topic Re: Upgrading ONTAP 7.3.5 to 8.1 Mode in Network and Storage Protocols

Upgrading ONTAP 7.3.5 to 8.1 Mode

NAYABRASOOL — Thu, 05 Jun 2025 06:17:36 GMT

Hi Experts,

Going upgrade my Ontap version from 7.3.5 to 8.1 Mode , Can anybody tell how much time it will take for upgrade and any down time needed , All suggestions are welcomed , please guide me to complete this successfully.

Thanks,

Nayab

Re: Upgrading ONTAP 7.3.5 to 8.1 Mode

aborzenkov — Fri, 12 Oct 2012 05:34:58 GMT

If system is correctly configured for failover, it can be done as NDU without downtime. CIFS and NDMP sessions will be interrupted though.

Why 8.0.1? I would say, either 8.0.3 latest patch or 8.1.1P1. What is the reason to chose this specific version?

Re: Upgrading ONTAP 7.3.5 to 8.1 Mode

NAYABRASOOL — Fri, 12 Oct 2012 06:20:45 GMT

Yes its FAS2040 A-A pair and configured as failover , no specific reason going for 8.1 in fact i don't know which version to choose , hope i will go with 8.1.1P1 as per your comment. Can i directly upgrade from my current version to 8.0.3 or 8.1.1P1 ????

Please advise

Re: Upgrading ONTAP 7.3.5 to 8.1 Mode

aborzenkov — Fri, 12 Oct 2012 06:28:26 GMT

Yes, you can go directly from 7.3.x to 8.1 (check release notes and update guide for prerequisites). Do you have any reason to update at all? Any specific functionality that is missing? Have you ever heard “never touch a running system”? ☺

8.x is more resource demanding, so 7G may be better choice on low end systems unless you need some features missing in 7G.

Re: Upgrading ONTAP 7.3.5 to 8.1 Mode

NAYABRASOOL — Fri, 12 Oct 2012 06:38:28 GMT

Could you be more precise regarding " RESOURCE DEMANDING " and i will be very happy if you can list out MERITS and DEMERITS and also advise if this upgradation recommended on this particular filer model as we are using FAS2040

Re: Upgrading ONTAP 7.3.5 to 8.1 Mode

NAYABRASOOL — Fri, 12 Oct 2012 06:41:03 GMT

Current NVRAM size 4GB which is causing some performance impact , is there a way to Increase the NVRAM so that we can have smooth functionality .

Re: Upgrading ONTAP 7.3.5 to 8.1 Mode

rorzmcgauze — Fri, 12 Oct 2012 08:13:45 GMT

Sadly NVRAM is a fixed size per controller so you have only really two options, buy a head upgrade to FAS3200 or get a second HA pair of FAS2200. C-mode could be an option but you have to flatten your current 7-mode box to change ONTAP flavour

Re: Upgrading ONTAP 7.3.5 to 8.1 Mode

NAYABRASOOL — Fri, 12 Oct 2012 08:45:51 GMT

Ok i will ask my change management team accordingly.

Thanks a lot for your assistance.

Re: Upgrading ONTAP 7.3.5 to 8.1 Mode

craigbeckman — Thu, 18 Oct 2012 04:05:58 GMT

Regarding the 'resource demanding' quote, check out these posts before upgrading to DOT 8.1

Also, probably look at 8.1.1P1 rather than 8.1.

https://communities.netapp.com/thread/22676

https://communities.netapp.com/thread/24244