CISCO Smart Manager On-Prem Migration Tool Software

Product Information

Specifications:

• Product Name: Cisco Smart Software Manager On-Prem Migration Tool
• Version: 9 Release 202406
• Supported Platforms: ESXi7.x and ESXi8.x
• Operating System: CentOS (End-of-Life), AlmaLinux 9

Product Usage Instructions

Introduction:
The Cisco Smart Software Manager On-Prem Migration Tool is designed to facilitate the migration of SSM On-Prem from CentOS to AlmaLinux. The migration process involves two main steps outlined below.

Migration Steps:

CentOS Server Side:
Run the Migration script on the SSM On-Prem 8-202404 to obtain a backup file with root level access to the console.

AlmaLinux Server Side:
Run the migration script with the backup file obtained in Step 1 on a new Virtual Machine deployed with SSM On-Prem 9-202406.

Additional Notes:

• For HA setups, follow the specific instructions provided in the manual to ensure a smooth transition.
• Ensure network configurations match between the old CentOS setup and the new AlmaLinux setup.
• Perform the migration during a maintenance window as it may require up to 15 hours of downtime.

Procedure for CentOS Server Side:

1. Before you begin:
   • Make sure to have a DB backup.
   • If supported, take snapshots of ESXi/VMware for backup.
2. Procedure:
   1. Copy the Migration Script to the patches folder on SSM On-Prem 8-202404.
   2. Run the migration command in the On-Prem console.
   3. A backup file will be created in a specified folder.
   4. Copy the backup file to a secure external server.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

• Q: How long does the migration process take?
  A: The migration process may take up to 15 hours of downtime for SSM On-Prem production.
• Q: What are the supported platforms for the SSM On-Prem Migration Tool?
  A: The tool supports ESXi7.x and ESXi8.x platforms.

Introduction

At present, the SSM On-Prem virtual deployment is supported on ESXi7.x and ESXi8.x and the underlying Operating System is CentOS. CentOS is going EOL(End-of-Life), so the latest version of SSM On-Prem application is built on AlmaLinux 9 operating system.
The Migration is two-step process:

1. CentOS Server side: Run the Migration script on the SSM On-Prem 8-202404 to obtain a backup file.
   Note: The user needs to have root level access to the SSM On-Prem console.
2. AlmaLinux Server side: Run the migration script with the backup file from Step1 on new Virtual Machine deployed with SSM On-Prem 9-202406.

Note:

• For On-Prem in HA set up, ensure to tear down HA in the CentOS SSM-OnPrem 8-202404, keeping a note of the Active Node.
• Setup two machines running AlmaLinux SSM On-Prem 9-202406 with the same network configuration such as IP, Subnet, Gateway, and DNS as of the 8-202404 CentOS setup.
• Run the below migration steps in the Active Node after tearing down the HA. Apply the migration on the AlmaLinux SSM On-Prem 9-202406 machine and ensure this machine is the active node and setup HA between the two AlmaLinux SSM On-Prem 9-202406 machines.
• Ensure that the VIP, Private IPs, Network Configuration of the new setup is identical to that of 8-202404 CentOS setup

Steps to Migrate SSM On-Prem

Steps to Migrate SSM On-Prem from 8-202404 (CentOS) to 9-202406 (AlmaLinux)
It is recommended to perform the migration in maintenance window. The migration may take up to 1- 5 hours of down time for SSM On-Prem production, based on the customer’s deployment footprint. Carry out the following steps in CentOS Server side (SSM On-Prem 8-202404):

Before you begin:

• a. It is very important to have DB backup.
• b. If your ESXi/VM ware supports snapshots, take the snapshot and keep it ready.

Procedure:

1. Copy the Migration Script to the patches: (/var/files/patches) folder on SSM On-Prem 8-202404. copy @:/path/migrate_configs.sh patches: copy@:/path/migrate_configs.sh.sha256 patches:
   Note:
   • a) Non-STIG Customers can alternatively use scp or winSCP to copy the scripts to /var/files/patches. scp @:/path/migrate_configs.sh* /var/files/patches
   • b) The user needs to have root-level access to SSM On-Prem console.
2. Run the following command in the On-Prem console: upgrade patches:migrate_configs.sh
3. A backup file is created in /var/files/backups folder.
4. A message “Migration is complete” is printed mentioning the backup file and path.
5. Copy the backup file to a safe external server (Power down the SSM On-Prem server after copying the migration backup file).
   Note: If you prefer to transfer the migration backup file from an external machine (using tools such as WinSCP), you should change the ownership of the migration backup file (this note is not applicable for STIG Customers) to admin:admin using following example command: chown admin: admin onprem-migration-20240625214926.tar.gz

Carry out the following steps in AlmaLinux Server (SSM On-Prem 9-202406):

• Before you begin:
  • a. Deploy a new virtual machine with SSM On-Prem version 9-202406.
  • b. Make sure CentOS based SSM On-Prem server (8-202404) is powered down.
  • c. Setup the Alma Linux 9-202406 machine in DISA-STIG mode if your 8-202404 (CentOS) machine was in DISA-STIG Mode during installation. This step is optional for Non-STIG On-Prem deployments.
  • d. Make sure that the AlmaLinux based new Virtual Machine with SSM On-Prem Version 9-202406 is configured with the same Network configuration (IP, Subnet, Gateway, and DNS) as the CentOS based SSM On-Prem 8-202404.
• Procedure:
  1. Copy migration backup file obtained in Step #3 (SSM On-Prem server 8-202404) to AlmaLinux based SSM On-Prem server (9-202406) to the location “/var/files/backups”.
     copy @:/path/migrate_configs.sh patches:
     copy @:/path/migrate_configs.sh.sha256 patches:
     copy @:/path/migration_backup_filename backups:
  2. Run the following command in On-Prem console: upgrade patches:migrate_configs.sh
  3. Enter the name of the migration backup file when prompted.
  4. After the successful execution of the migration script, the SSM On- Prem server reboots.
  5. After the server has restarted, verify that the On-Prem server is communicating with devices and CSSM server.
  6. Verify Network configuration of all network interfaces to confirm they are correctly configured.

Documents / Resources

CISCO Smart Manager On-Prem Migration Tool Software [pdf] User Guide Smart Manager On-Prem Migration Tool Software, Manager On-Prem Migration Tool Software, Migration Tool Software, Tool Software, Software

References

• User Manual