To avoid downtime risks during a network capacity upgrade, we should follow the below steps : 1. Detailed upgrade plane (MOP if necessary). 2. Optimal Timing: the upgrade should be in Low traffic period 3. Redundant Systems: Ensure backup link or bypass Node (TE ) is in place to keep the network operational if issues arise. 4. Stakeholder Communication: Inform NOC before starting the upgrade 5. Phased Implementation: Move into Action 6. Rollback Strategy: Prepare a plan to revert to the original configuration if significant issues occur. 7. Continuous Monitoring after the upgrade 8. Before proceeding, ensure that you have qualified technicians involved to support the Upgrade effectively.

Upgrading network capacity requires planning to minimize downtime risks: 1. Audit your existing infrastructure Identify bottlenecks & compatibility issues. Ensure licenses are ready before starting upgrades. 2. Implement Redundant Network Architecture Use LB's & set up high-availability configs. 3. Schedule Maintenance During Off-Hours. Ensure (SLAs). 4. Backup Critical Data & Configurations 5. Real-Time Monitoring, SolarWinds, Nagios, or Zabbix. 6. Set up alerts for packet loss, latency spikes or hardware malfunctions. 7. Test each segment after implementation. 8. Deploy Skilled Teams On-Site and Remotely. 9. Update network diagrams, config's, & operational guides. Follow these & you can significantly reduce downtime risks.

1. Planning is one of the most important steps. Carefully plan out the upgrade, what to do and how to do it. 2. Rollback Strategy is also important. If for some reason you can't continue to upgrade you need to be able to go back. 3. Redudancy is key. Having a backup connection or equipments is usually a good way to avoid downtime. 4. Phased Implementation. Don't rush it, step by step you will be able to test everything allong the way. 5. Careful monitoring after the upgrade is complete. Some problems may arise after the upgrade. 6. A good team is also key. Having the right persons by your side is fundamental to do something like this. "Two heads are better than one."

I would mitigate downtime risks during a network capacity upgrade by implementing a robust plan that includes scheduling upgrades during low-usage periods, thorough pre-upgrade testing, having a rollback strategy, and ensuring proper backup systems are in place.

To mitigate downtime during a network capacity upgrade, start with detailed planning and risk assessment. Implement redundancy with failover mechanisms and load balancers to ensure critical services remain online. Schedule upgrades during low-traffic periods and communicate plans to stakeholders. Test changes in a staging environment and deploy incrementally to minimize disruption. Back up configurations and monitor the network in real time for anomalies. Engage a dedicated support team for quick issue resolution and validate the network post-upgrade. These steps ensure a smooth upgrade process with minimal impact on operations.