Upgrading R8.1 to R10 Can't preload the Licenses 2

[bobertb]

I have upgraded a few R9.0 to R10.x with out issue.

This morning I went to do a R8.1(65) to R10.
I had an irritating surprise.

The first thing I wanted to do was to upload the new R10 PLDS xml license file to the Ipo prior to runnong the upgrade.
I did not get the LICENSE>REMOTE SERVER tab in Manager.
After a period of consternation and making a few calls I find out that you don't get that REMOTE SERVER Tab when connecting to a R8.1 box.
The have to go ahead and blindly UPGRADE the system and then LOAD the LICENSE after the system comes back.
My normal luck would be either the system failed the upgrade and corrupted the files or the meybe the license file wasn't quite right and I could end up with a down system.

This "feature" presents the following issues to me (maybe it's only me)

Normally when you upload the PLDS license into Ipo prior to upgrade, it does a sanity check of sorts on the license.
That didn't happen so I didn't have warm fuzzies about the License

If you CAN load the License file prior to upgrading the following happens:
System starts upgrading, transferring files etc and then about 20 miniutes into it, the IpO reboots, the IpO cmoes back online with the new R10 software and the phones work.
Then the upgrade continues for the usual 1 to 1 3/4 hours of uploading files.

When you can't preload the License file, the customer is down the entire length of the upgrade because when it does it's "early" reboot to the new software, there is no new R10 license file yet. So they are down for the duration

Anyhow, the IpO upgraded without a hitch, I applied the License after the fact and all is well except for the extended downtime.

All this may be obvious to some, but it wasn't to me....

 

[snowman50]

That's good to know. Give you a star for this info

I have not installed any rel 10 yet.

Not looking forward to my first rel10 upgrade either.

 

[malibu1979]

Once your 8.1 system reboots and starts to transfer the files, open another manager and add your PLDS license's. No need to wait till all the files transfer.

 

[derfloh]

Or recreate the SD card and upload the license file before doing the reboot.

 

[tlpeter]

Bullshit you can upload the license file.
You have to rename the xml file to PLDSkeys.xml and copy it into the primary folder on the SD card.
This is from the manual:

To load a License File onto a system SD card
1.Rename the supplied .XML license file to PLDSkeys.xml.
2.Using a card reader, copy the file into the /system/primary folder on the System SD memory card.

BAZINGA!

I'm not insane, my mother had me tested!

 

[bobertb]

To all those who answered my query THANKS.

Mailbu1979: "Open another manager instance"....Good to know. I would've be afraid of running two Managers while upgrading.

Tlpeter: I did read that in the manual...so I would copy the renamed PLDSkeys.xml license file into the primary folder BEFORE doing the upgrade via Manager? And that when the Upgrade is "copying files" it would just leave the PLDSkeys.xml sit there in the primary folder waiting to go active when the system reboots to R10?

derfloh: "Or recreate the SD card and upload the license file before doing the reboot." Could you explain this a bit more? The "reboot" happens by itself during the upgrade

 

[tlpeter]

Yes it will leave it there and your system is licenses straight away.

BAZINGA!

I'm not insane, my mother had me tested!

 

[derfloh]

As tlpeter told you where to place the license file.

You can upgrade with manager or you can pull the SD card while IPO is still running. Then put the card into your computer and recreate the card with manager. Put the card back into IPO and reboot. During reboot it will upgrade from card and you don't have to wait for those 3000 files to transfer.