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User Guide for Resource Manager Essentials 4.1
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Chapter 12 Managing Software Images Using Software Management
Software Distribution
Software Management downloads images from more than one device in parallel. You must ensure
that the tftboot directory (NMSROOT/tftboot) has enough free space to accommodate at least 20
images.
• Determining any limitations or requirements for the selected devices
For example, SFB devices have several upgrade requirements and limitations.
• Updating the inventory
Since Software Management uses the inventory to make image and Flash memory
recommendations, be sure that your current inventory reflects the correct device information.
For some devices such as 6400 NRP1, 801, and 802, etc., Software Management contacts devices to
get the Flash information.
• Configuring file transfer protocol order
Before scheduling a software upgrade job, set the protocol order for configuration file transfer.
For fetching configuration from device, the protocol settings of Configuration Management is used.
Software Management uses the same protocol for fetch and download of configurations. You can set
the Configuration Management protocol order using Resource Manager Essentials > Admin >
Config Mgmt.
For better performance, set tftp as the first protocol.
• Determining the upgrade and execution order
Based on your network topology and to minimize the impact on your network, you can schedule the
upgrades job either sequentially or in parallel.
For example, if devices A, B, and C are networked sequentially, then you must upgrade device C
first, then device B, then device A. If you upgrade device B first, you might no longer have access
to device C.
• Determining the upgrade schedule
For most devices, you can schedule the software to:
–
Distribute the software to the device and reload the device immediately.
–
Distribute the software only. You will perform the reloads manually.
The following devices are always rebooted immediately after the software is downloaded:
–
Single Flash bank devices
–
FDDI/CDDI, ATM, and Token Ring modules on Catalyst switches
• Checking the Work Order report
The Work Order report contains such information as the state of the software running on the device
and the new software, the operations that will be performed during the upgrade procedure, and any
important notes that you should be aware of before the upgrade begins.
Authorizing a Distribution Job
The Job Approval approval option allows you to require job upgrade approvals before running a
scheduled job. It enforces the approval process by sending job requests through e-mail to people on the
approver list.
To set up the authorization process:
• Select the appropriate Job Approval options.