How to Downgrade new ACI Leaf without APIC

[hashimwajid1]

Hi 

we've to add new Leafs in Poduction Fabric (Spine and Leafs already in Production and runing old firmware). we've to downgrade new leafs before adding joining Fabric. is there any procedure to downgrade Leaf without APIC ? 

PS: Existing Leafs/APIC having old version so we've to downgrade new leaf

I'll higly appriciate if someone share the procedure.

Thanks

[joezersk]

There is a way to upgrade just the leaf from the CLI (i.e no APIC).  You will need a USB key with the version of ACI leaf firmware you want copied on it and you will need console access (as in directly connected to the console port or using some kind of terminal server). 

Check this link, in the section called "Converting a Replacement Standby Supervisor to ACI Boot Mode".  Ignore the title, the process is the same for your situation.   You need to get into the loader prompt and boot from the USB key, then copy over the firmware to the leaf (so you will always boot into this ACI version). 

https://www.cisco.com/c/en/us/td/docs/switches/datacenter/nexus9000/sw/7-x/upgrade/guide/b_Cisco_Nexus_9000_Series_NX-OS_Software_Upgrade_and_Downgrade_Guide_Release_7x/Converting_from_Cisco_NX_OS_to_ACI_Boot_Mode.html#task_98BB0E4534184691A0900B2D3D...