Cisco Nexus 5672 upgrade is timing out from 7.1.0 to 7.1.5

[ubim3t1infr@ubimet.com]

Hi there,

I have a pair of Cisco Nexus 5672 switches and I wanted to upgrade them yesterday from 7.1.0.N1.1b to 7.1.5.N1.1b.

One switch was working without any issues, but on the other, it wasn't working.

This switch took already extremely long to boot and to copy the images from USB to bootflash.

A way longer than the other switch. Same for checking MD5 sum of the images.

The upgrade then timed out after around 30 minutes with this error:

switch1# install all kickstart n6000-uk9-kickstart.7.1.5.N1.1b.bin system n6000-uk9.7.1.5.N1.1b.bin

Verifying image bootflash:/n6000-uk9-kickstart.7.1.5.N1.1b.bin for boot variable "kickstart".
[####################] 100% -- SUCCESS

Verifying image bootflash:/n6000-uk9.7.1.5.N1.1b.bin for boot variable "system".
[####################] 100% -- SUCCESS

Verifying image type.
[###########         ]  50% -- FAIL. Return code 0x40820011 (Job timedout).
Pre-upgrade check failed. Return code 0x40930052 (failed to check if the image is plugin based).
Unable to send exit to installer. Return code -1

After searching a bit, I have found this bug: CSCvd63357 , but there is no resolution, nor a workaround mentioned.

What can I do to upgrade to a later version, where this bug is hopefully fixed?

Or do I need to replace this switch, because bootflash is broken? The switch itself is working fine, no errors on log nor while booting...

Best regards,

Florian

[Sergiu.Daniluk · Accepted solution]

Hi ubim3t1infr@ubimet.com 

This is from the bug details:

Workaround: Upgrade can be completed by changing boot variables and reload. If an install upgrade is required, the switch will need to be replaced. Contact Cisco TAC to obtain an RMA

So try this: first try doing the upgrade by simply changing the boot variables + reload.

If it doesn't fix the issue, RMA will be needed.

Take care,

Sergiu

[ubim3t1infr@ubimet.com]

Hi Sergiu,

oh man, I wasn't logged in yesterday while reading this bug report and I think, that's why I was missing the workaround.

Thank you very much for your reply!

Now my question would be:

When do I need a "install upgrade"?

I thought for nexus switches, you always have to do this kind of upgrade?

Best regards,

Florian

[ubim3t1infr@ubimet.com]

Hi again,

I was able to upgrade to 7.3.8.N1.1 now with setting the boot images.

7.1.5.N1.1b was only an intermediate version to be able to upgrade to 7.3.8.N1.1.

The switch is working, but still the boot flash is horrible slow and

show install all impact kickstart bootflash:n6000-uk9-kickstart.7.3.8.N1.1.bin system bootflash:n6000-uk9.7.3.8.N1.1.bin

is still failing with the new version.

I think, the only thing, which is missing now, would be a BIOS upgrade.

BIOS is now still on old version: 

• BIOS: version 2.1.1

Where as the upgraded switch with the installation method has the version:

• BIOS: version 2.1.7

This is now the only difference between those 2 switches.

Is this ok? The case said, that I can get an RMA, but I don't know, if this is necessary or not.

Best regards

Florian