The QFX10K8 switch contains two Routing Engines (REs): re0 (Master) and re1 (Backup). To upgrade the switch, you must install the software on both routing engines.

This KB explains two upgrade methods:

1. Rebooting both REs at once (causing downtime).
2. Upgrading each RE separately (minimizing network disruption).

Option 1: Reboot Both REs at Once

Step 1: Install Software on Both REs

• Copy the firmware file to the master RE in the /var/tmp/ directory.
• Copy the firmware file from the master RE to the backup RE’s /var/tmp/ directory using: file copy /var/tmp/<firmware-file>.tgz re1:/var/tmp/
• Ensure that the firmware file is available on both REs.

Step 2: Upgrade Both REs

• On the master RE, install the software using: request system software add /var/tmp/<firmware-file>.tgz
• Switch to the backup RE using: request routing-engine login backup
• On the backup RE, install the software: request system software add /var/tmp/<firmware-file>.tgz

Step 3: Reboot Both REs

• Reboot the device with both routing engines simultaneously using: request system reboot both-routing-engines

Option 2: Upgrade One RE at a Time (Minimized Downtime)

Step 1: Copy the Software

• Follow the same steps as in Option 1, Step 1 to copy the software to both REs.

Step 2: Disable High-Availability Features

• On the master RE, remove the following settings:

delete chassis routing-engine graceful-switchover

delete routing-options nonstop-routing

delete protocols layer2-control nonstop-bridging

• Commit the changes.

Step 3: Upgrade the Backup RE

• Log in to the backup RE: request routing-engine login backup
• Install the software on the backup RE: request system software add /var/tmp/<firmware-file>.tgz
• Reboot the backup RE: request system reboot at now
• Wait for the backup RE to come back online with the new firmware.

Step 4: Mastership Switchover

• Log in to the master RE: request routing-engine login master
• Switch mastership to the backup RE: request chassis routing-engine master switch
• Allow about 15 minutes for PFE and routing protocols to stabilize.

Step 5: Upgrade the Current Backup RE (Former Master RE)

• Log in to the current backup RE (previously the master): request routing-engine login backup
• Install the software: request system software add /var/tmp/<firmware-file>.tgz
• Reboot the backup RE: request system reboot at now

Step 6: Restore Original Mastership

• Switch mastership back to the original master RE: request chassis routing-engine master switch
• Wait 15 minutes for stabilization.

Step 7: Re-enable High-Availability Features

• Restore the settings using:
• set chassis routing-engine graceful-switchover
• set routing-options nonstop-routing
• set protocols layer2-control nonstop-bridging
• Commit the changes.

Verification

After completing the upgrade, verify the software version on both REs using: show version invoke-on all-routing-engines

2025-03-19 : Article Created

2026-05-28 : making the content external