Upgrading network need meticulous planning ..Few thing which has helped me in past 1: Pre Testing scenarios 2:List of all services running 3:Pre Upgrade logs 4:have a solid back out plan 5:Post upgrade logs and comparison with Pre upgrade logs to find out any anomaly 6: Keeping NOC engaged and informed during upgrade and getting confirmation post activity

* When you're planning a network upgrade for any size company. You need to have several bulleted items in place. * Here's some examples: * Have specific area for testing. A possible testing network environment. Before putting it into production. * Scheduling the time to do it. Which means off hours when there's no one in the office. Give the duration of how long the maintenance will take. * Make sure you communicate with the rest of the company that the computer network system will down from "this time to this time". By word of mouth, e-mail, and similar. Giving enough time so that the employees know. * Have proper testing and a check list to go through.

Several aspects to be factored before initiating a code upgrade project. Approach can vary based on organizations, infrastructure, product, technology and service offerings. #Code scrub for security, performance and compatibility # Standards to be followed per HW series, EOS, infra dependencies # Testing manual, management tool driven or fully automated # Redundancy- DC level vs local HA # Planning Implementation/Testing/Rollback # Stakeholder communication # Change Process & Approval # Chg script # Pre Change Testing & Communication #Vendor standby request #Implementation-Standby/secondary first, then active/primary #Post Change Testing & Communication #Post change health monitoring and hyper-care support #Post 48 Hour CX evaluation

To ensure network upgrades meet client expectations without causing disruptions, it's important to plan carefully and communicate clearly. Schedule upgrades during off-peak hours to minimize impact, and inform clients about the timeline and any potential temporary issues. Conduct thorough tests before the upgrade to identify and fix risks. Keep detailed documentation, have a backup plan in case things go wrong, and consider upgrading in phases to reduce risks. Engage with key stakeholders, monitor the network closely after the upgrade, and provide training and support to the client's IT staff. This way, you can ensure a smooth transition and address any concerns quickly.

• Backup Configurations • Perform and validate backups of all communication and infrastructure equipment configurations. • Notify Users • Inform service users of the planned upgrade schedule and expected downtime. • Pre-Upgrade Testing • Conduct tests in a controlled environment to validate compatibility with the current setup. • Verify Licensing • Confirm that appropriate licenses for the new versions are in place to avoid post-upgrade issues. • Apply the upgrade during the scheduled window. • Validate that the process completes successfully. • Monitor Post-Upgrade • Monitor network performance and functionality to confirm stable operations. • Restore the backed-up configurations to revert to the pre-upgrade state.

To plan any network upgrades and implement new infrastructure, we need to follow some key points to avoid network disruption: 1. We need to check the client requirements and understand what they want. 2. Additionally, we should plan the budget for upgrading the infrastructure. 3. Next, we need to create a plan based on the requirements and associated costs. 4. We should also plan some proof of concept (POC) and testing for upgrading the infrastructure or network. 5. Furthermore, we need to test for necessary changes in the infrastructure; if everything is running fine, we can plan the cutoff. 6. After completing the testing and POC, we will execute the upgrade as planned. 7. Finally, we need to conduct User Acceptance Testing (UAT).

To ensure client expectations are met without disruptions, I create a detailed project plan that includes clear timelines, risk assessments, and communication protocols. I implement upgrades during low-impact hours, perform thorough testing, and maintain continuous communication with the client to address any concerns promptly.

Its always about: - Prepare and develop a detailed Scope of work. - Communicate clearly all possible outcomes. - Cold execution of the scripts. - Validation. - Next day follow-up.

Network upgrades (vendor SWAPs) are complex but rewarding projects that require careful attention to detail and a collaborative approach. From meticulous technical planning to proactive customer engagement, each phase plays a crucial role in ensuring success. Dry runs and post-upgrade monitoring provide critical safety nets, while objective measurement of outcomes ensures continuous improvement. By focusing on both technical excellence and strong collaboration, organizations can deliver upgrades that drive significant improvements in performance and customer experience. Every upgrade represents an opportunity to innovate, learn, and adapt—ultimately contributing to the long-term success of the organization and its customers.

Managing network upgrades has taught me the importance of careful planning and proactive communication to meet client expectations while minimizing disruptions. I prioritize creating a detailed plan that schedules upgrades during off-peak hours to reduce operational impact, ensuring that client workflows remain largely unaffected. Before initiating the upgrade, I make sure to communicate clearly with team, providing them with a transparent timeline, the scope of work, and any potential downtime they might experience, which helps build trust and manage expectations. Testing is another critical aspect; I conduct pre-upgrade simulations to identify possible risks or issues, allowing me to implement preventive measures for smoother transition.