Software download (generic)

Overview

Alcatel-Lucent 1850 TSS-5 supports local and remote software downloads for the SYSCTL circuit pack, VLNC50/52/55 circuit packs, and for packs that operate independent of the SYSCTL circuit pack (VLNC40, VLNC42/42B, VLNC60, VLNC61, VLNC62, VLNC64).

When new software is downloaded to the SYSCTL circuit pack, a compressed software image is download to FLASH memory. The new software is uncompressed and moved to the active boot memory space. During this process, the older software release continues to run in random access memory (RAM). Installation is not service-affecting, so down time is limited to the time it takes to reboot.

Local software download for the SYSCTL and controlled circuit packs

Alcatel-Lucent 1850 TSS-5 supports the following local software downloads.

Important!

Serial Download (TERM) is not supported in the Microsoft Windows® XP Operating System. Therefore, FTP must be used to install software when using the Microsoft Windows® XP Operating System.

Local software download for non-SYSCTL controlled circuit packs

For circuit packs that are not controlled by the SYSCTL circuit pack, Alcatel-Lucent 1850 TSS-5 supports local software installation via Trivial File Transfer Protocol (TFTP). To perform a Remote software download the non-SYSCTL controlled circuit pack must be functioning properly using the software version that is being replaced.

For more information , refer to Trivial File Transfer Protocol (TFTP).

Important!

If the circuit pack cannot be successfully booted because the flash file system has been corrupted, it must be replaced and returned.

A local PC can be connected to the non-SYSCTL controlled circuit pack in one of the following ways:

A direct connection to the circuit pack or to the local network, allows you to establish an IP connection to the default LAN port address or internal Service Port address which may not be capable of being routed beyond the local network. The IP configuration of the PC must be set to allow it to connect to the IP address of the circuit pack.

Using Telnet or SSH client software, you access the CLI for the non-SYSCTL circuit pack from the PC. With the CLI, you verify the current software version on the pack, specify the address of the TFTP server and name of the file containing the new software, and initiate the copy process. The circuit pack then connects to the TFTP server and downloads the software.

For a detailed description of the Command Line Interface (CLI) messages used to interface with the VLNC40/VLNC42/VLNC42B/VLNC60/VLNC61/VLNC62/VLNC64 circuit packs and general information about using the Command Line Interface (CLI), refer to Alcatel-Lucent 1850 Transport Service Switch (TSS-5) Command Line Interface Guide.

Remote software download for the SYSCTL and controlled circuit packs

Remote software download reduces the need to travel to remote sites when the software version of multiple Alcatel-Lucent 1850 TSS-5 systems is being upgraded throughout a network.

Both the local and remote NEs must have an active software generic.

Remote software download for non-SYSCTL controlled circuit packs

Circuit packs that operate independent of a SYSCTL circuit pack can be connected directly to an IP administrative network. Software can be downloaded over the network to the circuit pack via TFTP. To perform a Remote software download the non-SYSCTL controlled circuit pack must be functioning properly using the software version that is being replaced.

Important!

If the circuit pack cannot be successfully booted, because the flash file system has been corrupted, it must be replaced and returned.

To perform a TFTP download, the TFTP server with the new operating software must be accessible to the circuit pack being upgraded. This means that the circuit pack must be configured with an IP address that can be routed and accessed from the remote network location, where the remote TFTP server is connected.

Using Telnet or SSH client software, you access the CLI for the non-SYSCTL circuit pack from a remote location. With the CLI, you verify the current software version for the pack, specify the address of the TFTP server and name of the file containing the new software, and initiate the copy process. The circuit pack then connects to the TFTP server and downloads the software.

For a detailed description of the Command Line Interface (CLI) messages used to interface with the VLNC40/VLNC42/VLNC42B/VLNC60/VLNC61/VLNC62/VLNC64 circuit packs and general information about using the Command Line Interface (CLI), refer to Alcatel-Lucent 1850 Transport Service Switch (TSS-5) Command Line Interface Guide.

Impact of software download and activation

Local software downloads to the SYSCTL circuit pack temporarily disrupt operations communications because a system controller reset is involved, and the dormant software is not activated immediately.

Remote software download or copy of compressed dormant software is accomplished without any disruption of operation, because the dormant software is not activated immediately.

The dormant SYSCTL circuit pack software may be applied at any time the user specifies, for example, the same time for all NEs to be upgraded. Activation of the dormant NE software generic requires the Alcatel-Lucent 1850 TSS-5 system controller to reset, thus temporarily disrupting operations communications.

Remote software download compatibility

You can download software remotely from a WaveStar® CIT connected to an Alcatel-Lucent 1850 TSS-5 via the Front Serial or LAN Port to the following products:

Digital signature capability

Alcatel-Lucent 1850 TSS-5 verifies software downloads using a digital signature. When FTP over TCP/IP is used for a software download, a digital signature is transmitted with the software download and verified by the network element. If the verification fails, Alcatel-Lucent 1850 TSS-5 reports an autonomous message and the software download fails. The digital signature is discarded after verification.

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