How-To Upgrade from SONARPLEX Generation 4 to 5
Change History
Version | Date | Comment |
|---|---|---|
| Current Version (v. 44) | Aug 29, 2014 11:22 | Added note about new support of check_azetiplugin_email_loop for 5.1.2a |
| v. 42 | Aug 05, 2014 14:45 | removed references to specific version 5.1.1a and 5.1.1b and referring 5.1.x to avoid client confusion. |
| v.34 | Jul 10, 2014 16:09 | Sebastian Koch: Added note about fixed check_azetiplugin_netapp3, Added end of life for check_azetiplugin_kyocera_toner. Added not about check_radius_adv fix. Added Known Issues Table |
| v. 32 | Jul 09, 2014 10:25 | Sebastian Koch: Enhanced backup creation instructions |
| v. 29 | Jul 08, 2014 18:15 | Sebastian Koch: Added extra steps to disable notifications, flushing the mail queue and fixed minor typos |
| v. 25 | Jul 08, 2014 12:11 | Sebastian Koch: Extended list of incompatible plugins and known issues for EOL packages |
| v. 21 | Jul 01, 2014 15:31 | Sebastian Koch: Added Known Issues for Upgrade section regarding plugin update package |
| v. 18 | Jun 26, 2014 16:01 | Sebastian Koch: Fixed minor typos in portal paths, Added section about Plugin Download for azeti NG |
Introduction
This guide is intended to help you through the migration process from SONARPLEX Version 4.1.x and 4.2.x to SONARPLEX release 5.1.x SONARPLEX Generation 5 is a major release, and contains essential changes of the software especially for the plugins. This requires from the user additional steps in the upgrade procedure.
Important Notes before the Upgrade
There are minor restrictions to be aware of, before starting with the upgrade.
This guide assumes you want to upgrade from SONARPLEX release 4.1 to SONARPLEX release 5.1.x. Substitute 5.1.x for your destination version.
Known Issues for Upgrade
Make sure to download the latest plugin-update package form the azeti Portal as this is maintained and updated frequently and offers the latest bugfixes for the upgrade process.
Following list shows known issues which are already fixed.
| Issue | Description | Solution |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Plugin installation errors can appear in seldom circumstances | latest plugin-updates package (plugin-updates-xxx_v4.2.0b_to_v5.1.x.tar) |
| 2 | Monitor process is restarted repeatedly because of missing status.log | latest plugin-updates package (plugin-updates-xxx_v4.2.0b_to_v5.1.x.tar) |
| 3 | check_azetiplugin_akcptemperature, check_azetiplugin_akcphumidity and check_azetiplugin_akcpsmoke exit with error "... unexpectedly returned value 4" when remote host is not reachable | latest plugin-updates package (plugin-updates-xxx_v4.2.0b_to_v5.1.x.tar)
|
| 4 | SMS for contactgroup works only for first contact in list | will be fixed with SP 5.1.2 |
| 5 | Message in watchdog "watchdog failed to reanimate smsd" when no modem attached | solved in patch 3 for 5.1.2 (e.g. update-5.1.2a-std-xxx) |
Plugin and Extension Upgrade
It is important to check your system for compatibility before the upgrade to ensure a seamless migration. Most of the available plugins require an update, this can be done automatically by the plugin-updates packages covered in the following sections. There do all the necessary steps automatically in the background.
Incompatible Plugins and Extensions
Below are all incompatible plugins and extension listed.
Do not upgrade your device if any of the below plugins are installed and actively used by an service or host check (marked in green with label "used by ..."). Please contact support@azeti.net for further assistance.
| Plugin Name | Description | Status |
|---|---|---|
Fixed with SONARPLEX v5.1.2a, plugin-updates-001_v4.2.0b_to_v5.1.2a (September 2014) | ||
| HTTP-XML-Interface.azse | HTTP POST XML Interface for integration of external data and systems Accepts HTTP POST Requests and receives a XML file and parameters. Several variables can be conducted out of mutliple xml fields, e.g. the service name. | incompatible |
| check_radius | Built in radius check | execution problem, please use check_radius_adv.azsp instead, see Compatible Plugins and Extensions |
|
Fixed with plugin-updates-003_v42.0b_to_v5.1.1b | |
check_modbus_drycontact check_modbus_drycontact2 | Standalone plugin to read dry contacts via MODBUS | End of life. Replaced by check_modbus_fast_drycontact3 and the required modbus_fastd Daemon. Requires manual upgrade work, please contact support@azeti.net for further information. |
check_modbus_poll check_modbus_read check_modbus_read2 | Standalone plugin for reading values via MODBUS | End of life. Replaced by check_modbus_fast_read3 and the required modbus_fastd Daemon. Requires manual upgrade work, please contact support@azeti.net for further information. |
| check_modbus_access | MODBUS based access control plugin | End of life. Replaced by check_modbus_access_m2m-wtsc and the required modbus_fastd Daemon. Requires manual upgrade work, please contact support@azeti.net for further information. |
| check-modbus-device-alive | Host check plugin based on MODBUS | End of life. |
check_modbus_write check_modbus_write2 | Plugins for writing registers via MODBUS | End of life. Replaced by check_modbus_fast_write4 or the MODBUS action and the required modbus_fastd Daemon. Requires manual upgrade work, please contact support@azeti.net for further information. |
| check_azetiplugin_kyocera_toner | Checks toner resource via SNMP | End of life. Unsupported for SONARPLEX 5. Monitoring toner should be configured via SNMP Traps from the printer to the SONARPLEX. |
Compatible Plugins and Extensions
Following plugins are compatible and will be automatically upgraded through the upgrade patch. You can download all of these plugin in azeti Portal > Download > SONARPLEX Generation 5 > Plugins as well.
The Service Check Plugin check_snmp.pl is not listed as it is installed by default and will be automatically updated.
| Plugin Name | Description | Version |
|---|---|---|
| camera.azsp | receives HTTP alerts form AXIS Cameras upon motion detection | Version 1.0.1273 |
| check_arm_state.azsp |
| Version 1.0.714 |
| check_axis_storage.pl | simple script for checking the storage state (OK or NON-OK) for Axis Mxxxx and Pxxxx cameras | (No version information available) |
| check_azetiplugin_akcpairflow.tar.gz | SNMP based plugin to query specific sensor from AKCP sensorprobe device | Version 0.0.613 |
| check_azetiplugin_akcphumidity.tar.gz | SNMP based plugin to query specific sensor from AKCP sensorprobe device | Version 0.0.613 |
| check_azetiplugin_akcpmotion.tar.gz | SNMP based plugin to query specific sensor from AKCP sensorprobe device | Version 0.0.613 |
| check_azetiplugin_akcpsecurity.tar.gz | SNMP based plugin to query specific sensor from AKCP sensorprobe device | Version 0.0.613 |
| check_azetiplugin_akcpsmoke.tar.gz | SNMP based plugin to query specific sensor from AKCP sensorprobe device | Version 0.0.613 |
| check_azetiplugin_akcptemperature.tar.gz | SNMP based plugin to query specific sensor from AKCP sensorprobe device | Version 0.0.613 |
| check_azetiplugin_akcpwater.tar.gz | SNMP based plugin to query specific sensor from AKCP sensorprobe device | Version 0.0.613 |
| check_azetiplugin_ncp_sevpn.azsp | Special remote check. The plugin checks data within a remote MYSQL database. | Version 1.0.663 |
| check_azetiplugin_esx_perf.azsps | Remote Check Plugin for checking performance counter on ESX hosts via the VMware Perl SDK. Requires the azeti Virtual Remote Host (azeti-VRH). | Version 1.0.675 |
| check_azetiplugin_exchange.tar.gz | collection of performance counters for exchange servers, based on check_ azeti_perf | Version 0.0.763 |
| check_azetiplugin_netapp3.azsp | Checks NetAPP resource values via SNMP | Version 3.0.807 |
| check_azetiplugin_remoteping.azsp | remote check plugin which allows the user to ping a host from a remote host | Version 1.0.613 |
| check_azetiplugin_vcenter_inv.azsps | checks VMware vCenter inventory and creats a csv for import within the SONARMANAGER | Version 1.0.683 |
| check_azetiplugin_vcenter_perf.azsps | check the performance counters of configured hosts and cluster in a VMware vCenter | Version 1.0.684 |
| check_cisco_ipsla.azsp | checks the network latency through the proprietary CISCO IPSLA protocol. Data is received from cisco routers via SNMP | Version 1.0.613 |
| check_icmp_adv2.azsp | enhanced ICMP check with Host Property support (e.g. loading ip addresses of different network interfaces) | Version 1.0.618 |
| check_icmp2.azsp | enhanced check_icmp with TOS support and further advanced options | Version 1.0.613 |
| check_modbus_access_m2m-wtsc.azsp | MODBUS based check plugin for M2m-WTSC converters used within access control (via PIN-Pad or proximity reader) installations | Version 1.6.780 |
| check_modbus_fast_drycontact3.azsp | MODBUS based check for drycontacts | Version 1.7.777 |
| check_modbus_fast_read3.azsp | MODBUS based check to read single registers | Version 1.4.735 |
| check_modbus_fast_write4.azsp | MODBUS based check to write to single registers, also used by action_modbus_write.azsp | Version 1.4.738 |
| check_performance_trend.azsp | checks the latest value of an already monitored service against a historic value and compares the resulting difference against thresholds. This is especially useful to check for the growth or loss over a certain amount of time, e.g. for detecting abnormal fuel level drops. | Version 0.1.613 |
| check_remote_snmp_ifbandwidth.azsp | remote check to execute a check_snmp_ifbandwidth from another host. E.g. when the destination is not in the same network segment as the SONARPLEX device or if SNMP is only enabled within a special network segment | Version 1.0.678 |
| check_radius_adv | Advanced RADIUS login check. Replaces the built in check_radius as has currently open bugs | Version 1.0.623 |
| check_snmp_ifbandwidth_pct.azsp | checks the percentual network interface usage in regards to either a fixed interface speed or an automatically detected interface speed, like it is the case for DSL Routers | Version 1.0.613 |
| data_exporter.azse | Coletcs event and performance data into archives as CSV and/or XML. These exports are regularly uploaded to a destination FTP server. | Version 1.0.506 |
| modbus-fastd.azse | MODBUS Fast Daemon | Version 1.7.1 |
| MODBUS-Setup.azse | tool to send manual request to a connected MODBUS for configuration and setup purposes, requires the modbus_fastd.azse | Version 1.3.563 |
| send_sms_to_gateway | connects the Messaging gateway for SMS sending | (No version information available) |
| snmpd.azse | Net-SNMP based daemon to access status information via SNMP GET from the SONARPLEX | Version 1.0.533 |
| sonargate.azse | provided the connection and configuration interface for the azeti SONARGATE | Version 1.2.28.1245 |
| sonartcpd.azse | TCP based Zigbee daemon for importing data from external sensors | Version 1.0.434 |
| Video.azse-Harvester.azse | Daemon to harvest recorded videos from connected Axis cameras and uploading these to an external FTP server later on | Version 1.0.570 |
Plugins for the azeti NG device
If you're using the azeti NG and want to install plugins manually you must check if a specific ARM version of that plugin exists. Please do so as the ARM platform of the azeti NG may require a specific ARM version of particular plugins. Anyway, most of the plugins will run on any platform. An example for such a specific ARM version is the modbus_fastd.azse.
You can get specific ARM builds of plugins which run on the azeti NG in the azeti Portal > Downloads > SONARPLEX Generation 5 > Plugins > ARM.
Status Update
The system configuration, performance data and event-log will be upgraded to the new version. Due to the major software change the status file will not take over to the new version. This means it will take a while until the status will be updated.
Upgrade Preparations
Upgrade path
The SONARPLEX can be upgraded from release 4.2.x to 5.1.x. If you are running any version different from 4.2.x you must upgrade to release 4.2 first.
Order of upgrades in distributed monitoring (DM) environments
When upgrading in a distributed monitoring environment, you can decide the upgrade order that fits your organization. The distributed monitoring environment will work in an environment that have both SONARPLEX generation 4 and generation 5.
Order of upgrades in high-availability (HA) configurations
If you have a HA system installed, first you have to upgrade the master and second the slave.
Download necessary upgrade files
You can either download the files manually or as a package which contains everything.
Upgrade Package
A package containing the necessary update for 4.2.0b, plugin updates for 5.1.1 and the SONARMANAGER is available in the azeti Portal.
Download the package at azeti Portal > Downloads > SONARPLEX Generation 5 > Upgrade from 4.2.x to 5.1.x > Upgrade_Package_vxxx_from_SONARPLEX_4.2.x_to_5.1.x.zip
Note that you still must download the image update file for your device (indentified by its SysId), see azeti Portal > My Appliances > <SONARPLEX SysId>.
Individual File Download
Necessary files can be individually downloaded from the azeti Portal. These are the minimum required files for the upgrade procedure.
| Package | Filename | Description | Download |
|---|---|---|---|
SONARPLEX 4.2 patch level 7 | update-4.2.0b-base-7.tar | enables upgrade from SONARPLEX 4.2.0b to 5.1.x | azeti Portal > Downloads > SONARPLEX Generation 4 > Updates |
| SONARPLEX 5.1.x image | <SysID>-daaz1en-5.1.x.aup (e.g. 2m002421121f36-daaz1en-5.1.1b.aup) | Full Operating System image version 5.1.x | azeti Portal > My Appliances > <SONARPLEX SysId> |
| SONARPLEX 5.1.x plugin updates | plugin-updates-xxx_v4.2.0b_to_v5.1.x.tar | Package containing all necessary plugin updates for automatic installation | azeti Portal > Downloads > SONARPLEX Generation 5 > Updates |
| SONARMANAGER 2.7.3.24 | SonarManager_2.7.3.24.zip | SONARMANAGER compatible to SONARPLEX 5.x.x | azeti Portal > Downloads > SONARPLEX Generation 5 > SONARMANAGER |
System Backup
Please remember to do backup first, before installing an update in case of any problems that may occur. To do backup please follow instructions below.
Please perform the following steps to create a backup using the Web Interface:
Open the Administration Web Interface > System > Backup
Choose all listed components (addon_data, logfiles, monitoring, performance_data, system) for the inclusion and tick persistent backup (backup is excluded for the regular rotation)
- Choose Create new backup including components. The backup creation starts immediately in the background. The new backup file will appear in the list of available backups after the creation is finalized.
- Download the created backup by choosing
and store the created backup on an external drive
SONARPLEX generation 5 contains new features which aren´t available in SONARPLEX generation 4. This means that the SONARPLEX generation 5 does not support generation 4 backups anymore.
In order to perform a rollback, a backup must be created before updating to generation 5.
Enable Large Installation Tweaks
Please enable Use large installation tweaks before the upgrade, this option deactivates automatic backups upon startup. This is highly recommended as otherwise the upgrade can take a long time and most installations can easily rely on SONARBACKUP or the regular auto backups.
To enable the large installation tweaks:
- Open the Administration Web Interface > Configuration > System > Load Configuration
- Activate Use large installation tweaks
Disable Notifications
Notifications should be disabled globally during the upgrade process to avoid any unnecessary notifications or even possible alert floods.
Disable notifications globally:
- Open the User Web Interface > Status > Processes
- Choose
Disable notifications and press Commit in the next screen
This disables the notifications persistently, so even reboots and Monitor process restarts will keep the notification system disabled. Check Re-Enable the Notifications after the upgrade.
Upgrade Installation
Upgrade to SONARPLEX version 4.2.x
You must download the SONARPLEX image(s) for the following upgrades form the azeti Portal specifically for your device(s), see the previous section Individual File Download for details.
To upgrade to 4.2.x do the following:
- Open the Administration Web Interface > Update
- Choose Manual Update and Browse to select the SONARPLEX version 4.2.0 image file (extension .aup) you downloaded previously
- Select the update icon
to start the update, the SONARPLEX will reboot which takes up to 10 minutes
Install necessary updates for 4.2.x
To allow the upgrade to SONARPLEX Generation 5 you must install a patch.
Even if you decide to stay with SONARPLEX release 4.2 the patch fixes some major bugs and it is recommended to be installed.
Upgrade to SONARPLEX version 5.1.x
Install the new SONARPLEX 5.1.x:
- Open the Administration Web Interface > Update
- Choose Manual Update and Browse to select the SONARPLEX version 5.1.x image file (extension .aup) you downloaded previously
- Select the update icon to start the update, the SONARPLEX will reboot which takes up to 10 minutes
You can easily verify if the upgrade was successful:
- Open the Administration Web Interface > Summary
- Check the proper version string in Your appliance is running which must show a 5.1.x version
SONARPLEX 5 comes with a green web interface color scheme. Due to the caching of your Web Browser it might be necessary to manual reload of the SONARPLEX Web page to see the new scheme.
After the SONARPLEX Upgrade
SONARPLEX 5 is a major release and thus some minor system configuration changes must be done right after the upgrade.
Updating the LOAD Configuration
The following step assures that the global LOAD Configuration is properly updated and is mandatory.
- Open the Administration Web Interface > Configuration > System > Load Configuration
- Choose
to save the current configuration and apply it with the following 
Configure the global Log Level
A whole new logging framework was introduced with the upgrade. See Administration Web Interface > Configuration > System > Logging Configuration.
By default the Debug log level is set to OFF. We recommend turning it to INFO for all hardware types except the azeti NG.
The azeti NG runs on SD flash storage and debug log levels can lead to decreased lifetime of the storage due to large amounts of write operations through logging. Therefore leave the Debug log level set to OFF.
Flush the Retention File
To warrant a consistent status among the old and new plugins, delete the retention file.
Deleting the retention file leads to a flush of all status information, this will set every host and service object into state PENDING. This is expected and the objects will be checked during the normal check intervals and return into a non-PENDING state.
Deleting the retention file:
- Open the Administration Web Interface > Status > Monitor
- Choose
Delete state retention file (read online help before using), the Monitor process will be restarted automatically
Flush the Mail Queue
It is possible that during the upgrade system messages are created and stored in the email queue. Those would be sent out whenever you enable the SMTP configuration and you can flush those if you don't want to receive such mails from the upgrade.
Flushing queued e-mails:
- Open the Administration Web Interface > System > Email Queue
- Choose Delete all messages in queue and press OK
Re-Enable the Notifications
When all upgrade steps are done and the system behaves properly, it is save to enable the notifications again. Check that not too many service and host checks are in Non-OK states to avoid notification floods.
Enable notifications globally:
- Open the User Web Interface > Status > Processes
- Choose
Enable notifications and press Commit in the next screen
Plugin Migration
Note that most of the plugins will show up Installation problems(s) (see screenshot above) in Administration Web Interface > Configuration > My Plugins, this is normal as you now must upgrade the plugins for compatibility.
Follow one of the below described ways, automatic or manual, to update all plugins.
Installing the Plugin Update Package
As most of the plugins are not compatible between SONARPLEX 4.x.x and 5.x.x, these must be updated.
We highly recommend to use the upgrade patch as it will upgrade the plugins automatically. You can find the plugin update, named plugin-updates-003_v4.2.0b_to_v5.1.x.tar in the azeti Portal > Downloads > SONARPLEX Generation 5 > Updates
After the download you must install the plugin updates package:
- Open the Administration Web Interface > System > Patch
- Choose Browse to select the proper patch file and elect the apply icon to start the installation, the SONARPLEX will reboot which can take up to 10 minutes
- style