Pre-upgrade checklist for NetBackup Appliance 5.1.1

Supported direct upgrade paths for version 5.1.1

Models 5240, 5250 and 5340 with NetBackup Appliance versions 3.3.0.1, 4.0, 4.1 and 5.0
Model 5350 with NetBackup Appliance version 4.0, 4.1 and 5.0
HA 5340 setup with version 4.0, 4.1 and 5.0

Upgrade duration

Typically, the upgrade can take from 1 - 2 hours to complete, depending on the appliance model configuration and the version you are upgrading from. This time estimate is based on lab test results for upgrades from all supported direct upgrade paths. The actual upgrade time is dependent on the complexity of the configured environment and may vary.

Required downloads and hotfixes

Before upgrading to version 5.1.1, make sure that you download the following:

-    Appliance Upgrade Readiness Analyzer: NetBackup Appliance Upgrade Readiness Analyzer (veritas.com)

Always download and install the latest version which supports the required upgrade path.

Note: You can verify the latest version by running the Manage > Software> List Downloaded command as described in the Appliance Upgrade Readiness Analyzer tech note article.
The analyzer tool performs a comprehensive check to determine if the appliance has met all the pre-upgrade requirements and can be upgraded. The analyzer tool must complete successfully before you begin the upgrade to 5.1.1 version.

Specific configurations

Perform the following tasks as needed, based on your current configuration:
•    Export and re-import device certificates

The AutoSupport CallHome feature requires device certificates for validation purpose, in addition to the networking communications potentially usage.

To avoid a scenario where the device certificates are not retained after the upgrade has completed, you must export the device certificates before upgrading the appliances. Use the Network > Security > Export command to perform this task.

The Export command copies two .pfx files (serialnumber.pfx and serialnumber.pfx) to a location that you specify when you run the command. After the upgrade has completed, re-import the saved device certificates with the Network > Security > Import command.
Additionally, starting with version 4.1, the /inst/plugin/incoming and /inst/logforwarding shares have been merged into /inst/share. If these shares are open before the upgrade, they will be unavailable after completing the upgrade. You can reopen the shares using the following commands, if needed:

Manage > OpenStorage > Share Open or Settings > LogForwarding > Share Open

Pre-upgrade steps

Before you begin an appliance upgrade, perform the following tasks. If you encounter any problems, contact Veritas Support.
•    You must remove the existing NetBackup Nutanix plugin package before the upgrade process upgrades NetBackup Red Hat with the native installers. During the appliance upgrade process, both the Nutanix plugin and NetBackup install the same libraries to the same location, which causes the upgrade to fail. For details, refer to the following article: https://www.veritas.com/support/en_US/article.100049021
•    Before you begin the upgrade, reboot the appliance with the following command and make sure that no issues occur: Support > Reboot
Plan to include this task in your upgrade window since rebooting can take substantial time, depending on your configuration.

•    After the appliance has rebooted, run the following commands to check the appliance status:

Support > Test Hardware

Support > Test Software

If any issues appear in the command output, contact Veritas Technical Support for assistance.
•    If you have not already completed running the Appliance Upgrade Readiness Analyzer, without any errors, then you need to run it. Before running the analyzer tool, check the NetBackup Appliance Upgrade Readiness Analyzer (veritas.com)  to make sure you have the latest version. If the analyzer tool runs successfully without any errors, you can start the upgrade process. If any errors are reported, you must first address all the issues and then run the analyzer tool again. Keep repeating this sequence until the analyzer tool completes successfully without any errors. The upgrade is blocked until the analyzer tool runs successfully without errors. It is strongly recommended to run the analyzer tool a few days before the actual upgrade window so that any errors can be addressed in advance. Additionally, it is strongly recommended to run the analyzer tool again just before the upgrade to make sure that all pre-upgrade requirements are still met. The analyzer tool must be run at least once within 1 day of the actual upgrade or else the upgrade will not proceed.
•    Starting with version 4.1, you must first run the Appliance Upgrade Readiness Analyzer on both HA nodes before you upgrade them. Start by running the analyzer tool on the compute node where the MSDP and the virtual IP services are online. Then, run the analyzer tool on the partner node where the MSDP and the virtual IP services are offline. After both nodes have passed the preflight checks, begin the upgrade. First upgrade the partner node, and then upgrade the compute node.
•    Be sure to use account “admin” run upgrade installation and check the upgrade state.

You can now upgrade your appliance. Go to the Veritas Support Downloads site, locate the NetBackup Appliance OS 5.1.1 release, then click Learn more for information about the following:
    •    Release overview
    •    Download instructions
    •    Base and upgrade installers
    •    Updates