The correct and safest procedure for installing a BIG-IP software update involves using an inactive boot location. This preserves the currently running software on the active volume (HD1.1), allowing for a simple rollback if the upgrade encounters issues. The installation process requires installing the base TMOS image first, as a HotFix is a patch designed to modify that specific base version. After the base image is installed on the inactive volume (HD1.2), the HotFix is applied to the same volume. Finally, the administrator activates the newly prepared volume, which configures the system to boot from it upon the next restart.

A. A HotFix is a patch for a base image and cannot be installed before the base software it is intended to modify.

B. Installing a HotFix directly onto the active boot location is not a recommended best practice as it eliminates the immediate rollback capability.

D. A boot location must have software installed on it before it can be activated for the system to boot from it.

1. F5 Networks Knowledge Base, K84554955: Overview of BIG-IP system software installation.

Section: "Installation tasks"

Content: This document explicitly states, "When you install a new version of BIG-IP software, you must install the base ISO image for that version first, and then you can install a hotfix ISO image for that version." It also emphasizes the best practice: "F5 recommends that you perform the software installation on an inactive boot location."

2. F5 BIG-IP TMOS: Operations Guide, v16.1

Chapter: "BIG-IP Software and System Management"

Section: "Installing BIG-IP software"

Content: The guide details the procedure, showing that the user must first select an inactive volume, install the base software image, and then optionally install a point release or hotfix to that same volume before rebooting into it.

3. F5 Networks Knowledge Base, K34745165: Managing software images on the BIG-IP system.

Section: "Installing a software image to a new boot location"

Content: This article provides a step-by-step guide that confirms the sequence: select an inactive volume, install the desired software image (base), and then install any required hotfixes. The final step before rebooting is to change the default boot location, which corresponds to activation.