Lab 1.7: Upgrade Managed Devices to New Versions of TMOS with BIG-IQ

Note

Estimated time to complete: 20 minutes

Warning

If you run a series of labs, this one should be the last one to run.

A key feature of BIG-IQ is the ability to manage software images for multiple remote devices from one location. You can deploy software without having to log in to each individual BIG-IP device.

There are three steps to managing software images for devices:

  • Download the software image from F5, Inc.
  • Upload the software image to BIG-IQ.
  • Install the software image on a device in the BIG-IP Device inventory in one of the following two ways:
    • Managed Device Upgrade - use this process for installing a software image on managed BIG-IP devices running version 11.5.0 or later.
    • Legacy Device Upgrade - use this process for installing a software image on BIG-IP devices running versions 10.2.4 to 11.4.1.

Official documentation about BIG-IP Software Upgrades can be found on the F5 Knowledge Center and also K14812626.


Lab environment access

If you have not yet visited the page Getting Started, please do so.

Tasks

  1. Login to BIG-IQ as david.
  2. Navigate to the Device tab. Look at the device list, specifically at the BIG-IP versions. In this lab, we are going to upgrade the SEA-vBIGIP01.termmarc.com BIG-IP to the latest 15.1 version.
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  1. Navigate under Software Management > Software Images. Select the BIG-IP 15.1 image and click on Manage Device Install.
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  1. Type a name for the task (e.g. seattle-upgrade) and select the desired option for the BIG-IP upgrade (e.g. check the Perform backup box).

Click on Add/Remove Devices.

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  1. The device list shows up. Select SEA-vBIGIP01.termmarc.com.
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  1. Set the Target Volume name to HD1.2, click on Save, then Run.
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  1. The first step is to initiate the transfer of the iso file on the BIG-IP.
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Note

If the required iso image already exists in the /shared/images directory of the target BIG-IP system, BIG-IQ skips the transfer of the iso file and proceeds with the next step.

  1. Once the image transfer is completed, the next step is to take a ucs backup of the device. Click on Back Up Devices.
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  1. Once the backup is completed, launch the Run Pre-assessment.
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Select all the options.

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Then, press Continue.

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  1. The software upgrade is starting. This step is typically done during a maintenance window.

Note

Time to take a break, go for a coffee/tea (or do another lab not using SEA-vBIGIP01.termmarc.com)!

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  1. Once the software installation is completed, proceed with the reboot. Click on Continue.
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  1. After the reboot complete, click on Run All Post-Assessment.
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And Compare Assessment to see what LTM differs from prior upgrade.

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Example of assessments comparison.

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  1. Finally, when the Post-Assessment and software upgrade completed successfuly, click on Mark Finished.
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  1. Go back to the Device tab click under services for SEA-vBIGIP01.termmarc.com then re-discover and re-import the LTM module on the BIG-IP, important step to perform after the BIG-IP upgrade.
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Click on Re-discover first. Then once object discovery is completed, click on Re-import.

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You should have the conflict resolution window showing up, choose Create Version.