Introduction to ReadyLinks Firmware
ReadyLinks takes pride in providing robust networking and IT solutions that are simple to manage and highly effective. This commitment extends to firmware management on ReadyLinks devices. Traditionally, firmware updates are seen as tedious, time-consuming, and fraught with risk, often a source of frustration for network administrators. However, ReadyLinks strives to ease this burden. The industry has long struggled with the complexities of firmware management, leading to countless horror stories of failed upgrades due to corrupted files or late-night troubleshooting in data centers. ReadyLinks aims to streamline and simplify these processes.
Simplified Firmware Updates
In the early days of ReadyLinks, firmware configuration was as simple as setting a convenient maintenance window for your network, such as late at night on a weekend. As ReadyLinks has grown alongside its customer base, it has introduced more advanced controls for customers who need them while preserving the simplicity of cloud-based delivery. Customers can now manage firmware across their organization by choosing which firmware version runs on each network.
Firmware Conventions
ReadyLinks firmware follows a consistent naming convention across its products, consisting of major, minor, maintenance, and hotfix numbers as part of the version name.
This versioning system is designed to provide clarity on the scope of updates. Major versions typically introduce significant changes and should be carefully evaluated before upgrading. In contrast, minor and maintenance versions are usually smaller updates that can be implemented with less concern.
Firmware versions use the following format:
<Major Version>.<Minor Version>.r<Patch Version>
| Version | Description |
| Major | A major new feature or product is introduced. |
| Minor | Minor features and fixes are released on top of a major version base. |
| Patch | Urgent patches are released prior to being rolled into the next minor/major version release. |
General Firmware Best Practices
ReadyLinks was founded on the promise of making device management intuitive, and this commitment extends to ReadyLinks firmware management. With the power of the ReadyLinks dashboard, we deliver high-quality firmware that provides access to cutting-edge features and secure, reliable software. Out of the box, we recommend leveraging the simple, automatic, and seamless update process. By default, your devices will be scheduled for updates as new firmware becomes available—firmware that undergoes rigorous validation and testing before deployment.
ReadyLinks' default firmware settings include:
- No automatic beta firmware deployments
- A default upgrade window
- A standard upgrade day of Wednesdays
On average, ReadyLinks releases new firmware for each product family once per quarter. This steady cadence ensures you receive new features and functionalities promptly while minimizing significant changes between versions to maintain software quality.
Staged Upgrades
For large-scale, enterprise networks, it's recommended to roll-out new firmware in phase to minimize network disruption and guarantee stability. It’s always important to consider the topology of your switches as, when you drive closer to the network core and away from the access layer, the risk during a firmware upgrade increases. Because of this, in a larger switch-based network you should always start the upgrade closest to the access layer. The high-level process for a switch upgrade involves the following:
- The switch downloads the new firmware (time varies depending on your connection, typically 8-10 minutes)
- The switch reboots with its new firmware (about a minute)
- Network protocols reconverge (varies depending on configuration)