Procedure to update PowerConnect 6224 firmware

Hello @SandroAlvesBR,

I would suggest updating to the last firmware version. So then the update is more easy as you don't need to find an specific old version.

This is the last firmware version:
https://dell.to/34soZam

The steps for update are:
(1) Download zip file - https://dell.to/35Vq7E1
(2) Extract the zip file - PC6200v3.3.18.1.stk, PC6200v3.3.18.1MIBs, PC6200UpgradeSoftwareFromVersion3.x.x.xProcedure.pdf, PC6200UpgradeSoftwareFromVersion2.xProcedure.pdf and PC6224X_6248X-3_3_18_1-Release_Notes.pdf
(3) Install firmware image to the switch by following the upgrade procedure extracted from the zip file above.

Then from the WebGUI of the switch you can go to System/File Management/File Download you would choose HTTP for the transfer mode then browse to the location of the firmware on you desktop.  Below is a screen shot of the File download page.

Regards.

Diego,

Thanks for the very helpful answer.

I don't know about networks, I'm learning with friends here.

My environment is in production.

I have two stacked switches.

Do I do it first in (1) and then in (2)?

In my scenario, will there be any unavailability?

Thanks.

Hi, this may help:

https://dell.to/35M2PQK

PowerConnect 6200: Updating firmware 

This is ultimate steps for firmware only.

If it's been on stack mode, then you need to upgrade on management switch only, once upgrade on mgmt switch, the mgmt switch would push firmware on standby switch automatically and no need to install one by one on stack mode.

Please also see this
https://dell.to/3otouny

downtime is required and please download release notes first and do the firmware upgrade accordingly.
https://dell.to/3otouUA
https://dell.to/3smr67L

Hi,

you were amazing! Thank you very much!

Last questions:

I will receive an install a new switch to install in place of the slave.

It comes configured with some default network IP that I can connect to my notebook to change to the management IP?

Or do I need a console cable to configure it? I've already seen that there is a SERIAL to USB converter.

Will I need to update the firmware on this new one first? Or can I connect it directly to the main and everything will work?

I notice that currently I can only access a manager IP and after accessing the WebGui I see both switches.

If something goes wrong, how should I rollback?

If I lose access to the switch's mgmt, how do I access it?

Do I need to remove the slave first before installing the new one?

Do I need to backup settings first? How do I do that?

I tried to access it by SSH and I couldn't, can I use everything through WebGui?

What I thought is to do a step by step so I don't make mistakes.

Sorry for so many questions.

Thanks.

Hi,

It comes configured with some default network IP that I can connect to my notebook to change to the management IP? >> not recommended

Or do I need a console cable to configure it? I've already seen that there is a SERIAL to USB converter. >> Please do it via serial console or GUI method of upgrade

Will I need to update the firmware on this new one first? Or can I connect it directly to the main and everything will work? >> have to upgrade on management switch (master switch(management switch means it is master switch in stack)

If something goes wrong, how should I rollback? >> can rollback

surprised 1

If I lose access to the switch's mgmt, how do I access it? >> Find master switch and access it via serial console

CLI is the best option to upgrade instead of GUI mode, so, please upgrade via CLI

Young,

I read your stack guidelines again, but you didn't consider that I will replace the slave I believe.

How will I receive a switch with a firmware version probably different from the last one to add it to the master, do I need to update it first?

For that I can initialize it (I read the procedure), add an IP in the management and update it via WebGui for not having experience via CLI.

I read that the suggested procedure is after preparing it to do:

- Remove the slave from the stacking;
- Ensure that the new one has the same FW as the master;
- Add the new one in the stacking;

The problem is that I don't know how to add it to the stacking.

Thanks.

Hi, I hope this can help pg 62 https://dell.to/3GtKHYN

You can stack up to 12 PowerConnect 6224 and/or 6248 switches, supporting up to 576 front panel ports.
Create a stack by connecting adjacent units using the stacking ports on the left side of the switch rear.
See Figure 4-13.
1. Connect one of the short stacking cables into either of the stacking ports of the top switch and the
switch directly below it. Install a separately purchased stacking module in rear "Bay 1" of each of the
switches in the stack.
2. For each switch in the stack, connect one of the short stacking cables from stacking port one on the
switch to stacking port two on the next switch.
3. If necessary, use a separately purchased, long (3 meter) stacking cable to connect the switches. Repeat
this process until all of the devices are connected.
4. Use the remaining stacking cable to connect the remaining free ports, one each on the top and bottom
switches.
Hardware Description 63
Figure 4-13. Connecting a Stack of PowerConnect 6200 Series Switches

In Figure 4-13, the stack has the following physical connections between the switches:
• Unit 1 and Unit 2 are connected through the XG1 ports on each switch.
• Unit 2 and Unit 3 are connected through the XG2 ports on each switch.
• Unit 1 and Unit 4 are connected through the XG2 port on Unit 1 and the XG1 port on Unit 4.
The resulting ring topology allows the entire stack to function as a single switch with resilient fail-over
capabilities.

Hi,

I talked to some friends today and they shared some points with me that I want to share with you.

1- A friend guided me on how to download the current firmware version in case I didn't want to install the newest firmware using the option (
System > File Management > File Upload "Firmware") so you don't need to update the master now;

2- A friend informed that depending on the configuration (
System > File Management > Copy Files) the slave switch may or may not receive the update. So I ask for help to clarify if my configuration is correct so that when connecting the new switch it will pull the settings.

3- In the future when I update the firmware of the master so that the slave pulls the new FW and also the settings should the option (Copy Configuration) be this? Or do I need to change to (Copy Master Firmware) before installing the new firmware? Or should I keep (Copy Configuration)?

PS: In this procedure below, the update in stacked mode is performed on both switches at the same time, so I was in doubt because I was informed that the FW is pulled to the slave when the master is updated. I did not understand!

Ref.: Dell WebGui Firmware Update - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5xTcoUJTtAU

4- I understood that after removing the slave with problem, turning it off, I will remove the cables and follow the connections as they are today, which should be the same as the previous answer with the new one turned off. Do I need to define in the settings that the new replaced switch is the slave after turning it on? Or simply after connecting it physically I must reboot the master and automatically the new replaced switch will be defined as slave and will download the settings. But I need to make my entire environment unavailable, if I wanted to do this keeping the master on, what options do I have?

PS: Or do I need to run commands like this:

console#configure
console(config)#stack
console(config-stack)#no member 2
console(config-stack)#exit
console(config)#exit

Ref.: https://dell.to/32EsVE7 - Page 13

5- In case my master is also having a problem, after changing the slave I need to make the slave the master and suggestion of a friend who from the community was using the procedure on page 16 and 18 - https://dell.to/32EsVE7. That is, I must restart the master for the slave to assume the role of master. But I ask if there will be unavailability when I run this process? Is there any option via WebGui or command to perform this switching without interruption or reboot of the master switch?

PS: I'm taking into account that my environment is redundant, that is, my servers and storage are connected to both switches with redundant physical connections. That's why I think about making these changes always keeping a switch active to avoid unavailability.

Thanks.

Hi, for what I can tell you,

in stack upgrade, no need to remove any switches (master and standby ). Just upgrade on master switch and rest of the operation would taken care by master along with standby switch.

You can also raise a formal ticket. Is your switch still in warranty?

Hi  Dell-EmanO,

got it, I can set a preference and it explains how it works.

Very good!

I still have doubts if during these processes of rebooting a member of the stack, for replacement or simple reboot what remains on will continue doing its work normally.

Or if there is any flap during the switching process for example.

Thanks

Hi DELL-Young E,

When you say: "Just upgrade on master switch and rest of the operation would taken care by master along with standby switch."

Is this configuration correct for this to work?

Thanks

Hi, I found this thread I thought it might be helpful. It's very good explains how to select master switch, please check it https://www.dell.com/community/Networking-General/Master-switch-in-stack-needs-to-stay-the-same/td-p/3804105 

Hi,

My switches are under warranty for part replacement only.

When you mention standby is the same as slave?

Explain to me what happened in this image.

- The Switch ID (1) is my standby (slave).
- The Switch ID (2) is my master (Management Unit)

At some point someone turned off or reset the Switch ID (1) and the Switch ID (2) became master "Management Unit".

If the answer is "yes", I understand, perfect!

Is there any option that I do this without restarting the switch, for example changing some settings on this screen?

Because I question this, if the logic is who calls first, for example, if I have more than one stacked switch, the orders will always change. I read that there is a logic referring to the MAC that defined the order, but I confess that I did not understand.

Thanks.

Hi, I'm not sure if it would be a flap issue, to be honest. I would follow the steps on page 9 like here. https://i.dell.com/sites/doccontent/shared-content/data-sheets/en/Documents/pwcnt_stacking_switches.pdf?dgc=SM&cid=304571&lid=spr6261279191&RefID=dtw22_sm6261279191&linkId=149982920

I would also like to share these two documents that I came across while researching this PowerConnect switches.

PowerConnect 62xx firmware fails to download to the switch https://www.dell.com/support/kbdoc/en-ca/000144500/powerconnect-62xx-firmware-fails-to-download-to-the-switch

How to manually push firmware from the Primary in a stack of 62xx switches https://www.dell.com/support/kbdoc/en-ca/000120977/how-to-manually-push-firmware-from-the-master-in-a-stack-of-62xx-switches