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Manually Updating NetMRI Software

Owned by Aliaksei Shautsou (Deactivated)
Last updated: Jun 28, 2017 by Olga Nekrutkina
4 min read

NetMRI provides three options for updating software:

  • By configuring NetMRI to automatically download and install the update.
  • By downloading the update from the Infoblox Technical Support web site, then manually initiating the installation.
  • By receiving an update file sent via e-mail, then manually initiating the installation.

The top of the NetMRI screen automatically notifies you when updates are available to the software. Updates come in two forms: Major Updates and Hotfixes. NetMRI's updating features automatically install hotfix updates.

Note: Check the Update History (Settings icon –> General Settings –> Update History) for information on all the updates that have taken place on the local NetMRI system.

For manual installation, a NetMRI Administrator need only start the update process at a convenient time and provide any inputs requested. After that, the process is normally automatic, with no inputs required by the operator.
Information and instructions for manually updating system software are provided in the following topics:

Release notes are available through the Infoblox Support Web site.

Update Distribution

Regardless of how an update is performed, all updates are protected by digital signatures to ensure their authenticity. Any improper modification to the update information will cause the process to fail, thereby safeguarding the integrity of the NetMRI software.
Infoblox Technical Support announces software updates, including bug fixes, minor releases and major releases on the Infoblox Technical Support web site and posts messages to the NetMRI electronic mailing list. Announcements provide general information about the release, and the specific capabilities affected by the release. You can upgrade the appliance any time after an announcement.
When an update file for a major release is updated on an established update server, NetMRI automatically downloads the update.

Pre-Update Planning

Before attempting a software update, you should determine the current software version for your NetMRI installation. This can be done by:

  • Viewing the Settings icon –> Setup section –> Settings Summary page, or
  • Executing the show version command in the Administrative Shell.

In either case, the NetMRI Version, Serial Number and Server Name are shown, which are the key configuration information for the installation. If you have deployed multiple instances on your network, verify that you are connected to the appropriate one.

Note: All NetMRI data collection, analysis and web-interface processing are automatically disabled during the software update process. Therefore, software updates should be performed during off-hours whenever possible. Keep in mind that the appliance does most analysis processing between midnight and 3:00 am, so it is best to run the AutoUpdate process outside that time period as well.

Downloading The Software

Any NetMRI appliance that is connected to the Internet can be updated automatically and securely from the Infoblox Technical Support web site.

  1. Execute the following command in the Administrative Shell: 
    AutoUpdate
  2. The update process creates a TCP connection to the SSH (22) port on the Infoblox web site and retrieves a list of available updates, which is displayed for your review.
  3. Enter y to begin the update process.
    or
    Enter n, to abort the update process (you are returned to the shell prompt).

The AutoUpdate process can be executed any number of times without harm. If your NetMRI software is current, it will not make any changes.

Updating From Update Files

Software updates, including custom patches, are available from Infoblox as an update file that can transmitted in a variety of ways, including e-mail and FTP. Update files are digitally signed by Infoblox to ensure their authenticity and are also encrypted to protect the confidentiality of the data.

  1. Copy the update file into the Backup directory of the Administrative Shell account .
  2. Execute the following Administrative Shell command to update NetMRI:
    AutoUpdate <updatefile.gpg>
    where <updatefile.gpg> is the name of the update file.
  3. The authenticity of the update file is validated and the file contents are decrypted and applied to the appliance software

About the AutoUpdate Proces s

During the update process, each required software update is applied in appropriate order until all updates are applied. The exact steps performed for each update will vary from release to release depending on the type of processing required. In some cases, user input is required to assist in the update process, although this should be the exception.
Special update instructions may be included in the release documentation provided by Infoblox in rare situations when manual updates are required.
After the AutoUpdate process has completed, either successfully or unsuccessfully, you return to the NetMRI Administrative Shell prompt. If the update process was not successful, read the Troubleshooting section below for suggestions on how to proceed.

Troubleshooting Update s

All actions performed during the AutoUpdate process are recorded in a log file that can be viewed by entering the show updatelog command. If AutoUpdate fails for any reason, refer to the log file for details and then try each of the following troubleshooting procedures that apply to your situation. If you can't resolve the problem by following these steps, contact Infoblox Technical Support for further assistance.

Symptom: Unable to connect to NetMRI using the SSH client application.

  • Verify the NetMRI GUI is still accessible with a web browser.
  • Verify the IP address or hostname is the same being used for SSH.
  • Using a telnet client, connect to the NetMRI device IP address or hostname on port 22 (e.g., telnet 169.254.1.1 22). If a connection is established, check your SSH settings.

Symptom: Connection established but SSH password not accepted.

  • Passwords and usernames are case-sensitive. Verify that admin is lowercase and the password is the same case as when it was created.
  • Change the password at Settings icon –> User Admin –> Users page via the browser interface, then use the new password to attempt to connect to NetMRI again.

Symptom: Unable to connect to Infoblox Technical Support server.

  • Use the NetMRI ping/traceroute tool via the browser interface (Tools–> Device –> Ping/Traceroute), or the ping command via the NetMRI Administrative Shell, to verify that NetMRI can reach any server on the Internet.