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In-Service Software Upgrade

This topic briefly describes the in-service software upgrade (ISSU) feature and its configuration on the QFX5220 (except the QFX5220-128C switch), QFX5230, QFX5240, and QFX5241 Switches.

Overview

The QFX Series Switches (except QFX5220-128C) support the in-service software upgrade (ISSU) feature. You can use ISSU to upgrade the network devices to a new software version without disrupting the network service. For more information about ISSU on QFX Series Switches, see In-service Software Upgrade.

The upgrade time for an ISSU on the QFX Series Switches depends on the platform and network conditions. The procedure minimizes traffic disruption and downtime. The ISSU process restarts applications instead of performing full system reboot, reducing upgrade time.

Prerequisites to Perform ISSU

You must make sure that the following prerequisites are met before upgrading Junos OS Evolved on your switch:

  • You have sufficient disk space for the upgrade and a backup of the system is available.

  • Download the software package from the Juniper Networks Support website at https://www.juniper.net/support/ and place the package on your local server.

  • If the BGP protocol is configured on the main routing instance or a specific routing instance, then configure BGP graceful restart and set the restart-time value to greater than or equal to 300 seconds.

  • If OSPF runs on the main or specific routing instance, set the graceful restart-time value. The default is 180s, but you can configure it from 300s to 3600s.

  • If the IS-IS protocol is configured on the main routing instance or a specific routing instance, then configure IS-IS graceful restart and set the restart-time value to greater than or equal to 300 seconds. IS-IS restart-duration range is 30–300 seconds (default 30 seconds), with a maximum of 300 seconds.

  • To configure BGP graceful restart and the restart-time value on the main routing instance:

  • To ensure that graceful restart works reliably, set the IS-IS hold-time to 41 seconds or greater (default is 27 seconds).

  • If the PIM protocol is configured on the main routing instance or a specific routing instance, then configure PIM graceful restart and set the restart-time value to greater than or equal to 300 seconds.

    Note: QFX5230 does not support graceful restart for the PIM protocol.
  • To verify any protocol (IS-IS, PIM, BGP, OSPF) configuration:

  • If a spanning tree protocol (STP) is configured, then configure the STP-enabled ports as edge ports and enable bridge protocol data unit (BPDU) protection.

  • Configure the value of the Address Resolution Protocol (ARP) aging timer to 240 minutes.

    If you want to configure ARP under a specific routing-instance, use the following command:

  • Validate the existing configuration against the new software image to check whether it supports ISSU.

Upgrade a QFX Series Switch OS Using ISSU

To upgrade the QFX Series Switch operating system (OS) using ISSU:

  1. Run the following command on the switch whose OS you want to upgrade:

  2. Log in at the login prompt and run the following command to verify the release of the installed software:

  3. Verify that the system is running properly and correctly handling traffic following prerequisites listed in Prerequisites to Perform ISSU.

  4. If you want to make any changes to the configuration after the upgrade, remember to back up the software and configuration:

Effects of ISSU

The packet or data loss that happens during the upgrade process varies from switch to switch.

  • The QFX5220-32CD switch has a minimal packet loss of up to 50 ms during upgrade, whereas the QFX5230, QFX5240, and QFX5241 switches have a packet loss of up to 200 ms.

  • There is more data loss in the QFX5230, QFX5240, and QFX5241 switches as compared to the QFX5220-32CD switch. This is because the new switches offer more scalability, flexibility, improved architecture, and support for new features such as EVPN-VXLAN.