SOTI Pulse Logo

Update Zebra MC33X to Android 11

M
MaikStrassmann
KWS SAAT SE

ello dear Soti users,

we have received information from the IT management that we should please make sure that we are using the latest Android updates.

We are using different Zebra MC33 and Zebra MC33X in one department.

For the MC33 there is only android8 available, so I guess we have to ditch those device.

But for the MC33X there is Android 11 availabe.



We are using Android 10 devices set up as Work Managed Device for the MC33X.

In your opinion, what is the best and most stress-free (for the user) procedure to distribute the update without a large downtime (at best on the weekend)?

In my last test I had the update file copied to the sdcard and executed the command

install_system_update /sdcard/Download/HE_DELTA_UPDATE_10-16-10.00-QG-U44-STD-HEL-04.zip

 

This could be synchronized accordingly with a filesync or profile in advance and make a script execution on the weekend, for example, via a scheduled task.

Hope to hear your recommendation.

zebra mc33 mc33x
2 years ago
SOTI MobiControl
ANSWERS
MD
Matt Dermody
2 years ago

The answer is pretty similar to the answer for the Honeywell devices. The only real difference is the process for executing the update. With Zebra you use an explicit install_system_update script on the file which means that it won't accidentally trigger in the mean time via a organic reboot. You can pre-stage the file with a file sync script now and then later execute the firmware update via a scheduled one time script. 

Another factor that just occurred to me is Battery Level. You don't want to tell a device with 10% battery to execute a Firmware update. With that in mind you may want to include extra Filter Criteria in your Task Scheduler Profile to also wait to apply the Profile until a minimum battery threshold is hit. 

M
MaikStrassmann
2 years ago

Hi Matt,
Again (SOTI Discussion Forum), thank you very much for your reply.
The hint with the battery is also a good one.

RS
Rafael Schäfer
2 years ago

You could also use the inbuild Zebra FOTA functionality in Mobicontrol but currently there's no scheduling possible (so the download and executing the update is done immediately after pressing install) but want to show up that this could be possible to use also. But we will be in contact with Soti because of the missing possibility for scheduling.

(You need also 2 additional apps to be provided to the devices but this is all documented)

The benefit of that is, that you don't need to create packages for each new version or handle scripts. All done via the UI in the console. 

MD
Matt Dermody
2 years ago

I have been very disappointed with SOTI's bare minimum implementation of the Z-FOTA integration. It's not practical to use without any level of scheduling or assignment capability. I ultimately would want some sort of Profile-esque assignment logic where I could enforce a version to be applied to a given group of devices based on similar filter criteria logic. For example I'd like to be able to say that any TC52 that enrolls into the server should get upgraded to X version of the OS if it is not already on that version. That is exactly what I do with File Sync rules and virtual groups today. The Z-FOTA option is significantly less capable than the native features already offered by SOTI so it really makes no sense to leverage it until SOTI adds more configurability and control mechanisms. There is absolutely no way I want to sit in front of a console all day and select a manual option to OS update devices. That is an unrealistic expectation and is seemingly a fundamental misunderstanding of how EMM admins work. 

RS
Rafael Schäfer
2 years ago

I fully agree and added some notes regarding what you have written additional to my own ones. We will place that to Soti side when talking about that with them.

But regarding this topic here, i just wanted to highlight that theres this possibility also, even there's still work to do from Soti side to make it a good possibility.

M
MNMOD@SOTI
2 years ago

Hi MaikStassmann,

Thank you for posting on SOTI Pulse! And thank you everyone for your feedback.

I see that couple of solutions are provided. Do any of these work for you? If yes, please mark the post as solution. If you require any more assistance, please feel free to let us know.

Kind regards,

Technical Support Specialist | SOTI | +1 905.624.9828 | SOTI.net l Discussion Forum | Log a Case Online l Facebook l LinkedIn l Twitter 

Similar Discussions