Upgrade to 6.1

[Dmacnumberfour]

Hello,
Myself and another tech are going to upgrade a MICS with 4.1 to 6.1. We have a backup of the programming that I did a week ago. We have upgraded the vioce mail already, NAM.
First question: What are the recommened steps to do the upgrade successfully?
Second question: Can this be done with the upgrade tool? Or do we have a new enough software to do it without it?
Third question: If it goes bad is it possible to restore it back to previous 4.1 setup if the upgrade is, lets say semi-successful.What I mean is if it goes to 6.1 but loses all the programming.Can it be restored with the 4.1 backup?
Also we will be adding a second T1 card. We are networking it to another MICS with 6.1 thru T1 ciruit.
System configuration.
MICS=144 Stations.
One T1 card.
PRI T1.
One LS/DS card.
Two fiber Combo cards.
Dmac,

 

[luv2ski]

no upgrade tool needed just replace pcmia card...should make sure the software cartridge is a rel 2 "larger software part
...if you lose programming you cant use backup from 4.1 to restore the 6.1 only if you go backwards to 4.1

Pat Guido
NEXTIRAONE
Pat.guido@nextiraone.com

Formerly Nextira, formerly Williams Communications, formerly Wiltel, formerly Nortel networks, formerly Northern Telecom, formerly, Nynex meridian systems formerly Northern Telecom.

 

[Dmacnumberfour]

What are the power down power up steps? I also read that you have to remove the Amp connectors off the MICS? How long do you leave them off after the MICS is powered up? Also do you have to power down any Station mods and ASM's that are connected to the system?
Dmac,

 

[sprucegrover]

Like luv2ski says, just change the PCMCIA card in the software. But ensure that you have a Rel.2 NVRAM cartridge. The Rel.1 were defective.
If you have to change the RAM cartridge, do a backup, change the cartridge, replace the R4.1 software, and power up. Then do a restore. You now have a 4.1 with a good Rel2 cartridge.
Now power down the entire system, change just the PCMCIA card to R6.1, and power up. All settings will be retained, lines re-numbered etc.
Reset the redirect key in the NAM and renumber the lines for the AA and you should be o.k.

 

[senk1s]

that is the procedure in the installer guide to remove the cables ..., and i dont know why may be someone will throw some light on it

the very first upgrade i did was from 4.1 to 4.1XC and i followed the procedure to the word ... and i've done others without removing the cable ... but it is better to follow the rules i guess

 

[curlycord]

Upgrading is sensative therefore no activity should be done with the system....just a safety measure.

 

[DueE]

And always do the software upgrade first. After you have verified it took, power down and do the hardware changes.

DueE

 

[Dmacnumberfour]

Thanks guys,
I,ll do the suggestions above. One question,how long should you leave the AMP cables off the system? I'm guessing 10 minutes or so to insure that the MICS has fully booted up.
Dmac,

 

[Arr]

'bout right.

PhM

 

[VencomRob]

Make sure you check all target lines if you have DID's. We had them get all messed up on an upgrade we did. They went up from 145 to a higher number now. We just had to go into phones and faxes and point them to the correct #.

 

[Dmacnumberfour]

Hey Guys,
I did the upgrade tonight and it would not take. It came up and lost all the programming.I replaced the 6.1 and installed the 4.1 back in and did a restore. It restored all the programming but the PRI codes. The system ID number changed. Had to get Keycodes and it brought the PRI back. Question? Why would the System ID change? I guess when you back up the system it doesn't save the system ID that you had when the system was originally setup with?
Dmac,

 

[senk1s]

system ID does change ..when u downgrade a system

when you do a startup you loose the keycodes in the system

 

[Dmacnumberfour]

Thanks for all the help on this one. We wound up doing all the programming from scratch over the weekend. Is Nortel going to update their upgrade process for the MICS? It really sucks otherwise.
Dmac,