SecureAuth IdP Software Upgrade Process
Introduction
This guide assists customers preparing to upgrade the software on their SecureAuth IdP appliance(s) and describes best practices to ensure a successful process.
The procedures in this guide pertain to upgrading the SecureAuth IdP software version – not upgrading the appliance or Virtual Machine (VM) on which SecureAuth IdP runs.
Workflow
A SecureAuth IdP software upgrade follows four basic steps
Step 1: Upgrade Request
All upgrade requests must start with a ticket in the SecureAuth support system and contain the information listed below
Company Name
Customer Support Contact (CSC) phone and email address
Contact hours the CSC is available and in which time zone the CSC resides
The version of SecureAuth IdP software currently present on the appliance(s)
Information about any customized code present on the appliance(s)
Notice
This ticket only covers configuration and code changes necessary to upgrade the software – to submit a request, contact SecureAuth Technical Support.
Step 2: Upgrade Assessment
A SecureAuth Support Engineer will schedule a twenty minute on-line meeting with the CSC to gather information about the entire SecureAuth IdP environment in which the appliance(s) to be upgraded reside(s). The conversation will include running a customized code check utility on the appliance(s).
Tip
It is recommended that the CSC be knowledgeable about the entire SecureAuth IdP infrastructure or have other staff members on the call who have such knowledge
After the information is collected, an engineer will analyze the data. If any customized code is detected and this code would be incompatible with the software upgrade, then additional review is required before the upgrade can be performed.
Thereafter, an engineer will schedule a time with the CSC to perform the upgrade. In most cases, the appointment can be scheduled within two business days after the Upgrade Assessment has been completed. However, depending on the complexity of the environment, SecureAuth may require up to one business week to schedule an appointment.
Following the Upgrade Assessment meeting, SecureAuth will ask the CSC to "freeze" the existing SecureAuth IdP configuration to ensure a trouble-free upgrade.
Step 3: Upgrade Backup
Prior to upgrading the SecureAuth IdP server(s), SecureAuth encourages the customer to back up the appliance(s) in the event an unanticipated event occurs during the upgrade.
In the case of a VM, SecureAuth recommends a snapshot be taken as it offers the fastest method for rolling back. If the customer is running a hardware appliance, or if IT policies do not allow for a snapshot to be taken, SecureAuth recommends using the SA Backup utility included with SecureAuth IdP.
If assistance is needed with the SA Backup, contact SecureAuth Technical Support for assistance with the process.
Step 4: Upgrade
Per the agreement between SecureAuth and the customer
If a new appliance is required for the upgrade, SecureAuth will ship the appliance to the customer which must be installed and then activated
If a VM image is required, SecureAuth will provide the customer a link to the image which must be downloaded and installed on the server
At the agreed-upon time, a SecureAuth representative will perform the upgrade process with the CSC via a WebEx session.
Immediately after the process is complete, the upgrade testing will be performed with the CSC to ensure the process was completed successfully.
Once the customer has signed off on the upgrade process by closing the ticket (Upgrade Request), a SecureAuth representative will contact the CSC within two business days to discuss any follow-up issues.
Note
SecureAuth uses Citrix ShareFile to securely distribute support files to customers. In order to download the updater, a SecureAuth Support Engineer will need access to https://secureauth.sharefile.com
If corporate IT Security policies do not allow for access to ShareFile, alert the Support Engineer prior to the upgrade so an arrangement can be made for an alternative download method