Nortel Business Element Manager Compatibility 3

[daveybc]

Running a Business Element Manager Rel. 60.3.0
BCM Element Manager Cartridge 3.0.0
Jave 1.6.0_07

I am trying to shut down a BCM 50 Rel. 6.0.2.05.237 but I am not offered the Shutdown option under Utilities, Reset (I presuming this version is a little low for the BCM50 6.0). I am planning on doing a reboot and when the main unit lights are orange I am going to pull the plug. Any issues with this or do I have to get a different BEM that offers the Shutdown option?

Second question related to this Ver. of BEM, can I use this version for a BCM 50 Rel. 3.0. I need to shut it down for an expansion module replacement. I do not know if this BEM would be compatibility. Are BEM Versions specific to each Release of the BCM50? I don't really want to uninstall this version and install version from unit if I don't have to. Is there a BCM50, BEM version matrix anywhere?

Appreciate any feedback.

 

[Firebird Scrambler]

I tend to use two versions of EM. The oldest one I use for the early BCM 50's, but usually anything from release 3 onwards is on the latest version of Element Manager and you can download it at..

http://bcm.sipsw.com/ApplicationLauncher/

I thought there was an option to do a shutdown.

All the best

Firebird Scrambler
Meridian 1 / Succession and BCM / Norstar Programmer in the UK

http://www.linkedin.com/in/davidbromley

If it's working, then leave it alone!.

 

[daveybc]

Thanks for the clarification. I will use the EM Rel. 6 as most of the BCM I service are 3 +. Interestingly, I agreed that this Rel. 6 should be offering me a "shutdown" option under Utilities, Reset if the BCM itself is Rel. 6 but it's not there...simply not there. I am shutting down with the reboot command or reset button on the system itself and will pull plug when Status and LED are both orange on main unit.

Now, I know for older BCM's this is the only way, but because I should be offered a shutdown option but I am not, will this procedure still work without consequences on the Rel. 6 BCM? Please let me know.

An impolite shut down is never as nice as a polite one!

 

[Firebird Scrambler]

Whatever you decide, always have a couple of backups available. What patches are shown on your BCM?

All the best

Firebird Scrambler
Meridian 1 / Succession and BCM / Norstar Programmer in the UK

http://www.linkedin.com/in/davidbromley

If it's working, then leave it alone!.

 

[telcodog]

I think you want the reboot option. It should be located right above the reset option. The reset options are for level 1 and level 2 resets so unless you want to chance wiping out the programming, stay away from those 2.

Not sure why you want to pull the plug but if you have to, use the reboot>Shutdown process and I think it will tell you when it's safe to pull the plug. If all you want to do is reboot it, then use the reboot>reboot procedure. You can just pull the plug too, it generally doesn't hurt anything. Just wait about 30 seconds and plug it back in. Gives the drive a chance to spin down.

As for Element Manager, just get yourself the latest one from the Avaya website (or an R6 BCM with the latest patches) and it will work for any BCM running on the Linux OS. I use version 62.0.4 and it works fine on all ot them.

 

[daveybc]

I can't believe it, but I have my Release/Versions mixed up! Thanks Firebirdscrambler, based on the System Management info below I think I have a R3 w/ver 6 software.

Under Configuration:
System ID BCM50
System Software Version 6.0.2.05.237

The latest patches/inventory items listed in system:

Under Software Inventory
Current System Software 6.0.2.05.237
BCM50R3_FactorImageUpgrade
Ver 6.0.2.2-1
Patch to upgrade the factory image to R3

Under System Inventory
BCM50R3_FactorImageUpgrade
Group: Operating System
Ver 6.0.2.2-1

So it looks like I have a R3 with Ver. 6 software...with no shutdown option since it's only R3 system. Please advise if this is not correct!

 

[Firebird Scrambler]

Don't rely on the 6.0.2.2-1 version number. Just post your system's site ID and also the patch history latest ones installed. Look for the last system patch that was applied.

All the best

Firebird Scrambler
Meridian 1 / Succession and BCM / Norstar Programmer in the UK

http://www.linkedin.com/in/davidbromley

If it's working, then leave it alone!.

 

[daveybc]

I've sorted out the Versions and Releases. I didn't have the Shutdown option because I had a R3 Ver 6 BCM50 per the table below. After using the Reboot command I just waited for the Status and Power LED to turn orange and then pulled the power. As I haven't been working on the BCM's of late, I do find it interesting that the System Configuration page in the EM only shows the System Version number not the system Release number (just to confuse things). I managed to find the information below that shows Ver. 6.0.2.05 = BCM R3. R3 = no polite shutdown option. Since I mostly work on older BCM's, I'll just use the EM 60.3.0 for now. As well, I suppose you can always download the compatible EM right from the BCM unit itself provided it hasn't died on the customer. Anyways, thanks for the input which got me on the path to right answer!

Sftware versions for all BCM 50 releases

BCM System

Launch
date

Software version numbers (any of the following)

BCM 50
Release 1
February 2006
1.00.2.04g
1.00.2.04
SRG50 R1

BCM 50
Release 2
March 2007
2.00.2.05c
2.00.2.05e
SRG50 R2

BCM 50
Release 3
March 2008
6.0.2.05
SRG50 R3

BCM 50
Release 5
December 2009
9.0.1.30.572

BCM 50
Release 6
October 2010
10.0.1

 

[ucxguy]

Newer versions of BEM are backwards compatible with previous BCM releases. You should be able to use the latest version of BEM with all releases of BCM systems. I currently use BEM version 62.0.4, which worked for me just fine for BCM50 R2 and up.
The reason why you don't have the Shutdown option for your BCM50 R3 is the cartridge, which matches the BCM50 release. The shutdown option - if I am not mistaken - was introduced in BCM50 R5.

"I am shutting down with the reboot command or reset button on the system itself and will pull plug when Status and LED are both orange on main unit."
Using the Reboot command, waiting for all LED's to be orange and then powering down the system is the right way. Please note that there is NO REBOOT BUTTON on the system. The reset button serves a completely different purpose!

"I need to shut it down for an expansion module replacement."
There is no need to shut down the BCM50 main unit when you're replacing an expansion module. Just power down the expansion chassis, replace the MBM and power up the expansion chassis again.

 

[daveybc]

ucxguy....thank you for the further clarification. All your points are very clear and excellent info. to know or review again. Glad I didn't use the Reset button!
I think I've been drifting off too far into the Avaya IPO world making it easy to forget some of the basics and to think I am traditionally a Nortel guy!

BTW is there somewhere other than the System Inventory under Administration tab that clearly shows the Release (not Version) number. Seems crazy to have to search through install/patch history to verify the Release. To me it should just say right on the System Configuration page right along with the Version number what the system Release number is....I find cross referencing to the Version number less clear, especially if this is an inherited or traded in system. Just wondering.

 

[telcodog]

Configuration>System>Keycodes

In there you will see the software version.