How to erase Cisco StackWise Virtual with Catalyst 9500

[Ciro G Mele]

HI team,

Can you help me with this issue? I have two sw 9500 24-port in stackwise. 
How can I reset them to factory settings by erasing the stackwise without losing the iOS of each one?
Will they go to different, separate locations, without being in stackwise.

Thanks a lot.
Best regards.
Ciro G. Mele.

[M02@rt37]

Hello @Ciro G Mele 

Run no switch virtual on the active switch to remove the stack configuraton _ both units will reload.

After that, on each switch individualy enter write erase command and delete flash:vlan.dat in order to clear all setings and VLAN data !

Last relaod for last check !

[Ciro G Mele]

Hi M02@rt37 

Stackwise is a specific, advanced type of stacking technology from Cisco. A "stack" is a general term for a group of switches.

This Cat9500 are using stackwise.

These are new models of Cat 9500, if I run write erase it erases the IOS and that is not the plan.

Best regards.

Ciro G.Mele

[M02@rt37]

See here

https://www.cisco.com/c/en/us/td/docs/switches/lan/catalyst9500/software/release/17-11/configuration_guide/sys_mgmt/b_1711_sys_mgmt_9500_cg/simplified_factory_reset.html#id_131497

[Ciro G Mele]

Hi again,

This command
Device# factory-reset all

all : Erases all the content from the NVRAM, all the Cisco IOS images, including the current boot image, boot variables, startup 
and running configuration data, and user data.

I want to keep iOS on both devices.

Thansks.

Best regards.

Ciro G. Mele.

[Ciro G Mele]

Hi again M02@rt37 

According to that link, using any of the factory reset options will erase iOS, which isn't the plan. To keep iOS on both 9500s, would this be the correct option?

1. Enter the 9500's stackwise active

2. No switch 2 provisioning, or is there something else?

3. Even if it's stackwise, it erases the switch on standby...?

4. Disarm the stack when rebooting...? Could it enter standby if so?

6. Does the pnpa service reset command work on the 9500s? Remember?

7. Or would it be better to disarm the stackwise...

Thanks for you help.

Best Regards.

Ciro G. Mele.

[Jens Albrecht]

Hello @Ciro G Mele,

the process to disable StackWise Virtual is pretty straight forward:

1. Dissociate the corresponding interface(s) from StackWise Virtual DAD
   

   Device(config-if)# no stackwise-virtual dual-active-detection​

2. Dissociates the corresponding interface(s) from SVL
   

   Device(config-if)# no stackwise-virtual link 1​

3. Disables StackWise Virtual configuration
   

   Device(config)# no stackwise-virtual​

4. Save the changes and reload the devices
   

   Device# write memory
   Device# reload​

The details can be found at the 'Disabling Cisco StackWise Virtual' section of the High Availability Configuration Guide, Cisco IOS XE Cupertino 17.9.x (Catalyst 9500 Switches).

Once the reload is done, you can use the following command to remove any remaining configuration or Vlan information if necessary:

factory-reset config

This command can only be used after StackWise Virtual has been disabled.

HTH!

[Ciro G Mele]

Hi @Jens Albrecht 

Thanks for your response.

I should do this with the stack cables disconnected and accessing each Cat 9500 individually through the console. Is that correct?

I need to keep it running the IOS Xe it has.

Does typing that command 

factory-reset config

delete the iOS from the switch?

Or type pnpa service reset is the same ?

Thanks a lot.

Best regards.

Ciro G. Mele.

[Ciro G Mele]

Hi @Jens Albrecht ,

Thank a lot for your help.

Best regards.

Ciro Gustavo Mele.

[Leo Laohoo]

Use the command "factor-reset ALL". 

This will erase everything in the flash including the firmware which can easily be put back in using the command "emergency-install usbflash0:filename.bin". 

he main reason why I recommend using the "ALL" option is because this option will clean out nearly everything.  It will not only clean out different locations/folders/sub-directories which are "off limits" but it will restore/reset some internal database, including installation database.

[Ciro G Mele]

Hi @Leo Laohoo 

I need the iOS on the cat9500 to remain the same and not be erased.

What command can I use to achieve this when I restart the deviice erasing the loaded configuration?

Thanks .

Best regards.

Ciro G. Mele.

[Leo Laohoo]

Then use "factory-reset config".

[Ciro G Mele]

Hi @Leo Laohoo 

Is it the same as using write erase or is it better to use factory-reset config...

Thanks a lot.

Best regards.

Ciro G.Mele.

[Leo Laohoo]

The command "write erase" will work, however, the command "factory-reset config" may do other things other than just erasing the config.  

Personally, if I deal with classic IOS, I would use "write erase".  When I deal with IOS-XE, I always use "factory-reset all".

[Ciro G Mele]

Hi, @Leo Laohoo 

hanks for your response.

So with this command "factory-reset all". you keep the iOS on the cat9500 and only delete the loaded configuration, is correct?

Thanks.

Best regards.

Ciro G. Mele.