Software upgrade to CICS running DR 1.0 4X8

[Bill deWindt]

Greeting Everyone,

After spending several days now going over all the Nortel documentation I have, what Google could provide me and checking the Norstar Compatibility Matrix I find Myself here looking for the answer to one question. I have a standard run of the mill CICS with various phones connected to it using a Cisco router with FXS ports on it acting as the VoIP gateway to get calls out. Everything works fine, I just wanted to install a FastRAD to the unit since they are about $5 on ebay now, but I discovered my system is running what it reports as SP: 30AIH03 NAT and the Flash card is labelled NA-CICS-DR 1.0 4X8 (NNTM0409POUX) which is too old for a FastRAD. Since until last week I had only used this system as my testbed for customer sites that were running newer versions, I never noticed just how ancient this system's OS was. Now, since all my previous customers all had 7.1 on them when I set them up, I have never done a flash upgrade on one of these units. So my question for you folks is can I just upgrade this system by swapping the flash card for one labelled NA-CICS-DR 2.0 4X8-IRAD to get to DR2, or to one labelled NA CICS 4.0 STND W/IRAD to get to 4.0 Standard? Some documention indicates I can do this, only losing the programming, so long as I stay below version 4.1, but some posts on here from the past mention that in some instances you need to enter the Feature**SYSTEM menu and power cycling in a specific order before trying some things. The only card in the system is an NNTM0409Q3UZ and it looks like going to the 4.0 STND card will give me IRAD access and 16 stations instead of 8, but I don't want to brick the system due to inexperience. Like I said, all I really want is to be able to do is use a FastRAD, which needs DR2 or higher, since I have already determined the info I found saying that I could use T7316's with limited features on older versions was correct and I've replaced 2 aging M7310's with them. Just tring to breathe some new life into this old gal!

Thanks for your time!

 

[curlycord]

For 8 phones I would strongly advised to wipe out programming and upgrade to 7.1 SIP.
SIP =
Standard (4X16, but upgradable to 8X24 using a 2nd line card and an Expansion card (8 port) for sets
IRAD - Internal IRAD, no need for an external RAD
Prompts - Built in Auto Attendant to answer line and direct calls, no voicemail.

Otherwise to keep programming you would need to upgrade to 4.0 (I think you can go avoid 2.0 & 3.0), then to 4.1, then to 6.1, then to 7.1
However you can double check with the Installer guides and search "upgrade" for direction.

You can use actual X.X software cards and not the so called "Upgrade Tools/cards"

To wipe out and go straight to 7.1:
Recycle the power
Within 15 minutes to Feature **STARTUP the enter the config password, go through the motions and choose anything.
When it says "Applying Template", count to 15 seconds then pull the power
Swap software cards, power up, wait a couple minutes.

 

[curlycord]

I found the upgrade direction mentioned in 4.0 PDF

Upgrading to Compact ICS 4.0
When you upgrade from Compact ICS 1.0 to 4.0:
¥ Lines 005-008 are renumbered as 025-028. Any peripheral devices
(such as voice mail or call accounting software) which use these lines
must be reprogrammed.
¥ The I-RAD password (found under Passwords in programming) resets
to the default value.
¥ If your programming uses a dialing string between 73-89 (for
example, as destination codes), the programming is overwritten to
create the DNs for ISDN terminal equipment and the CTA 500dm.
You can upgrade directly from Compact ICS 2.0 to 4.0.
1. Verify your system programming, and update the Programming
Record.
2. Disconnect all central office and station line connections from the ICS.
3. Remove power from your system.
4. Remove the Compact ICS 1.0 or 2.0 Feature Cartridge.
5. Insert the Compact ICS 4.0 Feature Cartridge according to the
Installation chapter.
Change DN length from 2 to 3 digits before
upgrading.
The Hunt groups feature requires at least 3 digit DNs.
If you expect to use Hunt groups, change the DN
length to 3 before you carry out your other system
programming. For more information see Hunt groups
on page 159.
Risk of fire and electrical shock.
For continued protection against risk of fire and electrical
shock, ensure all unpopulated cartridge slots are covered by
filler faceplates prior to powering up. Immediately after
powering up, connect the central office and station line
connectors and replace the cover.
48 / Upgrading your system
Compact ICS 4.0 Installer Guide P0881600 Issue 02
6. Power up the system.
7. Connect the central office and station line connectors.
8. Replace the cover.

So it look likes my method mentioned should work.