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Updating the Router with JUNOSe Hotfix Files

A JUNOSe hotfix is a file or collection of files that you can apply to update an operational E-series router to address one or more specific, critical software issues. The hotfix can replace or add functionality to one or more software components. Hotfixes also enable the delivery of software updates without having to load an entire software release. Hotfixes can also deploy debugging code to collect data that facilitates troubleshooting of software issues.

Although most hotfixes can also be manually activated without reloading the router, some hotfixes cannot. You can configure any hotfix to be activated automatically when the router reloads.

A hotfix consists of a .hfx file and possibly other supporting files. The .hfx file manages the associated files in much the same way that a .rel file manages supporting files associated with a release image.

To use a hotfix, you must use the copy command to download the file from a network host to the router. You cannot copy the hotfix to an FTP file server. You can use file system commands such as dir, rename, and delete with the hotfix. After a hotfix is copied to the local flash card, it remains there until you explicitly delete it.

Hotfixes must be activated to take effect. A startup hotfix is automatically activated during system initialization. A hot-patchable hotfix does not require a reload to become active; it takes effect immediately if compatibilities and dependencies are correctly met. You can manually install hot-patchable hotfixes with the hotfix activate command. Hot-patchable hotfixes can also be configured to be activated as a startup hotfix.

Arming a hotfix prepares it for activation after a system reload. You can configure hotfixes in several ways with the boot hotfix and hotfix activate commands, as in the following examples:

Activated immediately on an active router but not armed as a startup hotfix. In this case, the hotfix is activated only until the SRP module reloads. If the SRP module reloads, then you must manually activate the hotfix again (if desired) with the hotfix activate command.
Activated immediately on an active router and armed as a startup hotfix. In this case the hotfix is automatically activated after every reload.
Armed as a startup hotfix with the boot hotfix command but not immediately activated. In this case the hotfix is activated when the SRP module reloads.

When a system reloads with the backup settings specified by the boot backup command, no armed hotfixes are activated. The currently armed hotfix settings are retained in the event that the router reverts back to its normal boot settings.

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