Perform fail-safe firmware upgrades

A key component to maintaining the reliability and efficiency of your network is keeping the firmware on your network devices up-to-date. As you know, these devices can include managed switches, routers, wireless access points, and intrusion detection systems among others. Unfortunately, the device’s documentation doesn’t always provide the proper procedures for upgrading the firmware successfully. Moreover, an unsuccessful upgrade can not only result in substandard connectivity but also render the device entirely inoperable.

To perform fail-safe upgrades, we recommend the following best practices:

1. Back up the device’s current configuration; most devices provide this facility.
2. Reset the device to its factory default settings.
3. Apply the firmware update per the OEM’s instructions.
4. Reset the device to its factory default settings again.
5. Restore the device’s configuration settings from the backup you created in Step 1.
6. Reboot or restart the device.

Tip: Most devices provide a soft reset and a hard reset facility. Always perform a hard reset when given the opportunity.