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Upgrade the Kemp LoadMaster in HA mode

  • November 30, 2023
  • 5 min read
Cloud and Virtualization Architect. Paolo is a System Engineer, VCP-DCV, vExpert, VMCE, Veeam Vanguard, and author of the virtualization blog nolabnoparty.com
Cloud and Virtualization Architect. Paolo is a System Engineer, VCP-DCV, vExpert, VMCE, Veeam Vanguard, and author of the virtualization blog nolabnoparty.com


upgrade-kemp-loadmaster-in-ha-mode-01

If you need to upgrade your Kemp LoadMaster configured in HA mode, you need to follow a specific procedure to avoid service disruption.

First thing to do is to download the appropriate software for your Kemp LoadMaster from Kemp website.

Download the appropriate software

Backup the Kemp LoadMaster

Before proceeding, it’s strongly recommended to save the configuration to quickly restore the service in case something goes horribly wrong during the upgrade process.

Backup the configuration

Connect to the Kemp console using the shared IP (the system must be configured in HA mode) then navigate to System Configuration > System Administration > Backup/Restore. Click the Create Backup File button and save the file anywhere on your computer.

Backup the configuration

The default file name will be LMbackups_<device_name>_<date>.<time>.

The default file name will be LMbackups

Backup certificates

Now go to Certificates & Security > Backup/Restore Certs to save the certificates (if used). Enter a Passphrase to protect the file then click the Create Backup File button.

Create Backup File

The saved certificates backup file.

The saved certificates backup file

Backup cipher sets

If you want to save the current cipher sets in use before upgrading, go to Certificates & Security > Cipher Sets and select BestPractices in the Cipher Set drop-down menu.

Select BestPractices in the Cipher Set drop-down menu

In the Save as field specify a name for the file and click Save.

In the Save as field specify a name for the file and click Save

Update the Kemp LoadMaster

If you have a single Kemp LoadMaster available, the upgrade process will break the service for the time required to complete the upgrade. If you have the Kemp LoadMaster configured in HA, just follow this procedure.

Login to the Standby LoadMaster console first (don’t use the shared IP) by entering the correct credentials then click Login.

Update the Kemp LoadMaster

To avoid service disruption, make sure you are connected to the Standby LoadMaster (Kemp02 in the example). Check the current installed LoadMaster version.

Check the current installed LoadMaster version

Go to Local Administration > Update Software and click Choose File to load both Software Update File and Verification File.

Go to Local Administration > Update Software and click Choose File

When the two files have been selected, click Update Machine button.

Click Update Machine button

Click OK to continue.

A blue square with red arrow pointing to a blue square Description automatically generated

Click OK to install the software.

A screenshot of a software update Description automatically generated

Click Reboot Now when requested.

A white rectangular object with black lines Description automatically generated

Click Continue.

A white rectangular object with black lines Description automatically generated

When you login the Standby LoadMaster again, the LoadMaster version is now updated to the chosen version.

When you login the Standby LoadMaster again, the LoadMaster version is now updated to the chosen version

Now login to the Active LoadMaster (Kemp01 in the example) and check the current installed LoadMaster version.

Now login to the Active LoadMaster (Kemp01 in the example) and check the current installed LoadMaster version

From Local Administration > Update Software, repeat same operation as previously done and click Update machine.

From Local Administration > Update Software, repeat same operation as previously done and click Update machine

Click OK.

A blue square with red arrow pointing to a blue square Description automatically generated

Click OK to install the software.

A screenshot of a software update Description automatically generated

Click Reboot Now when requested.

A white rectangular object with black lines Description automatically generated

Click Continue.

A white rectangular object with black lines Description automatically generated

When you login the Active LoadMaster, this LoadMaster version is also up-to-date.

When you login the Active LoadMaster, this LoadMaster version is also up-to-date

The LoadMaster is now working properly and configured servers are properly balanced.

The Kemp LoadMaster is now updated to the latest version

The Kemp LoadMaster is now updated to the latest version.

Hey! Found Paolo’s article helpful? Looking to deploy a new, easy-to-manage, and cost-effective hyperconverged infrastructure?
Alex Bykovskyi
Alex Bykovskyi StarWind Virtual HCI Appliance Product Manager
Well, we can help you with this one! Building a new hyperconverged environment is a breeze with StarWind Virtual HCI Appliance (VHCA). It’s a complete hyperconverged infrastructure solution that combines hypervisor (vSphere, Hyper-V, Proxmox, or our custom version of KVM), software-defined storage (StarWind VSAN), and streamlined management tools. Interested in diving deeper into VHCA’s capabilities and features? Book your StarWind Virtual HCI Appliance demo today!