MCS Index

The MCS index value list gives every combination of "number of spatial streams + modulation type + coding rate" that is possible.  In practice the achievable MCS value will depend on a large number of variables, and it may be prudent to run your hardware at a lower MCS value on purpose in order to allow for adequate fade margin in your link. The MCS value will only tell you the 'over the air' data rate of a link and not tell you what the actual usable throughput will be. You will need to refer to the documentation of your hardware for this information.



MCS INDEX VALUE
This is the unique reference given to the combination of "number of spatial streams + modulation type + coding rate".

SPATIAL STREAMS
Using MiMo technology it is possible currently to run up to 4 spatial streams. Effectively it allows you to use the same area of frequency space to transmit and receive multiple streams of data. Eventually with later revisions of 802.11ac, this will be increased to 8 spatial streams.

MODULATION TYPE
Modulation is the method by which data is communicated through the air. The more complex the modulation, the higher the data rate. More complex modulations require better conditions such as less interference and a good line of sight.

CODING RATE
This is an indication of how much of the data stream is actually being used to transmit usable data. This is expressed as a fraction with the most efficient rate being 5/6 or 83.3% of the data stream being used.

GUARD INTERVAL
The Guard Interval (GI) is effectively a very short pause between packet transmission to allow for any false information to be ignored. Longer Guard Intervals make for more reliable wireless.

CHANNEL WIDTH
This is how much of the channel is being used, the maximum being 40MHz. The table only shows values for 20MHz and 40MHz, but other values may also be used, and the throughput can be calculated by using the shown values as a baseline. For example, a 10MHz channel will provide half the Data Rate of a 20MHz.

Install SMU and SP11 on IOS XR 4.3.4

Upgrade action Plan:

1) Install post-expiry SMU CSCut52232 this is a hitless SMU means that there will be no reload involve -  download from below:
https://software.cisco.com/download/release.html?mdfid=282414851&softwareid=280867577&release=5.1.2&relind=AVAILABLE&rellifecycle=&reltype=latest

You can find the instruction how to install it on below link:
http://www.cisco.com/c/en/us/td/docs/routers/technotes/MOP-CSS-to-Abraxas.html

You need to install the root certificate and pie file from console, you can't install them via remote access. So untar the file, copy the certificate file and the SMU PIE to the router first and follow the instruction mentioned on the above link. Make sure that you will do admin install commit at the end.

# copy the following files
> copy tftp: harddisk: vrf Mgmt-Intf
  or use:
> copy ftp: harddisk: vrf Mgmt-Intf

> dir harddisk:
11581       -rwx  1217        Fri Jul  1 00:26:27 2016  css-root.cer
11661       -rwx  289740      Fri Jul  1 00:32:42 2016  asr9k-px-4.3.4.CSCut52232.pie
11662       -rwx  57262080    Fri Jul  1 01:46:30 2016  asr9k-px-4.3.4.CSCug75299.tar
11663       -rwx  57241600    Fri Jul  1 01:54:07 2016  asr9k-px-4.3.4.CSCui94441.tar
11664       -rwx  56268800    Fri Jul  1 01:55:23 2016  asr9k-px-4.3.4.CSCul58246.tar
11665       -rwx  166758400   Fri Jul  1 01:57:54 2016  asr9k-px-4.3.4.sp11.tar

# before install the root certificate, check the list of certificate currently installed
> show sam certificate brief

# From Console
> admin
> sam add certificate /harddisk:/css-root.cer root trust

# install add for the SMU PIE, don't need reload the router
> install add /harddisk:/asr9k-px-4.3.4.CSCut52232.pie sync
> install activate disk0:/asr9k-px-4.3.4.CSCut52232.1.0.0
> install commit

# make sure the cert has been installed
show sam certificate brief

2) Activate three mandatory SMUs before install SP11

> show install active summary

eg:
RP/0/RSP0/CPU0:ASR#sh install active sum
Fri Jul  1 13:07:42.315 NZST
Default Profile:
  SDRs:
    Owner
  Active Packages:
    disk0:asr9k-mini-px-4.3.4
    disk0:asr9k-k9sec-px-4.3.4
    disk0:asr9k-fpd-px-4.3.4
    disk0:asr9k-mcast-px-4.3.4
    disk0:asr9k-px-4.3.4.sp11-1.0.0

# install the SMUs in following sequence
1. CSCui94441
> install add tar /harddisk:/asr9k-px-4.3.4.CSCui94441.tar sync
> install activate disk0:/asr9k-px-4.3.4.CSCui94441-1.0.0 sync
> install commit
# will reboot itself

2. CSCug75299
> install add tar /harddisk:/asr9k-px-4.3.4.CSCug75299.tar sync
> install activate disk0:/asr9k-px-4.3.4.CSCug75299-1.0.0 sync
> install commit
# will reboot itself

3. CSCul58246
> install add tar /harddisk:/asr9k-px-4.3.4.CSCul58246.tar sync
> install activate disk0:/asr9k-px-4.3.4.CSCul58246-1.0.0 sync
> install commit
# will reboot itself

Note: each of them is a reloading SMU and will reload the whole router after activation. Make sure that you will issue admin install commit after router reloaded and before activating the next SMU.

3) The last step is to activate SP11 which will involve another reload. Make sure that you will issue admin install commit after router reloaded and came up.

> install add tar /harddisk:/asr9k-px-4.3.4.sp11.tar sync
> install activate disk0:/disk0:asr9k-px-4.3.4.sp11-1.0.0 sync
> install commit
# will reboot itself

In total, you should expect 4 reloads.