The VRP platform is constantly updated to maintain alignment with changes in technology and support new advancements to the hardware. The VRP image is generally defined by a VRP version and a product version number. Huawei ARG3 and Sx7 series products generally align with VRP version 5 to which different product versions are associated.
As the product version increases, so do the features that are supported by the version. The product version format includes a product code Vxxx , Rxxx denotes a major version release and Cxx a minor version release. If a service pack is used to patch the VRP product version, an SPC value may also be included in the VRP product version number. Typical examples of the VRP version upgrades for the AR2200E include:
- Version 5.90 (AR2200 V200R001C00)
- Version 5.110 (AR2200 V200R002C00)
- Version 5.160 (AR2200 V200R007C00)
File transfer refers to the means by which files are sent to or retrieved from a remote server or storage location. Within the IP network this application can be implemented for a wide range of purposes. As part of effective practice, it is common for important files be duplicated and backed up within a remote storage location to prevent any loss that would affect critical systems operations. This includes files such as the VRP image of products which (should the existing image suffer loss through use of the format command or other forms of error), can be retrieved remotely and used to recover system operations. Similar principles apply for important configuration files and maintaining records of activity within devices stored in log files, which may be stored long term within the remote server.
FTP is a standard application protocol based on the TCP/IP protocol suite and used to transfer files between local clients and remote servers. FTP uses two TCP connections to copy a file from one system to another. The TCP connections are usually established in client-server mode, one for control (the server port number is 21) and the other for data transmission (the sever port number is 20). FTP as a file transfer protocol is used to control connections by issuing commands from the client (RTA) to the server and transmits replies from the server to the client, minimizing the transmission delay. In terms of data transmission, FTP transmits data between the client and server, maximizing the throughput.
Trivial File Transfer Protocol (TFTP) is a simple file transfer protocol over which a router can function as a TFTP client to access files on a TFTP server. Unlike FTP, TFTP has no complex interactive access interface and authentication control. Implementation of TFTP is based on the User Datagram Protocol (UDP). The client initiates the TFTP transfer. To download files, the client sends a read request packet to the TFTP server, receives packets from the server, and returns an acknowledgement to the server. To upload files, the client sends a write request packet to the TFTP server, sends packets to the server, and receives acknowledgement from the server.
The example demonstrates how connection between an FTP server and client is established in order to retrieve a VRP image that can be used as part of the system upgrade process. Prior to any transfer of data, it is necessary to establish the underlying connectivity over which files can be transferred. This begins by providing suitable IP addressing for the client and the server. Where the devices are directly connected, interfaces can be applied that belong to the same network. Where devices belong to networks located over a large geographic area, devices must establish relevant IP addressing within their given networks and be able to discover a relevant network path over IP via which client/server connectivity can be established.
A user must determine for any system upgrade as to whether there is adequate storage space in which to store the file that is to be retrieved. The file system commands can be used to determine the current status of the file system, including which files are currently present within the file storage location of the device and also the amount of space currently available. Where the storage space is not adequate for file transfer, certain files can be deleted or uploaded to the FTP server in the event that they may still be required for future use.
The example demonstrates the use of the delete file system command to remove the existing image file. It should be noted that the system image, while deleted will not impact the current operation of the device as long as the device remains operational, therefore the device should not be powered off or restarted before a new VRP image file is restored within the storage location of the device, and set to be used during the next system startup.
The retrieving of files from an FTP server requires that a connection be established firstly before any file transfer can take place. Within the client device, the ftp service is initiated using the ftp <ip address> where the IP address relates to the address of the FTP server to which the client wishes to connect. FTP connections will be established using TCP, and requires authentication in the form of a username and password which is defined by the FTP server. Once authentication has been successfully achieved, the client will have established access to the FTP server and will be able to use a variety of commands to view existing files stored within the local current directory of the server.
Prior to file transmission, the user may be required to set the file type for which two formats exist, ASCII and Binary. ASCII mode is used for text, in which data is converted from the sender's character representation to "8-bit ASCII" before transmission, and then to the receiver's character representation. Binary mode on the other hand requires that the sender send each file byte for byte. This mode is often used to transfer image files and program files, and should be applied when sending or retrieving any VRP image file. In the example, the get vrp.cc command has been issued in order to retrieve the new VRP image located within the remote server.
In the event that the client wishes to retrieve a VRP image from a TFTP server, a connection to the server need not first be established. Instead the client must define the path to the server within the command line, along with the operation that is to be performed. It should also be noted that the AR2200E & S5720 models serve as the TFTP client only and transfer files only in binary format. As can be seen from the example, the get command is applied for retrieval of the VRP image file from the TFTP server following the defining of the destination address of the TFTP server.
The transfer of the VRP image file to the client once successfully achieved, requires that the image be enabled as the startup system software during the next system startup process. In order to change the system software version, the startup system-software command must be run and include the system software file to be used in the next startup. A system software file must use .cc as the file name extension, and the system software file used in the next startup cannot be that used in the current startup.
Additionally, the storage directory of a system software file must be the root directory, otherwise the file will fail to run. The display startup command should be used to verify that the change to the startup system software has been performed successfully. The output for the startup system software should show the existing VRP image, while the next startup system software should display the transferred VRP image that is now present within the root directory of the device.
Confirmation of the startup system software allows for the safe initiation of the system software during the next system boot. In order to apply the changes and allow for the new system software to take effect, the device must be restarted. The reboot command can be used in order to initiate the system restart. During the reboot process, a prompt will be displayed requesting confirmation regarding whether the configuration file for the next system startup be saved.
In some cases, the saved-configuration file may be erased by the user in order to allow for a fresh configuration to be implemented. Should this have occurred, the user is expected define a response of ‘no’ at the ‘Continue?’ prompt. If the user chooses ‘yes’ at this point, the current-configuration will be rewritten to the saved-configuration file and applied once again during the next startup. If the user is unaware of the changes for which the save prompt is providing a warning, it is recommended that the user select ‘no’ or ‘n’ and perform a comparison of the saved and current configuration to verify the changes. For the reboot prompt, a response of ‘yes’ or ‘y’ is required to complete the reboot process.
SUMMARY
A client device must have the capability to reach the FTP server over IP, requiring an IP address be configured on the interface via which the FTP server can be reached. This will allow a path to be validated to the FTP server at the network layer if one exists.
The user can run the configuration command display startup to validate that current startup system software (VRP) is active, identified by the .cc extension.