Upgrading MICS from 4.0 to 7.1

[conxtel]

I am going to be upgrading a MICS this weekend and looking for any tips or suggestions.

I have the 4.1 and 7.1 upgrade tools. I wanted to try the upgrade before defaulting and starting from scratch as there are around 75 phones and the customer has had set relocation turned on for years so none of the stations match the original port numbers.

From the manual, a simplified process is:
Power down
Install 4.1 upgrade tool
Power up and wait until "Install MICS card" is displayed.
Power down
Install 7.1 upgrade tool
Power up and wait until time and date return.
Power down
Install new 7.1 software with new NVRAM cartridge
Power up

Any ideas how long each power up cycle takes? How long is too long for the phones to be flashing?

Any pointers would be greatly appreciated

 

[JustAGlitch]

Yes it is typically that straight forward. However the conversion to 7 does take a bit longer on the last steps as it reformats. With that being said if something fails, reverting is not a great option. Just make sure you use the right tool on the right step.

If It's Not Broken...Don't Fix It!

Stephen Webb
Norstar, BCM and IP Office Engineer

 

[Commshark]

Just curious, why are you upgrading to 7.1?

http://www.commshark.com

 

[conxtel]

Upgrading as customer is moving to PRI.

To add to it, the MICS was originally installed to replace an older 824. Original company did not replace the copper expansion modules so the MICS has a six port copper cartridge in it, which takes up both slots. Have to swap out the copper modules for fibre and install the six port combo expansion card.

 

[curlycord]

In this case it's to add a PRI but regardless of "why" it would be the same procedure.
I asked conxtel to post here for other opinions since I am on pain killers and cannot focus or may have given wrong info/tips in an email.

Key points
-Proper tools -(confirmed has 4.1 tool and 7.1 software) - Advised 4.1 and 7.1 tools required or use 4.1 tool and normal/spare 6.1 software
-Time to wait - Advised up to 45 minutes
-When the NVRAM should be replaced - Advised after 7.1 upgrade is completed but have read some have done that first.

-He has paper backup of programming





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[Commshark]

Good luck with the upgrade

http://www.commshark.com

 

[curlycord]

How did this go?

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[conxtel]

Not great, lol

System defaulted after first upgrade from 4.0 to 4.1. Continued with the upgrade to 7.1 and everything went ok. Swapped the NVRAM and restarted and system started up ok. Shut down, removed the old copper expansion card and swapped with the new fibre combo card, installed new fibre modules, powered up and nothing. Would not start up. Sets flashed for almost an hour.

Removed the expansion card to try to force a default, nothing. Reinstalled copper expansion, nothing. Removed everything from KSU, nothing. Of course each time you try something, it take 20-30 minutes to see if it will start up.

Attempted the upgrade again with the new NVRAM installed and the 4.1 upgrade tool and system responded with the "System Coldstart" message and then "Insert MICS Card." Upgraded to 7.1 and things looked promising. Installed the 7.1 software and it started up ok. Shut it down, installed the combo card, digital trunk card and fibre modules, crossed fingers and powered up. Finally started up ok.

Not sure why it didn't work the first time. Lost a few hours, but got it back and operational. System ID of course changed too. Glad I hadn't activated the PRI enabler keycode yet.

Customer has a Flash with ACD and it threw a curveball too. Reassigned the CDN but the ACD Queue would not answer. Greetings were all still there, AA worked fine, agent could log in and out but the queue just would not answer. Removed and reassigned CDN on different ports but nothing. Rebooted the Flash and of course it started working,,, start with the simple solution first

Overall took around ten hours to get it back to a functioning system. Will be back onsite Monday morning to tweak the system and address any issues that come up and then do the PRI cutover later in the week.

Wasn't what I had hoped for but kind of expected to happen. Sure glad I had the paper backup.

FYI:
Upgrade from 4.0 to 4.1 took 2-3 minutes. Not sure if it would take longer if it actually completed successfully.
Upgrade from 4.1 to 7.1 took 6-7 minutes.
Restarting the system after took about 8 minutes.
Restarting the fully functioning 7.1 system took around 12 minutes.

 

[curlycord]

"Shut down, removed the old copper expansion card and swapped with the new fibre combo card, installed new fibre modules, powered up and nothing"
Curious, did you neglect to replace a module?
i.e 7 modules on system but only replace with 6?
Seems like you did everything to the T.

Star for your efforts and update.





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[conxtel]

Nope, everything was replaced. One trunk module and three station modules.

Definitely got to brush up on my Norstar programming and dusted out some cobwebs, lol!