14 > 9.9.1.0.31 > 9.10.1.0.59 > 9.12.1.0.140 >> 9.13

Note : After every upgrade, make sure to wait for the APs to upgrade and connect back.
Make sure to take the backup after every upgrade.

[Uptown32]

I was able to upgrade to 9.8.3.0.14 but as soon as I try to upgrade to 9.9.1.0.31, I got a message indicating that there is some kind of entitlement. Sorry, I should have captured the error, but I cancelled the process because I did not want to get into a problem. Can you let me know what that means regarding "entitlement"? The ZD was out of support as of January 2023 and I should have tried to upgrade to the most current firmware, but I got sidetracked with other things.

This is where I was downloading the software:

ZD1100 9.9.1.0.31 (MR1) Software Release | Software Downloads | Ruckus Wireless Support

[Amith]

Hi @Uptown32,

Below is the snippet regarding the Entitlement from the article:  https://support.ruckuswireless.com/articles/000002744 

 What is a Support Entitlement for ZoneDirectors? 

The Support Entitlement requirement/feature was introduced for ZoneDirectors from 9.8 release. The feature requires a support file to be uploaded to the controller. Without the active support on the controller, the ZoneDirector and the connected AP's can no longer go further 9.9 firmware version.

You can generate the entitlement file using the below link.  https://support.ruckuswireless.com/entitlement_file  

Instruction to Upload Entitlement File:
ZD GUI >> Administer >> Support >> Choose File

Note: Without active support, a default 90days support file will be downloaded. or it gives an error as the file has already been added in which case you will have to contact Ruckus Support. 

Thank you!
Amith 

[Uptown32]

Hi Amith

Thank you for your help.  Sorry I am not clear on the last part: Note: Without active support, a default 90days support file will be downloaded. or it gives an error as the file has already been added in which case you will have to contact Ruckus Support.

So I was able to generate the file (spt).  So All I have to do is upload it from the ZD portal and then try upgrading the firmware again?