When to Update versus Reimage/Redeploy
In most cases, we recommend you upgrade. However, you must reimage physical devices or redeploy virtual appliances in the following cases:
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Switching device implementations—You want to switch your ASA 5500-X series device between ASA with FirePOWER Services and Firepower Threat Defense.
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Switching management methods—You want to switch management of Firepower Threat Defense between a Firepower Management Center and Firepower Device Manager, and the initially installed version on the device was Version 6.0.1.
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Switching virtual hosting environments—You want to recreate a virtual appliance in a new hosting environment. For example, if you are using Firepower Threat Defense Virtual for VMware but want to deploy in AWS, you must deploy a fresh virtual device.
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New platforms—You want to deploy Firepower Threat Defense Virtual for VMware managed by Firepower Device Manager. This environment is newly supported in Version 6.2.2.
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Other—You are unable or disinclined to follow the required update path as described in Update Paths to Version 6.2.2.
For details on reimaging/redeploying, see Reimage or Redeploy Version 6.2.2. For details on switching device implementations, management methods, or virtual hosting environments, see Switching Implementation, Management Method, or Hosting.