Upgrades for R9 Made Easy

DEFINITY Made Easy Tools
Issue 2, November 2000

Upgrade Procedures for DEFINITY R9 provides links to procedures to upgrade DEFINITY si systems to R9si, DEFINITY csi systems to R9 csi, and DEFINITY r systems to R9r. For general information, see Before you begin any upgrade, Blowback vs. On site?, and What's New in Release 9.

When to use the TN2401 versus the TN2401/TN2400 sandwich pack explains the differences and provides a list of the DEFINITY si carriers and backplanes that use the TN2401 alone.

Note these important considerations:

For some earlier upgrades, the control carrier or cabinet replacement was optional. If the carrier or cabinet was not previously replaced, you must replace it before you can complete the upgrade to R9si.

You cannot upgrade any system type or version other than a csi to R9csi. No Intel system (G3vs, G3s, G3i, or G3si) can be upgraded to a R9csi. (Don't try it.)

It is essential to use the autoregistration tool (ART) as the final step of any installation or upgrade. It automates the checking and setting of many of the DEFINITY administration forms that are not normally reviewed, and it corrects a wide range of problems that can generate alarms or make the switch inaccessible.

Duplicated systems have Special Administration Requirements not yet handled by ART.

If you have questions on connecting the fiber cables for a duplicated single-carrier cabinet installation, see Install fiber optic cable for duplicated SCC systems. For more general fiber cable information, see Install Fiber Optic Cable Pass-Thru Kit (Single-Carrier Cabinets) or Install Fiber Optic Cable Pass-Thru Kit (Multicarrier Cabinets).

Upgrade Procedures for DEFINITY R9

Click on the link to the upgrade procedure you want:

I'm not sure; I need help to know What DEFINITY System Is This?
Release 5/6/7/8csi to R9csi
G3i V2/3/4 to R9si (On-Site)
R5si/R6si/R7si/R8si to R9si

G3vs/R5vs/R6vs to R9si (On-Site)
G3rV2/3/4 and R5/6/7/8r to R9r

Before you begin any upgrade

Review the Preparation and process steps carefully. These tables describe the tasks that must be completed before the upgrade visit and who is responsible for them.

To prevent the most common upgrade problems, be sure that you have

identified the correct TDM bus cables and terminators for the upgraded system

verified si expansion interface compatibility for packet bus applications:

If the new si system will have one or more expansion port network cabinets and will run any packet applications, do not reuse the TN776 expansion interface circuit packs; they must be replaced with TN570 circuit packs.

checked for software upgrade compatibility and identified any patches that need to be re-applied

Blowback vs. On site?

A blowback is an off-site replication and upgrade to the target release. You must schedule blowback upgrades in advance with the organization performing the software blowback.

Blowback upgrades are preferred over on site upgrades that require multiple-step hardware/software interim configurations. Although multiple-step on site upgrades are technically feasible, they require multiple-step hardware and software upgrades, which cause extended customer outages. They also require additional hardware to upgrade to the interim configurations prior to final required configuration.

Bottom line: on site multiple-step upgrades are normally not the way to go!


Upgrade	Considerations
R1 V3 and System 75	An on site upgrade is impractical for almost all upgrades of this type. This upgrade requires a blowback.
G1, G3i V1, G3s V1	Blowbacks are preferred. Although we have the capability to perform these upgrades on site, such upgrades are less desirable due to extensive down time or are not practical for other reasons.
G3iV1.1, G3iV2, G3iV3, G3iV4 G3s V1.1, G3s V2, G3s V3, G3s V4	On site or blowback upgrades can be performed. Considerations in selecting the upgrade method include the amount and complexity of any associated translation work related to -- or done in conjunction with -- the upgrade. These upgrades require none of the multi-step interim procedures of the G1, G3i V1 or G3s V1 upgrades.
G3vs (V1 - R5/6)	All hardware must be replaced; the G3vs hardware is supported only through R6. Existing translations can be carried forward to the upgraded hardware and software.

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