Firmware upgrade Best Practice for VSP-8608 , VSP 7254, VSP 4850, ERS 4950, 5420F,5430F switches

[San]

We are planning to upgrade the firmware of these below Devices to a latest update 

Device Type	Family	Present  Firmware
VSP-4850GTS-PWR+	VSP Series	6.1.2.0
5420F-48P-4XE-FabricEngine	Unified Switching VOSS	7.1.3.0
VSP-8608	VSP Series	6.3.8.0
VSP-7254XTQ	VSP Series	6.1.4.0
VSP-4850GTS	VSP Series	6.1.4.0
ERS4950GTS-PWR+	ERS Series	v7.9.2.017
5420F-48P-4XE-VOSS	Unified Switching VOSS	8.4.0.0

What is the ideal approach to upgrade the firmware to the above mentioned switches on individual basis ....Could someone help me on this or any valuable advices are highly appreciated. Is it recommended to upgrade to the latest firmware version directly or else will I have to take a phase by manner to make sure all these are updated to the latest released firmware . What are the options I can look at.

[EXTR_Paul · Accepted solution]

There are four rules when upgrading a switch.

1. Read the release notes
2. Read the release notes
3. Read the release notes 
4. Open a GTAC case if you are unsure.  

All the release notes are posted on the downloads back for the switch you wish to upgrade

If you are running very old code like you are I would highly recommend opening a GTAC ticket. They will be able to confirm the supported upgrade paths for you.

But I will gladly give you some guidance

You always start with the information with the most current major and minor release. 
In the Major release notes will be a section about supported upgrade paths and the oldest supported release will be noted. From there you will need to work backwards to find any releases that you can't skip over.   If there are critical versions you can't skip over they will be listed in the Major release notes and the minor release notes.

This is very important.  Skipping some releases is not supported.  You can damage the switch, corrupt the flash or corrupt the configuration leaving the switch inoperable or unreachable. 

Example:  For the two VSP4850GTS and VSP4850GTS-PWR+ are essentially the same switch.  The last supported major release was v7.1. Minor release was 7.1.11.

page 12 and 13 will list the supported upgrade paths.   https://documentation.extremenetworks.com/release_notes/VOSS/9035525_ReleaseNoteVOSS_7.1_RN.pdf

But if you look at the release notes for minor release 7.1.1 we recommend upgrading to 6.1.6 before upgrading to 7.1.X

https://documentation.extremenetworks.com/release_notes/VOSS/9035862_VOSSReleaseNotes_7.1.1.0_RN.pdf

For your VSP7200s.  That will be more work as v6 is very old.  They currently run 8.10.4.  There are several releases you will need to upgrade to. 

You will want to upgrade to 6.1.6 _>7.1.1 8.1.x, 8.2, 8.6 and 8.10.   Please confirm that with your own research and a ticket with GTAC.

Also, with your VSP7200 you will need to review the new segmented management IP configuration when upgrading past v8.2.  https://extreme-networks.my.site.com/ExtrArticleDetail?an=000105342&q=voss%20segmented%20management

Your ERS4900.  You can upgrade from that release to the most current.

For your UH5420s.  The only supported 8.X.  Please consult the release notes for the supported paths to v9.  

For the VSP8600.   Check out page 16

https://documentation.extremenetworks.com/release_notes/VOSS/VSP8600/81/downloads/ReleaseNoteVSP8600...

It appears you can upgrade directly from 6.X to most current release.  I would still open a GTAC case to confirm.