ExtremeCloud IQ Site Engine ecosystem upgrade considerations

[jeronimo]

Currently wondering about the proper way to do this and dependencies.

Release notes state: "If your network is using ExtremeAnalytics or ExtremeControl engines, Fabric Manager, or another addon feature, you must first perform the ExtremeCloud IQ - Site Engine upgrade to version 23.02.10 and then upgrade the feature."

1) Does it mean, the previous version of ExtremeControl temporarily works with the new XIQ-SE version?

2) What about redundant setups of ExtremeControl (several engines) running different versions temporarily?

3) What about ExtremeCloud Controller for which there is no update as of yet? Is there a compatibility matrix?

4) What about compatibility with FabricEngine OS versions (minimum for the new release)?

5) Does it depend on whether it is a major or a minor version upgrade?

What are the things that absolutely need to be checked before an upgrade and what should be checked?

Is it safe to assume that a combination of software versions which all have not yet reached EOVM are simply supported in any combination? I.e. it is certain that VOSS 8.8.0.0 is supported while 8.7 or 8.6 are not. (They may integrate fine but it's not guaranteed) If that is safe to assume, where can I find the official statement?

[Ryan_Yacobucci]

Hello,

1) Does it mean, the previous version of ExtremeControl temporarily works with the new XIQ-SE version?
Yes, generally you are safe as long as you are within two revisions. It is highly recommended to be on the same version for both XIQ-SE and Control. You should never have a higher version of Control than of XIQ-SE.

2) What about redundant setups of ExtremeControl (several engines) running different versions temporarily?
Same as above, generally you are OK as long as you are within two revisions of software between the products. 

3) What about ExtremeCloud Controller for which there is no update as of yet? Is there a compatibility matrix?
There is no compatibility matrix. You would need to check the release notes of XIQ-C to see what versions of XIQ-SE are compatible. There have been release timings in the past that resulted in the newest XIQ-C controller not being supported in XIQ-SE, however these incompatibilities generally revolve around reporting functionality with the special controller integration between XIQ-C and XIQ-SE and are not user impacting.

4) What about compatibility with FabricEngine OS versions (minimum for the new release)? 

https://emc.extremenetworks.com/content/common/releasenotes/extended_firmware_support.htm

5) Does it depend on whether it is a major or a minor version upgrade? In some cases there are special circumstances that would require considerations, but any special considerations will be noted in release notes. 

What are the things that absolutely need to be checked before an upgrade and what should be checked?
You should absolutely read release notes for any upgrade. Special considerations and notes will be found there, including requirements for stepped upgrades when necessary.
Disk usage to make sure you don't run out of disk space on upgrade
Both 22.9.x and 23.2.10 have a modification to the end system event table that has been found to be problematic if there are significantly large numbers of end system events. Check end system event tables and clean up if necessary. 
https://extremeportal.force.com/ExtrArticleDetail?an=000110091

Is it safe to assume that a combination of software versions which all have not yet reached EOVM are simply supported in any combination? I.e. it is certain that VOSS 8.8.0.0 is supported while 8.7 or 8.6 are not. (They may integrate fine but it's not guaranteed) If that is safe to assume, where can I find the official statement?

I think the extended firmware support matrix may help to answer this question: https://emc.extremenetworks.com/content/common/releasenotes/extended_firmware_support.htm

Thanks
-Ryan