Project objective

Upgrade Nuage VSP from version 5.4.1 to 20.10 R5 (major), for a Tier 1 Mobile Network Operator in the UK.

What is Nuage? 

Nuage Networks from Nokia, Virtualized Services Platform [VSP] “is the industry leading network automation platform enabling a complete range of SDN, SD-WAN, and cloud solutions. VSP provides advanced network automation across networks and clouds of all sizes and architectures, from datacenter private clouds to large enterprise wide area networks (WANs) and some of the largest public clouds in the world. VSP enables both Virtualized Network Services (VNS) for SD-WAN and Virtualized Cloud Services (VCS) for SDN.”

Problem Statement

Customer was running a Nuage VSP release which was near to End of Life (EoL).

Bexprt were asked to upgrade the solution to the latest release as swiftly as possible. 

• Original version: 5.4.1
• Target version: 20.10.R5 

Challenges

• Limited time (pre-production to be completed in 2 weeks)
• Alignment of all stakeholders
• Major upgrade 
• Minimum downtime
• Service verification after a successful upgrade
• Multiple nodes were unreachable remotely

High-level project plan

This Nuage VSP major upgrade involved the upgrade of multiple components. 

Bexprt developed and managed the project execution plan.

• VSD upgrade Method of Procedure (MOP) and restoration/roll-back plan prepared, discussed and agreed with the customer prior to execution. 
• Bexprt identified some discrepancies in the original deployment of the solution; a solution to resolve them was proposed and agreed with the customer.

Step 1: After the successful upgrade of VSDs (primary component), a 48-hour close-monitoring period was observed with zero issues.

Steps 2 to 6: On completion of the close-monitoring period, the remaining steps were undertaken and all other components were successfully upgraded. 

Challenges overcome

Due to EoL time pressures, innovative approaches were needed to swiftly implement the project. 

Major challenge: some components/nodes were unreachable remotely. Bexprt proposed reversing access to the nodes after upgrading to the latest release, whilst maintaining security. Details of mitigation, confidence, and time benefit were discussed with the client who accepted this creative solution. 

Plan was successfully implemented and the connectivity of nodes was restored.

This approach saved a considerable amount of project time.

Great learning experience: optimizing project time, and alignment of stakeholders.

The results & benefits

Major Nuage upgrade completed on schedule, with minimum downtime.

How can Bexprt help?

If your business needs assistance working out how to transform your ICT processes, upgrade your systems, or migrate to the cloud, get in touch. We can assist your business with all elements of assessment, implementation, and upgrade to digitally transform your business.

We’re always happy to have an informal, exploratory conversation, email us at hello@bexprt.com 

Bexprt ◦ Your business enablement partner 

hello@bexprt.com ◦ LinkedIn

Business Transformation ◦ Cloud Services ◦ ICT Professional Services ◦ Cyber Security Services

Image credit: Rene Böhmer