Connecting the Switch to the ACI Fabric
Before you begin
• Move any Cisco Application Policy Infrastructure Controllers (APICs) that are connected to the first
generation switches that you are migrating to any other switches in the fabric and wait for the Cisco
APIC cluster to become "Fully Fit."
• The following migration paths are supported:
1. Migrating from first generation Cisco Application Centric Infrastructure (ACI) switches to second
2. Migrating from first generation Cisco ACI switches to second generation Cisco ACI switches that
Note
generation Cisco ACI switches that are running the same software release.
are running different software releases.
The second migration path is required where the existing switches are not supported on the new
release that is required for the new switches. For example, if you want to migrate from the first
generation Cisco ACI switches, such as Cisco Nexus 9300 (with the -E suffix or without any suffixes
in the product ID) that are no longer supported starting on Cisco ACI switch 15.0(1) or later releases,
to some of the new switches that are supported only from 15.0(1) or later.
When the first generation switches are comprising a vPC, complete the following mandatory
prerequisite steps before you proceed with the second migration path:
a. Due to potential traffic loss, it is recommended that that you perform the vPC migration during
a maintenance window.
b. Before you perform this procedure, the Auto Firmware Update policy must be disabled.
c. Upgrade the Cisco APIC cluster to the 4.2(7v) release if the cluster is running an older release.
Also upgrade the first generation switches to the 14.2(7v) release. Wait for the fabric to converge.
d. Upgrade the Cisco APIC cluster to 5.2(7f) release and wait for the cluster to become "Fully Fit."
e. Ensure that the new second generation switches are preloaded and running the equivalent release
as the Cisco APICs, that is 15.2(7f) release. Other than source and target version software releases
4.2(7v)/14.2(7v) and 5.2(7f)/15.2(7f), no other software releases are supported for this migration
procedure.
• The number of ports and port types of the second generation switches must match the first generation
switch that you are replacing. If the number does not match, then you must change the configuration
to accommodate the new ports or port types. This is also applicable if you migrate the hardware
while retaining the same software version.
• To migrate first generation non-vPC leaf switches or first generation spine switches to second
generation switches, follow
below. vPC-related information is not applicable for this migration.
If you must migrate a first generation non-vPC leaf switch or a first generation spine switch to a
second generation switch, the requirement of the source and target software release 4.2(7v)/14.2(7v)
and 5.2(7f)/15.2(7f) is not required. Ensure that the Cisco ACI fabric is running the required software
release that supports the second generation switch PID.
Migration of Nodes From a First Generation Switch to a Second Generation Switch
Step 1, on page 40
through
Step 6, on page 40
Cisco Nexus 9504 ACI-Mode Switch Hardware Installation Guide
in the procedure outlined
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