Hi all,
I have to upgrade a Virtual Chassis composed of 2 XRE-200 and 2 EX8216 from version 11.3 to version 12.3 with minimal downtime.
ISSU is out of the question because version 11.3 does not support it, should be in 11.4 for a proper ISSU (according to JTAC).
I am considering splitting the Virtual Chassis in 2 groups:
Member 8 (Primary XRE) and Member 0 (EX8216)
Member 9 (Secondary XRE) and Member 1 (EX8216)
This split would consist in the following:
Activate no-split-detection
Disable all interfaces existing in Member 1 (I have full redundancy on the links)
Take down all VC connections between both groups.
Maintain only a single VC connection between XRE and corresponding EX8216
I am planning to upgrade the first group that had the standby XRE (Member 9 and Member 1) to the new version.
After rebooting the group and verify its sanity, I'll disable all interfaces in the the Master group (Member 8 and Member 0) and activate traffic on the new upgraded group (Member 9 and Member 1). This is where I'll have downtime
Then upgrade the remaining group (Member 8 and Member 0), reboot, shutdown, connect all vc cables and then power on again to integrate correctly in the VC.
I have a doubt in the process that I cannot test because I don't have a lab with such boxes.
On the upgrade of each group, there will be only one connection to a RE of each EX8216 to the corresponding XRE200.
On the Secondary XRE, this will be connected to the Backup RE of the EX8216.
Do you know if when I upgrade a group of XRE200 and EX8216, both RE of the EX8216 will be upgraded despite one of them not being connected through Ethernet?
I am most certain that it will be fully upgraded but I'd like your input.
I have contacted JTAC but I am still struggling with them fro them to understand what I want.
Thanks,
Paulo