7 Steps Checklist before upgrading your F5 BIG-IP

Problem this snippet solves:

This is a quick summary of steps you need to check before upgrading a BIG-IP.

This is valid for version 11.x or later.

How to use this snippet:

In this example, I will assume that we are upgrading from 11.5.1 to 12.1.2

Step 1 : Check the compatibility matrix

a) For appliance, check hardware/software compatibility

Link:https://support.f5.com/csp/article/K9476

b) For virtual edition, check the supported hypervisors matrix

Link:https://clouddocs.f5.com/cloud/public/v1/matrix.html

Note : If running vCMP systems, verify also the vCMP host and compatible guest version matrix

Link:https://support.f5.com/csp/article/K14088

Step 2 : Check supported BIG-IP upgrade paths and determine if you can upgrade directly

Link:https://support.f5.com/csp/article/K13845

In this case, you must be running BIG-IP 10.1.x - 11.x to upgrade directly to BIG-IP 12.x

Step 3 : Download .iso files needed for the upgrade from F5 Downloads

Link:https://login.f5.com/resource/login.jsp?ctx=719748

Step 4 : Check if you need to re-activate the license before upgrading

Link:https://support.f5.com/csp/article/K7727

First, determine the "License Check Date" of the version you want to install. In this case, the version 12.1.2 was released on 2016-03-18 (License Check Date). Then, determine your "Service check date" by executing the following command from CLI :

> grep "Service check date" /config/bigip.license

The output appears similar to the following example:

> Service check date : 20151008

Since the "Service check date" (20151008) is older than the "License Check Date" (2016-03-18), a license a reactivation is needed before upgrading. To reactivate, follow the steps under paragraph "Reactivating the system license" from the link given above.

Step 5 : Use "iHealth Upgrade Advisor" to determine if any configuration modification is needed before/after the upgrade

Link:https://login.f5.com/resource/login.jsp?ctx=719748

Generate a qkview and then upload it to iHealth (link above).

For more info about how to generate a qkview read following article

Link:https://support.f5.com/csp/article/K12878

For more info about "iHealth Upgrade Advisor" read following article

Link:https://devcentral.f5.com/s/articles/ihealth-upgrade-advisor-making-upgrades-a-little-easier-20001

Step 6 : Backup the configuration by generating a UCS archive and download it on a safe place

Link:https://support.f5.com/csp/article/K13132

a) If are using the "Configuration Utility", follow the procedure under "Backing up configuration data by using the Configuration utility"

b) If you prefer using CLI, follow the procedure under "Backing up configuration data using the tmsh utility"

Step 7 : From the release note of the version you wish to install read the "Installation checklist"

Link:https://techdocs.f5.com/kb/en-us/products/big-ip_ltm/releasenotes/product/relnote-ltm-12-1-2.html

Under the paragraph "Installation checklist" of the release note, ensure that you have read and verified listed points.

Source:F5.com 

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