Description

This article describes the upgrade procedure for EX92K series dual RE switches

Symptoms

Upgrading EX92xx model with dual RE.

Solution

While upgrading the EX92K series switches to newer version, we must consider one important aspect, that is upgrading the i40e NVM. The Linux kernel version WRL9 will no longer support the Intel i40e NVM firmware version prior to 6.01. In order to install WRL9 JUNOS vmhost image, an upgrade of i40e NVM firmware to version 6.01 is required.

The jfirmware-vmhost package contains the i40e NVM firmware upgrade. It is expected that we use the jfirmware-vmhost package according to the running version of the system. To get the jfirmware image please reach out to the JTAC support.

Below are the steps / procedure to upgrade Junos OS and NVM firmware
 

STEP 1: Upload two files from the support site: >>> https://support.juniper.net/support/

1. Junos OS for OS upgrade   
2. jfirmware-vmhost package for  i40e NVM firmware upgrade

Both these files must be copied/transferred to /var/tmp on both the RE's via winscp, file-zilla, sftp.
 

STEP 2: Ensure GRES and NSR are disabled by using the below commands from cli: 
root@RE-0# delete routing-options nonstop-routing
root@RE-0# deactivate chassis redundancy graceful-switchover
root@RE-0# commit synchronize

STEP 3: Perform jfirmware upgrade on secondary RE which is currently acting as BACK-UP RE.

In the below example, RE-0 is Primary RE and RE-1 is Secondary RE

CONNECT VIA CONSOLE:

############ CHECK NVM FIRMWARE ############

RE1 (SECONDARY) 
root@RE-1> show system firmware
Part Type Tag Current Available Status
version version
Routing Engine 0 RE i40e-NVM 7 4.26 0 OK <-- Look for this line
############ ADD FIRMWARE ############

RE1 (SECONDARY) 
root@RE-1> request vmhost software add /var/tmp/jfirmware-vmhost-x86-64-20.4R3-S5.4.tgz
############ UPDATE FIRMWARE ############

RE1 (SECONDARY) 
root@RE-1> request system firmware upgrade re i40nvm
############ CHECK FIRMWARE STATUS ############

RE1 (SECONDARY) 
root@RE-1> show system firmware
 
Part Type Tag Current Available Status
version version
Routing Engine 0 RE i40e-NVM 7 4.26 6.01 PROGRAMMING (0%) <-- Look for this line
############ REBOOT TO COMPLETE FIRMWARE UPGRADE ############

RE1 (SECONDARY) 
root@RE-1> request vmhost reboot
*** MONITOR CONSOLE. REBOOT WHEN ASKED. ***
“Please Power Cycle your system now and run the NVM update utility again to complete the update. Failure to do so will result in an incomplete NVM update.
Upgrade complete please power reboot
You may notify to power reboot again after reboot if required” 
############ BELOW STEP IS NECESSARY IN ORDER TO COMPLETE THE NVM UPGRADE ############

FROM RE0 (PRIMARY) : 
root@RE-0> request chassis cb slot 1 offline
Offline initiated, use "show chassis environment cb" to verify
FROM RE0 (PRIMARY) : 
root@RE-0> request chassis cb slot 1 online
Online initiated, use "show chassis environment cb" to verify
############ CHECK FIRMWARE WHEN DONE ############

RE1 (SECONDARY) 
root@RE-1> show system firmware
 
Part Type Tag Current Available Status
version version
Routing Engine 0 RE i40e-NVM 7 6.1 6.01 <-- Look for this line
** NOTE THE CURRENT VERSION DISPLAYS 6.1 INSTEAD OF 6.01 **

STEP 4: Upgrade JunOS on inactive RE.

############ PERFORM JUNOS UPGRADE ############

RE1 (SECONDARY) 
root@RE-1> request vmhost software add /var/tmp/junos-vmhost-install-ex92xx-x86-64-21.4R3-Sx no-validate

STEP 5: Fail over RE's when upgrade is complete

FROM RE0 (PRIMARY) : 
user@RE-0> request chassis routing-engine master switch
 REPEAT STEPS 3 AND 4 ON NEW SECONDARY RE (RE-0) 
 
Note: Above method is example method make changes according to version. You must upgrade i40e NVM firmware only under the direction of a Juniper Networks support representative. Once you upgrade the NVM firmware, a downgrade action is not supported. During the NVM upgrade , we need to verify the progress of i40e NVM upgrade on the console. You may have to perform power recycle of the Routing Engine multiple times. When you are prompted for a power cycle on your console, use external power cycle for power cycling the Routing Engine.

The following message is displayed on the console prompting you to perform a power cycle: 
“Please Power Cycle your system now and run the NVM update utility again to complete the update. Failure to do so will result in an incomplete NVM update. Upgrade complete please power reboot You may notify to power reboot again after reboot if required”
It is required to have console access as well as physical access because when programming the firmware, the RE asks for a hard power cycle. ( May have to perform power recycle of the Routing Engine multiple times)

When performing the switchover to the other RE we should not have any problems, however the ideal for these procedures is to have a MW with time down to avoid any process that may fail.
 
For more queries or any issues with respect to EX92K upgrade, kindly open JTAC case for further investigation. 

Modification History

2024-02-27: Article modified
2024-02-26: Article created

Related Information

https://supportportal.juniper.net/s/article/VMHOST-platforms-are-required-to-upgrade-the-Intel-i40e-NVM-firmware-for-installing-WRL9-based-JUNOS-vmhost-image?language=en_US
https://www.juniper.net/documentation/us/en/software/junos/junos-install-upgrade/topics/task/vmhost-nvm-upgrade.html