How to properly update PDM

[wturner80]

When I attempt to login into the PDM via https for my cisco pix515e I get the following message: Your PIX image has a version number of 6.3(4). This requires a newer version of PDM. Please upgrade your PDM image.

When I load the PDM image on the PIX will it erase all of my configuration? How do I properly back it up?

I've read the documentation from the following site:

http://www.cisco.com/en/US/products..._installation_guide_book09186a00802326c3.html

Is there anything else out there that I need to know since I can't afford for this pix to be down?

Thanks

 

[ChrisAC]

Either copy your backup to a tftp server and/or copy it to a text file.

Chris.

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Chris A.C, CCNA, CCSA
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[tbissett]

Upgrading the PDM does not erase your backup image. To upgrade the PDM, you will need to be running a TFTP server (not FTP, but TFTP). A free server is available from

http://support.solarwinds.net/updates/New-customerFree.cfm?ProdId=52

Once you have a TFTP server running, and you have the PDM image in the TFTP upload directory, the following command should be executed on your PIX to upgrade the PDM:

copy tftp://<ip address of tftp server>/pdm-[xxx].bin flashdm

 

[wturner80]

Thanks for the information. I do realize that my backup configuration file will not be disrupted but do I basically have to reconfigure the PIX after loading the new image? Even if it is copying the configuration from the backup.

Does loading the PDM image reset the PIX back to factory defaults?

 

[tbissett]

No, upgrading the PDM does not reset the PIX to factory defaults, and you do not have to reconfigure the PIX after upgrading.

The first time you launch the upgraded PDM, it is going to add a bunch of 'PDM Location' statements in the PIX. These are used by the PDM to sort out which networks/IPs belong to which interface. These PDM location commands do not impact any of the operational statements on your firewall, though.