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Manual Chapter : Software Management

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Enterprise Manager

  • 3.1.1
Manual Chapter
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Overview: Downloading, importing, and installing software images

Using Enterprise Manager to centrally manage your software images saves you time, because you do not have to log in to each individual device to download, install, or roll back to a previous version of a software image.

Files available for download

You can download and store several versions of software images for any number of different devices. The following file image types are hosted on the F5 Networks Download site located at http://downloads.f5.com.

File class Description and purpose File extension
Software image file A software image contains all of the packages necessary and is not specific to a local or remote installation. Use a software image to perform a full software upgrade to the most recent version. .iso
Hotfix image file Legacy hotfix packages are IM files, which update a portion of the existing software without requiring a full installation. All other hotfix packages are ISO files, which require that you install the base software image with the hotfix. Use hotfix packages to install fixes developed since the last release. .im or .iso
BIG-IP Application Security Manager signature file The attack signature files protects your network against attacks and threats. Download attack signature files to update the files shipped with BIG-IP Application Security Manager to ensure that you are protected against the most recent threats. .im
Checksum file A checksum file verifies the integrity of a software image that you downloaded. Use the checksum file to confirm that data errors were not introduced when you downloaded an image. .md5
Documentation file Some software images include a text or readme file. Use this file to supplement the documentation provided with the release. .txt or .readme

Downloading software images and files

To access the F5 Downloads site you must have an F5 Networks Technical Support single sign-on account, which you can obtain from https://downloads.f5.com.
From the F5 Networks Downloads site, you can acquire the software images and other files you need to assist you in device management.
  1. Using a web browser, browse to https://downloads.f5.com. The single sign-on screen opens.
  2. In the User Email field, type the email address for your F5 Technical Support account.
  3. In the Password field, type your password.
  4. Click Login The Downloads Overview screen opens and displays notes about using the F5 Networks Downloads site.
  5. Click the Find a Download button. The Select a Product Line screen opens listing all F5 product families.
  6. Click the product version located next to the product family and that you want to download. The Product Version and Container screen opens, listing the available software images for the current product version.
  7. Click the name of the container that corresponds to the software image that you want to download. The Software Terms and Conditions screen opens, displaying the End User License Agreement (EULA) screen.
  8. Read the EULA and click the I Accept button. The Select a Download screen opens.
  9. Click the name of the file that you want to download. The Select a Download Method screen opens.
  10. Click the download icon next to the protocol that you want to use. A dialog box opens, prompting you to save the file to your local system.
When the download is complete, the file is available to import.

Importing software images to the software repository

You must download software images and files from the https://downloads.f5.com site before you can import them to the Enterprise Manager software repository.
Software images imported to the software repository are available for distribution to managed devices.
  1. On the Main tab, click Enterprise Management > Repository.
  2. Select the list associated with the software that you downloaded and saved, and that you want to add to the repository. The options include:
    • Hotfix Image List
    • Signature List
    • Software Image List
    The associated image list screen opens.
  3. Click the Import button located above the image list. The Import screen opens.
  4. Click the Choose File button and browse to the location that you saved the downloaded file.
  5. Select the file and click the Import button. The Repository list screen opens and the image name appears with the status of Importing.
When the importation is complete, the software image displays in the associated repository list screen with the status of Imported.

About software installation

Starting in BIG-IP version 10.0 and Enterprise Manager version 2.0, devices use the Logical Volume Management (LVM) disk-formatting scheme that dynamically adds virtual storage space for software through the use of volumes. A volume is a specific section of the hard drive that can hold a complete version of software.

The LVM scheme allows you to install software images in a separate volume of a currently running system, without impacting the system or application traffic to the device. You can also install software to another boot location while continuing to use the active boot location with the current software installation. During a normal maintenance window, you can boot the system to the new boot location, at which time you can test application traffic and verify that the new image is working as expected. have the option of formatting the device's hard drive, for the purpose of software installation, in volumes.

For software releases after version 10.x or Enterprise Manager version 2.x, you use the Software Image Copy and Installation wizard to guide you through the steps to copy and install downloaded software and hotfix images to a particular volume on the managed devices in your network. If you have legacy devices in your network that are running software version prior to version 10.x or Enterprise Manager version 2.x, you use the Legacy Software Image Installation wizard.

Using the Software Image Copy and Installation wizard

Before you start a software image copy and installation task, you must first download the software image and import it into the software repository.

Important: You cannot install software to a Compact Flash boot location using the Software Image Copy and Installation wizard.
You use the Software Image Copy and Installation wizard to copy a software image and install it to one or more specified devices. This task applies only to managed devices running versions later than 10.x or Enterprise Manager version 2.x.
  1. On the Main tab, click Enterprise Management > Tasks.
  2. For the Software Installation setting, select Copy and Install Software and Hotfix Images.
  3. Click Next. The Software Image Copy and Installation screen opens.
  4. From the Software Image list, select the software image that you want to copy to one or more devices. The Compatible Devices list refreshes to display the devices available for this installation.
  5. From the Hotfix Image select an optional hotfix to apply to the software image.
  6. From the Task Type list, select Copy Install Image(s) copies and installs the software image to the selected devices, in one task.
  7. Use the Device List and Device Filter settings to specify which devices you want displayed.
  8. Select the check box next to one or more devices on which you want to install this software image and click the Next button.
  9. Specify settings for the following options.
    Option Description
    Post-Install Run Location Select the location to which you want the device to reboot after software is installed.
    Configuration Archive Specify whether to include or exclude private keys in the configuration archive.
    Device Error Behavior Select the action that you want the system to take if an error is encountered during the software installation task.
  10. Click the Start Task button.
The screen refreshes to display the software installation task progress.

Using the Legacy Software Image Installation wizard

Before you start a software image copy and installation task, you must first download the software image and import it into the software repository.

You use the Legacy Software Image Installation wizard to select a software image and install it to one or more specified devices. This task applies only to managed devices running versions prior to 10.x or Enterprise Manager version 2.x.
  1. On the Main tab, click Enterprise Management > Tasks.
  2. For the Software Installation Setting, select Install Legacy Software Image and click the Next button. The Legacy Software Image Installation wizard opens.
  3. From the Software Image list, select the Legacy Software Image you want to install. The Compatible Devices table refreshes to display only devices that are compatible with the software image you selected.
  4. From the Software Image list, select the software image that you want to copy to one or more devices. The Compatible Devices list refreshes to display the devices available for this installation.
  5. Select the check box next to one or more devices on which you want to install this software image and click the Next button.
  6. From the Hotfix Image list, select an optional hotfix to include with the software installation and click the Next button.
  7. Specify settings for the following options.
    Option Description
    Install Location Select the location to install the software image.
    Configuration Options Specify whether to install the full or essential configuration.
    Post-Install Run Location Select the location to which you want the device to reboot after software is installed.
    Configuration Archive Specify whether to include or exclude private keys in the configuration archive.
    Device Error Behavior Select the action that you want the system to take if an error is encountered during the software installation task.
  8. Click the Next button. The Task Review screen opens
  9. Review the options and click the Start Task button. The screen refreshes to display the software installation task progress.
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