Manual Chapter : Logging Node Cluster Upgrade Overview

Applies To:

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BIG-IQ Centralized Management

  • 5.4.0
Manual Chapter

What is a minimal downtime upgrade?

The minimal downtime upgrade process significantly reduces the amount of time your cluster is offline while you are upgrading to the latest version. The degree to which your cluster can maintain complete online function during upgrade depends on which BIG-IP services and what kind of data you collect.

  • Operators using the BIG-IQ to review alerts and events may notice slightly slower performance during the upgrade. Data may take a bit longer to refresh and searches may take a little more time to execute.
  • You should not lose any ASM events and FPS alerts during the upgrade.
  • There is a brief (approximately 5 seconds) downtime when the master node is upgraded.
  • There is another short (less than a minute) downtime when the secondary BIG-IQ is paired with the primary.

Decide which upgrade guide to use

There are a number of different upgrade guides you can use to upgrade the BIG-IQ® Centralized Management logging node cluster to the latest version. To decide which guide to use, you need to consider a number of factors. First, consider which version you are upgrading from. Then use the appropriate table to determine which guide is most appropriate for your business needs.

Upgrading from version 5.0

To upgrade from version 5.0, use the guide on support.f5.com titled: F5 BIG-IQ Centralized Management: Upgrading Logging Nodes to Version 5.1. When a task instructs you to download and install a v5.1.0 file, download and install a v5.4.0 file instead.

Additionally, after the upgrade is complete, you need to use the 5.4.0 user interface to configure an external storage location for the snapshots created for this cluster. To configure the external storage, you will need the IP address, storage file path, domain name, user name, and password for the location you plan to configure. To access the External Storage screen, click System > BIG-IQ DATA COLLECTION > Big-IQ Data Collection Cluster > Configuration > External Storage & Snapshots and then click Configure. For additional details, refer to Define external storage snapshots location on support.f5.com.

Upgrading from version 5.1

Before you upgrade BIG-IQ from version 5.1, you need to answer a couple of questions.
  • Do you need to preserve the data on your logging node cluster?
  • If so, can you allow your logging node cluster to go offline for an extended period during the upgrade?
Depending on your answers, select one of the following scenarios for further instructions:
I do not need to preserve my data
Use the guide titled: F5 BIG-IQ Centralized Management: Upgrading Logging Nodes to Version 5.2 Without Preserving Existing Data. When a task instructs you to download and install a v5.2.0 file, download and install a v5.4.0 file instead.
I need to preserve my data and I can take my logging node cluster offline during upgrade
Use the guide titled: F5 BIG-IQ Centralized Management: Upgrading Logging Nodes to Version 5.2 While Preserving Existing Data. When a task instructs you to download and install a v5.2.0 file, download and install a v5.4.0 file instead.
I need to preserve my data, I have at least 3 logging nodes, and I need to minimize logging cluster downtime during upgrade
Use the guide titled: F5® BIG-IQ® Centralized Management: Upgrading a Logging Node Cluster from 5.1 to Version 5.4 with Minimal Downtime.

Regardless of which guide you use, after the upgrade is complete, you need to use the 5.4.0 user interface to configure an external storage location for the snapshots created for this cluster. To configure the external storage, you will need the IP address, storage file path, domain name, user name, and password for the location you plan to configure. To access the External Storage screen, click System > BIG-IQ DATA COLLECTION > Big-IQ Data Collection Cluster > Configuration > External Storage & Snapshots and then click Configure. For additional detail, refer to Define external storage snapshots location on support.f5.com.

Upgrading from version 5.2 or 5.3

To decide which guide to use when you upgrade from BIG-IQ ®version 5.2 or 5.3, the main question to answer is whether you can allow your data collection device (DCD) cluster to go offline for an extended period during the upgrade. If you can afford the downtime, the workflow is much more straightforward and takes significantly less effort on your part.
I can take my DCD cluster offline during upgrade
Use the guide titled: F5® BIG-IQ® Centralized Management: Upgrading a Data Collection Cluster to Version 5.4
I need to preserve my data, I have at least 3 DCDs, and I need to minimize logging cluster downtime during upgrade
Use the guide titled: F5® BIG-IQ® Centralized Management: Upgrading a Data Collection Device Cluster from 5.2 or 5.3 to Version 5.4 with Minimal Downtime

How do I upgrade my logging node cluster to the latest version with minimal downtime?

A logging node cluster is made up of all of your logging nodes, the BIG-IQ® Centralized Management device you use to manage them, and an optional BIG-IQ peer device. To avoid taking the logging node cluster offline for an extended time during upgrade, you require a specific workflow.

The diagram illustrates the task sequence for the minimal downtime workflow.

logging node cluster minimal downtime upgrade

Note: To upgrade the logging node cluster successfully with minimal downtime, it is essential that you perform the tasks in the sequence detailed here. You cannot perform these tasks in parallel.

Logging node cluster update requirements

There are a number of items that you need to have ready access to, before you can successfully complete the logging node cluster update. It might be helpful to use the following table to record the values, so you have them at hand when needed.

Device Information needed Information Recorded
Primary BIG-IQ Centralized Management device Management IP address

admin user name and password

 
  root access password  
Secondary BIG-IQ device Management IP address

root access password

admin user name and password

 
Logging nodes Management IP address

root access password