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Understanding Software Installation on EX-series Switches

An EX-series switch is delivered with the JUNOS software preinstalled. As new features and software fixes become available, you must upgrade your software to use them. You can also downgrade a newly purchased system to a previous JUNOS software release if you want to maintain consistent versions in your network.

Overview of the Software Installation Process

An EX-series switch is delivered with the JUNOS software preinstalled. When you connect power to the switch, it starts (boots) up from the installed software.

You upgrade the JUNOS software on an EX-series switch by copying a software package to your switch or another system on your local network, then use either the J-Web interface or the CLI to install the new software package on the switch. Finally, you reboot the switch; it boots from the upgraded software. After a successful upgrade, you should back up the new current configuration to a secondary device.

During a successful upgrade, the upgrade package removes all files from /var/tmp and completely reinstalls the existing software. It retains configuration files, and similar information, such as secure shell and host keys, from the previous version. The previous software package is preserved in a separate disk partition, and you can manually revert back to it if necessary. If the software installation fails for any reason, such as loss of power during the installation process, the system returns to the originally active installation when you reboot.

Software Package Security

All JUNOS software is delivered in signed packages that contain digital signatures to ensure official Juniper Networks software. For more information about signed software packages, see the JUNOS Software Installation and Upgrade Guide at https://www.juniper.net/techpubs/software/junos/junos95/index.html.

Installing Software on a Virtual Chassis

You can connect individual EX 4200 switches together to form one unit and manage the unit as a single chassis, called a virtual chassis. The virtual chassis operates as a single network entity composed of members. Each member of a virtual chassis runs a JUNOS software package.

For ease of management, the virtual chassis provides flexible methods to upgrade software releases. You can deploy a new software release to all members of a virtual chassis or to only a particular member.

Installing Software on EX 8200 series Switches with Redundant Routing Engines

To install software on an EX 8200 series switch that has two Routing Engines with minimal network disruption, you perform a JUNOS software installation on each Routing Engine separately, starting with the backup. See Installing Software on an EX 8200 series Switch with Redundant Routing Engines (CLI Procedure).

Troubleshooting Software Installation

If the JUNOS software loads but the CLI is not working for any reason, or if the switch has no software installed, you can use the recovery installation procedure to install the JUNOS software on the switch. See Troubleshooting Software Installation.

Note: You can also use this procedure to load two versions of JUNOS software in separate partitions on the switch.

Updated: 2009-04-03

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