Coordinating DCE upgrade with Device/NMC firmware/software upgrade

[bhutchins]

Apologies in advance for the long explanation.

I'm taking over responsibilities at my organization for APC management within in our multiple but separate datacenters. We are currently utilizing DCE 7.7.1, I see it's currently at 8.1.0 and no longer even called DCE. From my interpretation we will have to go through like 8 individual upgrades (7.8.0, 7.8.1, 7.9.0, 7.9.1, 7.9.2, 7.9.3, 8.0.0, 8.1.0) to get it fully upgraded. With that in mind, seeing as it was so long ago, I'd assume that the server that it's running on may need to be upgraded. Additionally, we are running AP8861 rPDU's (application rpdu2g version 6.1.0) with what looks to be AP9537 NMC's (HW Revision 05). Additionally these devices are running AOS v6.1.3. 

We also have Netbotz 200 Rack monitor's running v3.7.5 with an AOS v3.9.0. 

Seems like we have a lot of upgrading to do. But what would be the proper course of action to get everything upgraded without any issues between compatibility and whatnot. 

[dpierce4776]

Just and FYI it is still called DCE but APC is trying to push people towards their IT expert. Also as long as you are still in the device limit of the server you should be fine and not need to upgrade the physical server. Some like it some do not. Personally I will not due to cost of licensing and I do not like the look or feel if IT expert vs DCE.

That said for the first part you need to get your DCE box up to the current version. which does mean upgrading in steps. Your only way around this is to do a fresh install using a USB key. By doing so you can go straight to 8.1.0. But you will lose everything. that means all historical data and will have to set the machine up from scratch including bringing back all the devices that are currently there. to do that you must know all the SNMP and MODBUS (if you have any) settings for all the devices. As well as you will lose all alarm settings. If you are OK with that then it is the quickest way but usually requires  lot of back end work trying to get everything re-setup.

If you decide to go with the stepping it is not that bad. it usually takes 15 minutes to an hour depending on the number of devices you have to do each step. We have almost 1200 devices and last upgrade too me about 20 minutes to do. 

Moving on once you get DCE up to the latest version. Personally I would wait at least a day to make sure that DCE is completely done updating itself and there is no back end process updating things like logs and the like.  You can start updating all your devices. This can be done though DCE almost completely automated. DCE if it has access to the internet. If not the ports it will need are 21, 22, 80, 161, 162, 502. to APCs firmware site. You will have to get that from tech support.

From there in DCE under updates > apply firmware updates. it will show you a list of devices that need updating along with the up to date versions they have. select 4 to 5 devices at a time and then select update. DCE will push out the needed updates to each device you selected from there. 99.9% of the time this works with out a hitch. just keep repeating that until you get all the device updated.

DCE should update all your CDUs and other devices except the netbotz.

the netbotz 200 I believe is EOL and v3.7.5 is the most up to date FW they have for it