topic RE: Advice on Upgrading from 6.3.0.174 in ExtremeCloud IQ- Site Engine Management Center

Advice on Upgrading from 6.3.0.174

Stephen_McGuire — Mon, 17 Jul 2017 18:59:00 GMT

Hello, I need some guidance on upgrading our Netsight server.

We have an older Dell sever (64-bit, 4gb ram, 250gbhdd) running Netsight 6.3.0.174. We have on order two C35's to replace our C25's and we are adding about 40 more AP's. We have a captive portal and NAC and the NMS-100 license. We have the policy manager and some policy's setup as well. We do not have a purview license though we use Oneview's web portal. I didn't set this up originally and have taken over the server and tasks.

It appears from the release notes that I should at the very least upgrade to 6.3.0.186 as that includes the C35 support.

However in reviewing some of the materials it looks like the jump to 7.1.2.12 would be a good option. I believe I have to convert my license as well but that's something that can be done online I believe.

So the question is what if anything would/should prevent me from just getting to the current 8.0.2.42 software?

Major concerns are order of upgrade, I believe it's Netsight, NAC and then Identfi Wireless. It does look like I have to upgrade at least to 7.1.2.12 before heading to 8.x which is sort of prompting the questions I have.

Other major concern, NAC and Policy's what should I be on the look out for etc.

Was hoping that someone with a bit more experience in upgrades could take a moment and provide some insight or links to key articles. I'm digging around but I'm sure I'm missing things.

thanks,
-Stephen

RE: Advice on Upgrading from 6.3.0.174

Ryan_Yacobucci — Mon, 17 Jul 2017 19:11:00 GMT

Hello Stephen,

How to upgrade the Linux NetSIght/NAC appliances:

https://gtacknowledge.extremenetworks.com/articles/How_To/How-to-upgrade-Netsight-Suite-from-05-x-to...

The order in which you will need to upgrade appliances:
https://gtacknowledge.extremenetworks.com/articles/Q_A/Is-there-a-specific-order-to-be-used-when-upg...

You will need a license upgrade to go from 6.3 7.x/8.x.

https://gtacknowledge.extremenetworks.com/articles/How_To/How-to-upgrade-a-NetSight-license-for-use-...

In order to go from 6.3 to 8.0 you are required to upgrade to 7.1 first. There has been a significant change to the software structure in 8.0 that requires this intermediate step.

With the changes to the software have come a new set of minimum hardware limitations.

https://gtacknowledge.extremenetworks.com/articles/Q_A/How-Much-System-Memory-Is-Required-To-Run-Ext...

For the smallest deployment 8.0 recommends 8 core and 16 GB of ram, which looks like it may be significantly out of reach from the dell server. I'd say that's something that you should be wary of as if there are install/upgrade issues missing these minimum recommendations would make this an unsupported platform.

Also, the upgrade from 7.1 to 8.x requires an internet connection so NetSight/NAC can reach out and pull OS updates. Updated from ubuntu 12 to 14.

Thanks
-Ryan

RE: Advice on Upgrading from 6.3.0.174

Ronald_Dvorak — Mon, 17 Jul 2017 19:12:00 GMT

Hi Stephen,

I think you should first check if...

1) you've a valid service contract, without one you can't generate a new V7/V8 license key

2) could the server handle the new hardware requirments for EMC (Netsight) and Control (NAC), page#9 in the release notes...
http://documentation.extremenetworks.com/release_notes/NetSight/9035078-03_ExtremeManagementCenter_8...

Cheers,
Ron

RE: Advice on Upgrading from 6.3.0.174

Stephen_McGuire — Mon, 17 Jul 2017 19:31:00 GMT

Thank you both, I wasn't 100% sure about the version 8 requirements but that is definitely beyond what I have. Will recheck version 7's and go from there.

-Stephen

RE: Advice on Upgrading from 6.3.0.174

Stephen_McGuire — Mon, 17 Jul 2017 20:32:00 GMT

Actually reading the 7.1.2.12 hardware requirements it looks like my server is under powered for even that.

-Stephen

RE: Advice on Upgrading from 6.3.0.174

Ronald_Dvorak — Mon, 17 Jul 2017 20:42:00 GMT

Yupp, my conspiracy theory is that software developers get paid from the hardware manufacturers to increase the requirements so they could sell more/better hardware 

RE: Advice on Upgrading from 6.3.0.174

Stephen_McGuire — Mon, 17 Jul 2017 23:23:00 GMT

Well it's interesting how the day goes, it seems I have been approved to get a new server that will actually meet the version 8.x "medium" installation. 2CPU/16cores/64gb/600gb

So when the new hardware arrives, I'm assuming there's a migration process from the old server to the new one? I'd imagine it may be easier to just setup the new installation of 8.x and then import/migrate the data?

Thoughts?
-Stephen

RE: Advice on Upgrading from 6.3.0.174

Ryan_Yacobucci — Mon, 17 Jul 2017 23:49:00 GMT

If you wanted to re-configure from scratch you could, depending on the size of the installation it may be easier.

Here is a guide on migration:
http://documentation.extremenetworks.com/netsight/8.0/9035100_EMC_8.0_Server_Migration.pdf

Thanks
-Ryan