How to PROPERLY upgrade T1 to 6.1 MICS

[r6wraith600]

I am hoping to add or clarify some information I recently learned for everyone. If I missed anything I do invite edits or comments please. This is to help everyone. I had to recently do this for a new Call Pilot 100 installation.

This

http://www.tek-tips.com/faqs.cfm?fid=5000

is not entirely accurate. I will explain the "Why" of the procedure.

Items required:
1 x EMPTY never used NVRAM (where the programming is stored)
1 x 3.0 MICS software (XC version if you require it)
1 x ICS Upgrade Tool (you can use again, good investment)
1 x 4.0 up to 6.1 software (XC version if you require it)

MICS is running T1R1 software. First DO NOT take what the Nortel manual tells you. It's wrong and funny.

One of the first steps written is to remove all Amp cables and further down it says wait for a "Insert new cartridge". How the heck are you going to see a message when you have the Amp cables off the system. Ugh, that one slipped through the editing department.

Anyhow,

First, unplug the main system power, disconnect the fiber or copper attachments for any modules along with their power. I disconnected all the amp cables EXCEPT the main terminal one.

Q. Why 3.0?
A. This is the version that Nortel went to the new menu structure and why you can't jump from a T1 to 4.0 and up. So if ever in doubt as to what I client has when looking at a potential upgrade, look at the menu structure, it's an easy tell.

Pull out the T1 and place in the 3.0 software. Power back up the main cabinet only with only the main terminal amp cable connected. If all goes well (which it should) you will get a working system back up again. I then connected everything back (fiber's, lines, etc) and tested to ensure the upgrade took place.

Now repeat the first step of disconnecting everything except the main terminal amp cable.

Remove the 3.0 software, insert the empty NVRAM into the cabinet then the upgrade tool. Power back on ONLY the main cabinet as it sits. It will then go through the upgrade process. This takes some time but wait it will work.

Then on the main set physically on the first port it will display "Insert new cartridge". I had some set relocation at my site. Then power off the main cabinet again and take out ONLY the Upgrade Tool. Insert your 6.1 software (as in this example) and wait.

When it is completed it's copy and upgrade you will see the sets on the main amp come up with your proper date and time. This took the longest out of all the steps. Then power down again and reconnect everything you have. Power it all back up and check your line properties as this will have changed.

This was a successful procedure for me and I the Call Pilot 100 installed without a hitch and my client was extremely happy. It was a large site they recently purchased and they had no idea how anything was programmed. This was the need for the upgrade and not simply and default and start again.

I hope and I am sure this will help someone in the near future.

 

[r6wraith600]

Opps missed the upgrade tool needs to be XC if required.

 

[exsmogger]

I don't think I'd upgrade from R1T1 to R6.1 and try to save programming. You'll likely have bugs in your database. You'd be better off programming from a clean slate IMHO.

I'd suggest doing a STARTUP with the R1T1, wait until the display shows "Applying template", count to 5 and pull the power. Insert the new software cartridge and power on. Give it up to 10 minutes to initialize. Reprogram.

Brian Cox

http://www.jandjcommunications.com

 

[senk1s]

its not imho ...its good advice based on experience
I would do exactly like exsmogger says.

I might even get another KSU and do an almost live cut

 

[r6wraith600]

This is exactly why I put this post up. It's not the 100 percent sure way of doing it as we have all learned the hard way of potential issues and bugs.

However, it does work when done properly.

Secondly, even with a clean slate you can't go directly to 6.1 as I commented on the menu structure with the T1 to 3.0.

Now with that said, why not simply "risk" it as most of the tools I listed are either required or can be used again? If it fails oh well, what was lost? Mind you explain as I did to the client the potential re-programming that may have to happen. If it works bonus and you have one happy client.

There was not one single issue or error with what I did if you all can believe it or not.

There is a reason these resources are available to us from Nortel. So quickly we all say "re-program" and never give it a shot. Again, I don't completely disagree as experience has taught me, but sometimes it does work perfectly fine.

 

[curlycord]

I just talk a guy over the phone out of attempting this.

Too risky and might get bugs and cause more grief.

Start fresh!

 

[exsmogger]

r6wraith600,

If you do the STARTUP procedure as I described you can go from R1T1 to R7.1 if need be, but this will default the system. I clear out all of the used MICS's we buy back to R1T1 using this method.

Brian Cox

http://www.jandjcommunications.com

 

[r6wraith600]

If you do the STARTUP procedure as I described you can go from R1T1 to R7.1 if need be, but this will default the system. I clear out all of the used MICS's we buy back to R1T1 using this method. "

I will try this sometime, I was advised from Notrel that this will not work, but as noted, they can't even write their manuals properly. So I would trust your advise exsmogger with this more then theirs.

 

[exsmogger]

I actually got this tip from someone here at Tek-Tips. Sure beats shorting out the memory cap on an MICS.

Brian Cox

http://www.jandjcommunications.com