How to Upgrade Cisco Firepower Threat Defense (FTD) Software Step-by-Step
leo peng
Upgrading Cisco Firepower Threat Defense (FTD) software is a vital maintenance task that ensures your network remains secure, functional, and capable of leveraging the latest Cisco threat defense technologies. This guide walks you through the entire FTD upgrade process—from preparation and execution to post-upgrade validation—with step-by-step clarity to reduce risk and ensure success.
Why Upgrade Cisco FTD Software?
Regularly upgrading your Cisco FTD software strengthens your network’s security posture and ensures access to new features, performance improvements, and critical bug fixes. As a next-generation threat defense platform, FTD provides integrated threat protection including:
Advanced Malware Protection (AMP)
Intrusion Prevention System (IPS)
URL Filtering
Application Control
Upgrades often introduce changes in feature behavior or deprecated functionalities. Staying current is essential for maintaining compatibility with other Cisco Secure components such as Firepower Management Center (FMC), and ensuring consistent policy enforcement and visibility.
Essential Preparation for Cisco FTD Upgrade
Thorough preparation is the cornerstone of a successful upgrade. Follow these steps to minimize the risk of failure or disruption:
1. Planning and Feasibility
Assess Deployment: Identify your device models (e.g., Firepower 1000/2100, ASA 5500-X, ISA 3000, Secure Firewall 3100, Firepower 4100/9300) and their deployment mode (HA, clustering, standalone). Review Upgrade Path: Determine the correct version path, especially for multi-hop upgrades or FXOS-based platforms like the Firepower 4100/9300. Check Cisco Documents:
Software Upgrade Guidelines
Firepower Release Notes
Cisco Secure Firewall Management Center New Features by Release
2. Network and Appliance Checks
Access Requirements: Ensure out-of-band access to both FMC and FTD appliances.
Bandwidth Planning: Large packages can stress the management network; upload software in advance.
Schedule Downtime: Choose a low-traffic maintenance window to perform the upgrade.
3. Backup Procedures
Pre-Upgrade Backups:
Back up both FMC and FTD configurations to a secure location.
For Firepower 4100/9300, export FXOS configurations via FXOS CLI or Firepower Chassis Manager.
Post-Upgrade Backups: Back up FMC after all managed devices are upgraded to maintain consistency.
For bandwidth-limited networks, upload to an internal HTTP server and pull from there.
5. Associated System Upgrades
FXOS Upgrade: Required for FTD upgrade on Firepower 4100/9300 platforms.
Hypervisor Compatibility: Ensure compatibility if FTD is deployed as a VM—especially with older VMware environments.
6. Final Pre-Upgrade Checks
Time Sync: Verify NTP synchronization.
Deploy All Pending Configurations: Incomplete deployments may cause upgrade issues.
Run Readiness Checks: This includes compatibility, disk space, and running task verification.
Check Free Disk Space: Insufficient space will halt the upgrade.
Step-by-Step Cisco FTD Upgrade Process
The FTD upgrade process follows a strict sequence. You must perform upgrades in the correct order:
1. Upgrade Order
FMC First: FMC must be the same or newer than the FTD version. An older FMC cannot manage a newer FTD.
FXOS Before FTD: On Firepower 4100/9300 platforms, upgrade FXOS first. In HA deployments, begin with the standby chassis.
FTD Upgrade: In HA or clustered environments, upgrade devices one by one. Start with the standby or least critical device.
2. Choosing the Upgrade Method
You can initiate upgrades using one of the following methods:
Method 1: FTD Upgrade Wizard (Recommended)
Step-by-step guidance through:
Device selection
Package upload/copy
Compatibility and readiness checks
Upgrade scheduling
This method is faster, requires less manual intervention, and performs validation to reduce failure risk.
Method 2: Manual Upgrade via System Updates
Navigate to System > Updates
Upload the upgrade package
Apply the upgrade to selected devices
Use this method for custom workflows or advanced deployments, though it requires closer attention to readiness.
Post-Upgrade Validation
Once the upgrade completes, follow these post-upgrade checks to ensure stability and functionality:
Verify Device Versions:
Go to Devices > Device Management
Confirm the new FTD software version on all devices
Check Device Roles:
In HA/clustered environments, roles may have swapped during upgrade
Adjust as needed to restore preferred topology
Update Rules and Databases:
Install updated:
Security Intelligence feeds
Intrusion rules (SRU)
Vulnerability database (VDB)
Apply Post-Upgrade Config Changes:
Implement any version-specific configuration modifications
Review Cisco release notes for required actions
Redeploy Configurations:
Redeploy from FMC to push any changes and ensure enforcement
Review and validate traffic policies after deployment
Conclusion
Upgrading Cisco Firepower Threat Defense (FTD) is a critical but manageable process when approached with proper planning and validation. Start with a complete assessment of your current deployment, execute the upgrade in the correct order, and finalize with thorough validation. By following this guide, network administrators can minimize downtime, avoid common upgrade pitfalls, and maintain optimal security posture for their enterprise network.
