Pre-upgrade checklists

Preparation for site visits

If you are a system engineer responsible for customer upgrade and installations, use the following information to determine what you need to do before you go to customer sites.

Task	How to do it	Comments
Materials to obtain before going to the customer site
(Optional) Obtain 256-MB CompactFlash^TM cards if you want to replace 32-MB cards with 256-MB cards.	If you are using the existing Return Material Authorization (RMA) process to replace a 32-MB card with a 256-MB card, obtain the card by submitting a request at http://now.netapp.com/Self-Service/FORMS/frmSearch.asp?ObjType=NA_WEB_SUBMIT_RMA or by following the instructions from your authorized reseller.	See Secondary image on systems with 32-MB CompactFlash cards for information to help you decide whether to install 256-MB cards.
(Recommended) Download the required gFiler system firmware and the required Data ONTAP software onto your laptop computer before going to a customer site.	See the instructions in Chapter 2, About upgrading the system firmware and Chapter 3, Upgrading Data ONTAP on the gFiler.	The gFiler must be upgraded to system firmware 4.2.2 or later before upgrading to Data ONTAP 6.5.1. If the gFiler is running Data ONTAP 6.4 or 6.4.1, you must upgrade to Data ONTAP 6.4.2x before upgrading to 6.5.1.

Secondary image on systems with 32-MB CompactFlash cards

During a Data ONTAP upgrade on CompactFlash-based systems, the download command copies a new boot image to the CompactFlash card and attempts to back up the existing boot image as a secondary boot image. Beginning with Data ONTAP 6.5, two boot images cannot fit on 32-MB CompactFlash media; therefore, a secondary CompactFlash boot image is not available. Although the secondary image is no longer available, the alternative mechanisms of booting over a network (netboot) for recovery are adequate. It is unlikely that a secondary image will be required.

Note
NetApp gFilers support only CompactFlash media distributed by NetApp and its partners.

Upgrade overview for a gFiler

The following checklist provides an overview of the main steps in upgrading a gFiler after you complete planning.

Task	How to do it	Comments
At the console of the gFiler, check the current gFiler firmware level	Enter the following command: `sysconfig -v 0`	If the system firmware is not at version 4.2.2 or later, see Chapter 2, About upgrading the system firmware for the procedure for how to upgrade the firmware.
Determine the version of Data ONTAP that the gFiler is running.	Enter the following command at the console: `version`	The upgrade process differs depending on the version of the software installed on the gFiler.
Upgrade the Data ONTAP software.	Follow the instructions in Chapter 3, Upgrading Data ONTAP on the gFiler.	--

Task

How to do it

Comments

At the console of the gFiler, check the current gFiler firmware level

Enter the following command:

sysconfig -v 0

If the system firmware is not at version 4.2.2 or later, see Chapter 2, About upgrading the system firmware for the procedure for how to upgrade the firmware.

Determine the version of Data ONTAP that the gFiler is running.

Enter the following command at the console:

version

The upgrade process differs depending on the version of the software installed on the gFiler.

Upgrade the Data ONTAP software.

Follow the instructions in Chapter 3, Upgrading Data ONTAP on the gFiler.