My company have a two F5 Big-IP device, the two Big-IP devices are setup on Active/Standby topology. I went through the F5 device iHealth and it reported :- " Your software is near its End of Technical Support (EoTS) code on Dec. 02, 2017.Support options is limited and an upgrade is recommended". The Platform on my Big-IP 2000 is 12.0.0 (C112). Also it gives me the upgrade option:- Upgrade Option :- 12.0.0 HF$ (hotfix) 13.0.0 HF@ (latest release). (1) Please what is the advantages of upgrading to 13.0.0 (2) Can i upgrade from 12.0.0 to 13.1.0 (3) How can i get the new firmware version (4) What are the procedures for upgrading the Big-IP devices especially as in the Active/Standby topology (5) IS the upgrade service effecting? i.e. Would my network be affected while doing the upgrade? (6) What will happen if i choose not to upgrade the device especially after the Dec. expiration date? Thanks team as i will appreciate your swift response to this question.

Please find your answers below:- 1. Only after the upgrade, would F5 be able to support your issues after Dec 2, 2017. 2. After logging in your F5, got to system - system management - update check and check the ones available for you. You can also check the matrix of hardware/software on F5 website. 3. You should be able to get the firmware from AskF5 downloads web site. 4. You should first upgrade the standby unit, then make it active and then upgrade the new standby one. You should google for some docs, as it's an extensive process. 5. If you proceed in the manner suggested, there should be no impact. But anyways, it's recommended to highlight the possibility of service disruption. 6. TAC will not support you after the due date, your device will not be upgraded against the vulnerabilities that it has etc.

Dear army003, Thanks for your prompt response to my questions. Please can you get me any valid document that spells out this task at hand or may be direct me to a site where i can get these documents. Thanks

FIRMWARE UPGRADE FROM 12.0.0 TO 13.0.0

27 Replies

Amresh008
Nimbostratus
Sep 19, 2017
Please find your answers below:- 1. Only after the upgrade, would F5 be able to support your issues after Dec 2, 2017. 2. After logging in your F5, got to system - system management - update check and check the ones available for you. You can also check the matrix of hardware/software on F5 website. 3. You should be able to get the firmware from AskF5 downloads web site. 4. You should first upgrade the standby unit, then make it active and then upgrade the new standby one. You should google for some docs, as it's an extensive process. 5. If you proceed in the manner suggested, there should be no impact. But anyways, it's recommended to highlight the possibility of service disruption. 6. TAC will not support you after the due date, your device will not be upgraded against the vulnerabilities that it has etc.
- testimony_17780
  Sep 19, 2017
  Dear army003,
  
  Thanks for your prompt response to my questions. Please can you get me any valid document that spells out this task at hand or may be direct me to a site where i can get these documents.
  
  Thanks
- testimony_17780
  Sep 20, 2017
  Please can you tell me the main features in version 13.0.0.0. I need this facts to defend my proposed upgrade from 12.0.0.0 to 13.0.0.0. In order word, I want to know the differences between version 12.0.0.0 and 13.0.0.0.
  
  Thanks
- Srini_87152
  Cirrostratus
  Dec 28, 2017
  Hi ,you can download all futures of 13.x versions from from F5 software download site.
  
  Thx Srini
Amresh008
Nimbostratus
Sep 19, 2017
Please find your answers below:- 1. Only after the upgrade, would F5 be able to support your issues after Dec 2, 2017. 2. After logging in your F5, got to system - system management - update check and check the ones available for you. You can also check the matrix of hardware/software on F5 website. 3. You should be able to get the firmware from AskF5 downloads web site. 4. You should first upgrade the standby unit, then make it active and then upgrade the new standby one. You should google for some docs, as it's an extensive process. 5. If you proceed in the manner suggested, there should be no impact. But anyways, it's recommended to highlight the possibility of service disruption. 6. TAC will not support you after the due date, your device will not be upgraded against the vulnerabilities that it has etc.
- testimony_17780
  Sep 19, 2017
  Dear army003,
  
  Thanks for your prompt response to my questions. Please can you get me any valid document that spells out this task at hand or may be direct me to a site where i can get these documents.
  
  Thanks
- testimony_17780
  Sep 20, 2017
  Please can you tell me the main features in version 13.0.0.0. I need this facts to defend my proposed upgrade from 12.0.0.0 to 13.0.0.0. In order word, I want to know the differences between version 12.0.0.0 and 13.0.0.0.
  
  Thanks
- Srini_87152
  Cirrostratus
  Dec 28, 2017
  Hi ,you can download all futures of 13.x versions from from F5 software download site.
  
  Thx Srini
Amy003_314955
Cirrus
Sep 19, 2017
Please find your answers below:- 1. Only after the upgrade, would F5 be able to support your issues after Dec 2, 2017. 2. After logging in your F5, got to system - system management - update check and check the ones available for you. You can also check the matrix of hardware/software on F5 website. 3. You should be able to get the firmware from AskF5 downloads web site. 4. You should first upgrade the standby unit, then make it active and then upgrade the new standby one. You should google for some docs, as it's an extensive process. 5. If you proceed in the manner suggested, there should be no impact. But anyways, it's recommended to highlight the possibility of service disruption. 6. TAC will not support you after the due date, your device will not be upgraded against the vulnerabilities that it has etc.
- testimony_17780
  Sep 19, 2017
  Dear army003,
  
  Thanks for your prompt response to my questions. Please can you get me any valid document that spells out this task at hand or may be direct me to a site where i can get these documents.
  
  Thanks
- testimony_17780
  Sep 20, 2017
  Please can you tell me the main features in version 13.0.0.0. I need this facts to defend my proposed upgrade from 12.0.0.0 to 13.0.0.0. In order word, I want to know the differences between version 12.0.0.0 and 13.0.0.0.
  
  Thanks
- Srini_87152
  Cirrostratus
  Dec 28, 2017
  Hi ,you can download all futures of 13.x versions from from F5 software download site.
  
  Thx Srini
Jad_Tabbara__J1
Cirrostratus
Sep 19, 2017
Hello Testimony,

To prepare the upgrade you can follow this link.

https://devcentral.f5.com/codeshare/7-steps-checklist-before-upgrading-your-big-ip-1053

It summarize in 7 steps what you need to do before upgrading.

Hope it helps

Regards
KeesvandenBos
MVP
Sep 20, 2017
I would upgrade to 12.1.2 hf1 or wait for the release of 13.1.0 13.0.0 isn't a long term stable release, software development will stop may 2018.

See KB5903 for more information.

Cheers,

Kees
Ian_S__120053
Nimbostratus
Sep 20, 2017
I would simply read the release notes, which lists nicely what is new in v13:

https://support.f5.com/kb/en-us/products/big-ip_ltm/releasenotes/product/relnote-ltm-13-0-0.htmlrn_new
- testimony_17780
  Sep 20, 2017
  i know that xx.1.x always have a longer upgrade duration than their xx.0.0 counterparts. But i want to confirm if 12.0.0 is compatible with 13.1.0 when it comes to upgrade. In other word i want to know if i can use 13.1.0 to upgrade 12.0.0. I will be glad you explain to me.
- Ian_S__120053
  Nimbostratus
  Sep 20, 2017
  For starters, which modules are you using, so you can focus on only those for compatibility.
Ian_Støttrup
Nimbostratus
Sep 20, 2017
I would simply read the release notes, which lists nicely what is new in v13:

https://support.f5.com/kb/en-us/products/big-ip_ltm/releasenotes/product/relnote-ltm-13-0-0.htmlrn_new
- testimony_17780
  Sep 20, 2017
  i know that xx.1.x always have a longer upgrade duration than their xx.0.0 counterparts. But i want to confirm if 12.0.0 is compatible with 13.1.0 when it comes to upgrade. In other word i want to know if i can use 13.1.0 to upgrade 12.0.0. I will be glad you explain to me.
- Ian_Støttrup
  Nimbostratus
  Sep 20, 2017
  For starters, which modules are you using, so you can focus on only those for compatibility.
P_K
Altostratus
Sep 20, 2017
Hi Testimony,

Yes, You can direclty upgrade from 12.0.0 to 13.1.0. But, you need to wait until f5 release v13.1.0.

https://support.f5.com/csp/article/K13845
Harry1
Nimbostratus
Sep 20, 2017
Hi Testimony,

first of all you can directly upgrade f5 from 11.6 /12 version to v13 with HF1 that is latest one. secondly it will not affect to your existing network if you will do in standby first then shift traffic and upgrade next one. I have done it recently without any issue.

1) Please what is the advantages of upgrading to 13.0.0 - for this you can download release notes of v13.0.0 (2) Can i upgrade from 12.0.0 to 13.1.0 - yes (3) How can i get the new firmware version - from f5 support portal (4) What are the procedures for upgrading the Big-IP devices especially as in the Active/Standby topology -****.(5) IS the upgrade service effecting? i.e. Would my network be affected while doing the upgrade? (6) What will happen if i choose not to upgrade the device especially after the Dec. expiration date?- no, proper download image, install image on new partition, import hotfix on same partition, install image on new partition and install HF on same new partition, boot appliance in new partition license upgrade should be there otherwise it will affect your upgradation.
- testimony_17780
  Sep 21, 2017
  Hi Harry,
  
  Are you saying that for me to upgrade from 12.0.0 to 13.0.0 or 13.1.0 i will need another LTM license apart from the current one that am having on my F5 device?
  
  Thanks
- Harry1
  Nimbostratus
  Sep 21, 2017
  No . if appliances are under valid support contract then no need any other license you can upgrade without any issue. Good luck for your upgradation.
Harry_219923
Nimbostratus
Sep 20, 2017
Hi Testimony,

first of all you can directly upgrade f5 from 11.6 /12 version to v13 with HF1 that is latest one. secondly it will not affect to your existing network if you will do in standby first then shift traffic and upgrade next one. I have done it recently without any issue.

1) Please what is the advantages of upgrading to 13.0.0 - for this you can download release notes of v13.0.0 (2) Can i upgrade from 12.0.0 to 13.1.0 - yes (3) How can i get the new firmware version - from f5 support portal (4) What are the procedures for upgrading the Big-IP devices especially as in the Active/Standby topology -****.(5) IS the upgrade service effecting? i.e. Would my network be affected while doing the upgrade? (6) What will happen if i choose not to upgrade the device especially after the Dec. expiration date?- no, proper download image, install image on new partition, import hotfix on same partition, install image on new partition and install HF on same new partition, boot appliance in new partition license upgrade should be there otherwise it will affect your upgradation.
- testimony_17780
  Sep 21, 2017
  Hi Harry,
  
  Are you saying that for me to upgrade from 12.0.0 to 13.0.0 or 13.1.0 i will need another LTM license apart from the current one that am having on my F5 device?
  
  Thanks
- Harry_219923
  Nimbostratus
  Sep 21, 2017
  No . if appliances are under valid support contract then no need any other license you can upgrade without any issue. Good luck for your upgradation.