Application server upgrade 1

[Varlin]

I have an IP Office and Avaya applications server running at R8.1 and I’d like to upgrade them to R9.0.

Speaking to our technical support about upgrading the Application server, they advised uploading the iso file (as downloaded from the Avaya site) to the Applications software repository on the settings tab, and then using the update tab to do the upgrade, however when I upload the iso it never shows the R9.0 files on the updates page.

If I burn the iso file to a dvd then I can add the .rpm files individually but this doesn’t seem like easiest of ways to upload the files and do the upgrade – if this is how it needs to be done do I need to upgrade the whole server to R9.0 or is it advisable to only upgrade Voicemail Pro and One-X Portal?

Any advice will be greatly appreciated

Thanks.

 

[IPGuru]

you would need backup your app server and then boot from a DVD & select the upgrade option.

This is the sort of task that could easily end in tears so I would advise asking a competent maintainer to undertake it for you.




A Maintenance contract is essential, not a Luxury.
Do things on the cheap & it will cost you dear

 

[Varlin]

Thanks.

I've done the upgrade using the dvd before without any problems, I just wanted to try it using the web control page in this instance, but I'm not understanding something as I can't seem to get the server to recognise the files have been uploaded.

 

[IPGuru]

I do not think you will
you have been advised incorrectly

if you really wanted to you could probably copy over all of the rpm files manually
or you could create a repository on a web server & create an entry in /etc/yum.repos.d to allow the OS to upgrade autocratically but is probably not worth the effort.


A Maintenance contract is essential, not a Luxury.
Do things on the cheap & it will cost you dear

 

[Varlin]

Think I'll just stick with the DVD and reboot method then...thanks again.

 

[tlpeter]

8.1 needed the http upload and 9.0 has even better solutions.
The easiest way on 8.1 will be using the DVD and second the upload.
9.0 it is the upload for sure.
Uploading RPM's only is not the way as the OS needs an update too.


BAZINGA!

I'm not insane, my mother had me tested!

 

[Varlin]

Great thanks.

Out of interest, is anyone aware of problems upgrading from 8.1 to R9 SP2 using the dvd? I've tried it a couple of times now and it fails to upgrade stating it encountered an unknown error that is probably a bug! Exiting the upgrade and rebooting the server then seems to have corrupted the 8.1 install and I have to install from scratch!

I've upgraded from 8.1 to 9 SP1 with no problems previously.

Cheers...

 

[tlpeter]

SP@ seems to be a bit of a problem.
Try SP3 or upgrade it from SP1.


BAZINGA!

I'm not insane, my mother had me tested!

 

[teletechman]

Had all sorts of problems with SP2, used SP1. Did a back up of everything? (which did not back up all the VM messages but that is a different story). Did a clean install from 8.1 to 9.0, you cannot do an upgrade between releases per Avaya tier 4 you have to do a clean install and restore between major releases i.e. 8.0 to 8.1, 8.1 to 9.0. Tell me if you get the One-X to restore I had an issue with it locking up the app, not sure if it wasn't 9.0 SP2 that was the problem.
Mike

 

[tlpeter]

Tier4 is telling bullshit.
I upgraded our server edition from 8.1 to 9.0 in the field trials and that went very well.
There must always be an upgrade path but i guess Avaya kicked out all the good guys and outsourced there software development to a bunch of cowboys who say no to everything when they do not understand how to do it.


BAZINGA!

I'm not insane, my mother had me tested!

 

[IPGuru]

The problem is Avaya do not understand Linux fully
Even fundamental OS upgrades are achievable without a re install if the correct files are available in a suitable repository (RPM files for red-hat based systems DEB files for Debian based + a few others for unusual systems)

The current upgrade process for the UCM form 9.0.2 - 9.0.3 shows how Avaya are still working with a windows mentality

1) system performs 'upgrade'
2) unit reboots & installs security updates
3) unit reboots & patches SSD firmware if needed
4 System shuts down if SSD patched & requires manual reboot.

WTF, the RPM/yum update system of red-hat/centos means that the security updates could have been installed at the same time as the major upgrade. the ssd firmware patch might possibly require a reboot to load the os into ram rather than running of the drive (but i think even that should be possible without a reboot) so that it can be unmounted before patching.
& why does it shutdown instead of rebooting after patching the SSD?

Apologies for the rant but these demonstrations of incompetence wind me up




A Maintenance contract is essential, not a Luxury.
Do things on the cheap & it will cost you dear

 

[tlpeter]

IPGuru, you are spot on and i really do not understand this either.
I wonder is adding the Centos repo will hlp in this case.
I thin a yum update will install the Centos updates and the security patches anyway.


BAZINGA!

I'm not insane, my mother had me tested!

 

[IPGuru]

or why don't Avaya simply make there own repo available so that only approved updates get added?

The createrepo command is not that complicated I may even make my own ;-)

A Maintenance contract is essential, not a Luxury.
Do things on the cheap & it will cost you dear

 

[tlpeter]

IPGuru, how do you do that?
I want to try to create a repo but till today i do not understand how to do it.


BAZINGA!

I'm not insane, my mother had me tested!