Brocade Fibre Channel Firmware Upgrade: Legacy FOS 6.2 Example
This is a historical transcript ending at Fabric OS v6.2.0a, with 2009 build/flash dates. It is not a recommendation to install that obsolete release. The example host, account, paths and wait times belong to that session.
Prepare the supported upgrade
Check the exact switch, current and target FOS releases, supported upgrade hops and fabric/host compatibility in the matching vendor guide. Back up configuration and collect diagnostic data. Whether an upgrade is nondisruptive depends on the supported path and platform; the transcript’s warm-boot message is not a guarantee for other systems. Management sessions will disconnect.
Backup, download and verify: original session
The source uses FTP. Use a transfer protocol supported by the actual release and policy. The ./ firmware path is its particular server layout; it is not a universal package path. Firmware directories and release.plist handling must match the target-release instructions.
Backup current configuration
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sw1-1:admin> configupload //Export current configuration just in case
Protocol (scp, ftp, local) [ftp]: //Use default FTP
Server Name or IP Address [host]: 16.157.101.95 //IP address of your own FTP server
User Name [user]: admin //Username configured in your FTP software
File Name [config.txt]: //Filename for exporting configuration; the default can be used here
Password: //Password configured in your FTP software
configUpload complete: All config parameters are uploaded //Indicates successful export
Start the firmware upgrading
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sw1-1:admin> firmwaredownload //Command to upgrade firmware
Server Name or IP Address: 16.157.101.95 //IP address of your own FTP server
User Name: admin //Username configured in your FTP software
File Name: ./ //Filename for upgrading firmware; enter ./ so the switch searches automatically
Network Protocol(1-auto-select, 2-FTP, 3-SCP) [1]: 2 //Select FTP method
Password: //Password configured in your FTP software
Checking system settings for firmwaredownload... //Switch performs self-check
Server IP: 16.157.101.95, Protocol IPv4
System settings check passed.
You can run firmwaredownloadstatus to get the status of this command.
This command will cause a warm/non-disruptive boot on the switch,
but will require that existing telnet, secure telnet or SSH sessions be restarted.
Do you want to continue [Y]: y //Prompt asking if you wish to proceed with upgrade
Firmware is being downloaded to the switch. This step may take up to 30 minutes.
Preparing for firmwaredownload... //Upgrade process has started
Start to install packages...
dir ##################################################
............
kernel-module-ipsec ##################################################
Removing unneeded files, please wait ...
Finished removing unneeded files.
All packages have been downloaded successfully.
Firmware has been downloaded to the secondary partition of the switch.
HA Rebooting ... //Switch reboots automatically after upgrade completion
<Your 'TELNET' connection has terminated>
Fabric OS (sw1-1)
Fabos Version 6.2.0a //Wait 5 to 10 minutes before reconnecting to the switch; new version number is now visible here
sw1-1 login: admin //Log in again
Password:
-----------------------------------------------------------------
sw1-1:admin> switchshow //Check basic information and compare with previous state
sw1-1:admin> cfgshow //Check configuration information and compare with previous state
sw1-1:admin> version //View firmware information to confirm successful upgrade
Kernel: 2.6.14.2
Fabric OS: v6.2.0a
Made on: Wed Jan 7 22:50:34 2009
Flash: Thu Feb 19 07:27:19 2009
BootProm: 4.6.6The source waits approximately five to ten minutes before reconnecting and compares switchshow, cfgshow and version with the recorded state. Confirm download/commit completion with the commands documented for the actual release; do not treat elapsed time alone as completion.
Separate recovery example: configuration restore
This is an optional recovery operation after investigating an upgrade problem, not the routine next step of every upgrade. The source starts with switchdisable, which can interrupt fabric traffic. Confirm the backup’s compatibility and exact switch/fabric scope before any restore.
Restore the backed up configuration
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sw1-1:admin> switchdisable
sw1-1:admin> configdownload //Re-import zone or other configuration information if needed
Protocol (scp, ftp, local) [ftp]: //Use default FTP
Server Name or IP Address [host]: 16.157.101.95 //Your own IP address
User Name [user]: admin //Username configured in your FTP software
File Name [config.txt]: //Previously exported configuration filename; note the path and filename set in your FTP software
Section (all|chassis [all]): all //Select 'all'
Do you want to continue [y/n]: y //Confirm whether to import
Password:
configDownload: LicensesDB empty in config, skipping
configDownload: DMM_WWN empty in config, skipping
Activating configDownload without disabling switch:
NOTE: Not all configuration parameters will be downloaded with switch online
Fabric Watch is not licensed
configDownload complete: All config parameters are downloaded //Import completed
sw1-1:admin> cfgshow //View configuration information
sw1-1:admin> switchshow //View basic switch informationThe archived output includes “Activating configDownload without disabling switch” despite the earlier switchdisable command. Preserve this as the recorded transcript, not proof that the switch was disabled or that an online restore includes all parameters. The empty LicensesDB/DMM_WWN and unlicensed Fabric Watch messages also belong to this example. Verify the resulting configuration and service state using the matching vendor procedure.
NetApp’s English Brocade upgrade procedure provides a maintained reference for its supported environments and links the version-specific Broadcom upgrade guide; it explicitly excludes fabric-attached MetroCluster.
Original case/reference: stored source.