The automated deployment of IBM Cloud Pak for Data on Microsoft Azure utilizes a specific command-line utility (cpd-azure). The official upgrade procedure requires downloading the latest version of this utility and executing the cpd-azure upgrade command from a command-line interface. This CLI tool orchestrates the entire upgrade process, managing the underlying Red Hat OpenShift Container Platform and the Cloud Pak for Data services.

A. GitHub Repo: The GitHub repository contains the source code and automation scripts, but it is not the execution tool itself; a CLI is used to run these scripts.

B. PowerShell: While PowerShell is a command-line shell, the cpd-azure utility is the specific tool used, which is run from a CLI, not exclusively PowerShell.

C. Cloud Providers Marketplace: The Azure Marketplace is used for the initial provisioning and deployment of the environment, not for performing in-place software version upgrades.

1. IBM Cloud Pak for Data 4.8 Documentation

"Upgrading Cloud Pak for Data on Microsoft Azure". This section explicitly states: "You can upgrade your Cloud Pak for Data on Microsoft Azure environment by running the cpd-azure command-line utility." It then details the steps

which involve using the cpd-azure upgrade command.

2. IBM Cloud Pak for Data 4.8 Documentation

"Installing Cloud Pak for Data on Microsoft Azure". The installation guide introduces the cpd-azure command-line utility as the primary tool for managing the environment

reinforcing its role in the lifecycle

including upgrades. The document states

"The cpd-azure command-line utility uses Terraform and Ansible to provision and install Cloud Pak for Data on Microsoft Azure."