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6.4 Firmware Upgrade/Distribution Processes
SB11 provides two kinds of methods for firmware upgrade, one is using XMODEM, and the other is
using TFTP/FTP. The firmware upgrade is only possible to be performed on the stack master.
Upgrade Processes
After the firmware upgrade operations are finished on stack master, the stack master will distribute the
downloaded code automatically to all stack members to keep all members in the stack are running with
the same firmware version. In order to run the upgraded code, users are requested/strong
recommended to reboot all members in the stack including the stack master.
Distribution Process
Firmware distribution is also only allowed from the stack master by manual operations. Stack master
could distribute its current running code through the stacking links to the whole stack’s members or
specific member in the stack. Stack master could use this function to synchronize the firmware version of
stack’s members. For example, a switch with different firmware version is connected to the stack.
Actually, this switch is not joined to the stack due to the firmware version mismatch. The only way to let
this switch to join the stack is to perform the firmware distribution from the stack master. After the
firmware is distributed to the switch, the upgraded switch is needed to reload with the updated firmware
by user.
Auto-upgrade Processes
Firmware auto-upgrade function is supported for the stack members if user enables the auto-upgrade
function. As a switch with different firmware version is added to the stack, the stack master will download
its current running firmware from flash ROM to this switch. The auto-upgrade processes will wait for a
few seconds/minutes before starting. When the auto-upgrade processes is completed, the switch will be
asked to reload and re-join to the stack with fully functions. There is an exception for the auto-upgrade
function. If the new switch with higher firmware version is added to the stack, the stack master will not
perform the firmware upgrade for this switch automatically even if the auto-upgrade function is enabled.
Instead, stack master will display a message to user indicating the minimum required firmware revision.
Subsequently user can choose to upgrade the new firmware for stack master and whole stack members
manually with this new firmware version via the provided CLI command sets.
In the stacking system design, the whole stacking system can not be changed or influenced by new
added switches. In case of the newer firmware version switch is added to the stack, the stacking system
will not have any upgrade processes.
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