Updated Date: 01/27/2005
Summary:
This technical note documents performing a clean install of the BIG-IP software version 9.0.4 using a CD mounted on an installation server. For information about installing the software, please refer to the instructions below.
Contents:
The minimum system requirements for this release are:
The supported browsers for the Configuration utility are:
This upgrade is supported only on the following platforms:
If you are unsure which platform you have, look at the sticker on the back of the chassis to find the platform number.
This technical note describes how to create a clean install of the BIG-IP software to version 9.0.4.
Use these procedures to upgrade directly to version 9.0.4.
The process of upgrading to BIG-IP version 9.0.4 requires:
The following sections describe how to perform these tasks.
Before you perform a network boot from a CD, you must designate and configure a remote host to be a Pre-boot Execution Environment (PXE) server. This remote host must meet all the following criteria:
Note: You must connect the installation server to the MGMT port on the BIG-IP unit.
Note: If you are upgrading a BIG-IP 1500 (C36), BIG-IP 3400 (C62), or BIG-IP 6400 (D63) platform, you must use an Ethernet cross-over cable to connect to the management interface. If you are upgrading a BIG-IP 1000 (D39), BIG-IP 2400 (D44), BIG-IP 5100 or 5110 (D51), you can use a standard Ethernet cable to connect to the management interface.
Once you have designated a host, complete the following steps:
Select terminal type? [vt100]
Press Enter to use vt100 emulation, or type the name of the terminal emulator you are using.
Maintenance OS Options Serve Provide network installation services Install Install software onto hard disk Reboot Reboot to your current system Exit Exit to maintenance shell
Use existing DHCP server on subnet [no]?
IP network [10.1.10]?
IP address of server 10.1.10[n] [199]?
Lower range for clients 10.1.10.[n] [199]?
Upper range for clients 10.1.10.[n] [200]?
Note: When you enter the IP address of the server, you need to enter only the last octet. When completing the lower and upper ranges for the clients, enter the network number(s) where the clients are situated.
After you designate and configure a remote host to be a installation server, you are ready to perform the network boot from the console of the platform on which you wish to install the software.
Note: You must connect the installation server to the MGMT port on the BIG-IP unit.
bigpipe db boot.netreboot enable
rebootIf you receive the following message after you type the reboot command, use a paperclip to push the RESET button on the front panel of the IP Application Switch. Then, within ten seconds, use a paperclip to push the NETboot button.
The requested operation is not supported by the hardware.
Press M or Control-SPACE to view menu.Let the timer count down to auto-select the installation options. After the timer counts down, the installer presents the terminal type.
Terminal type? [vt100]Press Enter to continue, or type the terminal type you are using. We recommend that you use vt100.
The software takes only a few minutes to install. Once the installation is complete, the unit reboots to the installation in slot 0 or CF (compact flash). You can use the switchboot utility to specify which installation you want to boot by default. For more information about the switchboot utility, see the BIG-IP version 9.0.4 release notes.
After you complete the installation of the software, and before you license the software, run the config command to configure an IP address, net mask, and gateway on the management port (MGMT). The config command is a command line utility created for this purpose. You can run the config command from the serial console you used during installation.
To run the config command, type the following command:
config
After you run this utility and add an IP address, net mask, and gateway to your management port, you can log in to the Configuration utility (graphical user interface), and license the unit.
Before you can convert your configuration files or configure the system, you must license the version 9.0.4 software. To activate the license for the system, you must have a base registration key. The registration key is a 27-character string that lets the license server know which F5 products you are entitled to license. If you do not already have a registration key, you can obtain one using the dossier from a licensed 4.5x system (http://license.f5.com). For details, see Obtaining a version 9.0x registration key.