Re: IE-3300 not loading startup-config from SD-flash - Page 2

andreas.dahlberg · ‎09-03-2024

We have a number of IE2k, IE4k and IE3x00 switches installed on our production sites.

One of the benefits are easy replacement of faulty switches by operations personnel, without networking knowledge, by moving SD-flash card to the new switch.

During a panic upgrade from 17.3.x to 17.12.x on a handful of our IE-3300 switches (due to a PROFINET/MRP-Ring bug), all of the switches got stuck in a boot loop. They loaded 17.12, upgraded bootloader and then restarted but could not load 17.12 and started loading 17.3 image instead, causing a bootloader downgrade, rinse and repeat.

When we did a hard reset, they booted up the new IOS image, but could not find any startup config. This triggered a restore from SD-flash, but it never recovered and instead froze up in this state:

Autoinstall: No start-up config. Triggering swap drive
Bootable image ie3x00-universalk9.17.12.04.SPA.bin and config found in sdflash:
Restore in progress...

Building configuration...
[OK]
Setting boot variable - Install

After another hard reset, the switch booted up, but with factory default startup config.

After some research, digging into the release notes, we looked at this :

I did some troubleshooting on two new switches, swapping SD-cards, but could not get any of the switches to boot from the config on the SD-card. In version 17.12.x there isn't even an option to sync from SD-flash to onboard flash which there is on at least 17.9.x.

Is there no more easy replacement just swapping SD-card on this platform? Or, which i hope, i've done some configuration error. Anyone with ideas? Experienced the same?

cakwok · ‎02-07-2025

Hi,

Below are the steps for swapping drives in IOS XE after version 17.10. There is a change in behavior and commands, but the outcome of the swap drive would work as before. Hope this helps.

After version 17.10, by default, a switch reads the configuration from flash. There is no command to change this behavior; however, when there is no configuration in flash, the switch will look for one in sdflash. When it finds one, it copies the configuration and image from sdflash to flash and boot from flash. This is an automated process.

Therefore, there is no need for a sync command from sdflash to flash. The sync command now only has "sync sdflash:" available, which is used when the configuration and images need to be synced from another switch.

Both install mode and bundle mode work. The prerequisite is that the flash has enough space when an new image is needed during upgrade when a switch copies it from sdflash to flash in the automated process.

lacemi · ‎02-10-2025

@cakwok

Preiusly, in this conversation thread, you can see all the tests I conducted. I think you are completely WRONG, I think always have standar configuracion, because new SW have a .pkg ( ios ), it is intall and there are packages.conf and nvram_Config in flash and never used sdflash. Maybe "we can deleted all flash after but I don know it it is necessary". However I´m going to run the following test. (MODE INSTALL) On CISCO IE3300 switches running IOS XE 17.12.4, when inserting an SD card synchronized from another switch with the same version, the sw does not find startup-config.
Even though packages.conf and nvram.config are present on the SD-CARD, the sw does not automatically generate previous startup-config in vram, instead, it looks for startup-config in flash. Since it is not found there, the sw boots without a configuration.
A solution is needed to ensure that the sw fully load the configuration from the sd card automatilly without manual intervention.
A new test on CISCO IE3300 sw running IOS XE 17.12.4
1.Synchronize the SD card on a funntional Sw. 2.Take a brand-new sw out the box. 3. Insert the SD card into the new sw and power it on. 4. Verify if the boot process works correctly.
I am going to test again becasue the sw I previusly tested came from the factory in Bundle mode, but I have now opened a new batch that comes preconfigured in install mode.
So, I will conduct the test with 2 brand-new, unopned sw to check if the behavior is different. This is to rule out the possibility that converting then from bundle mode to installa mode ourselves might have left behind some residual files affecting their behaviour. I will post the results to see if you are correct.
But I think always have standar configuracion, because new SW have a ios, it is intall and there are packages.conf and nvram_Config in flash and never used sdflash maybe we can deleted all flash.

@andreas.dahlberg
Preiusly, in this conversation thread, you can see all the tests I conducted, wich include what you are asking about.
There was no way for the switch to load the configuration from the SD. it doesn´t interpret the nvram.config file, and therefore, it creates a new running-config from scratch. I ask myself the same question as you:Does CISCO not provide a solution to this issue?

Leo Laohoo · ‎02-10-2025

@lacemi wrote:
but I have now opened a new batch that comes preconfigured in install mode.

How "new"?

FN74245 - Cisco Catalyst IE3200, IE3300, IE3400, and IE3400H Switches and Cisco Embedded Services 3300 Series Switches Fail to Boot Cisco IOS XE Version 17.9.4 and 17.9.5

lacemi · ‎02-11-2025

In new tests - IT´s WORKS WELL !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Yes, mi test SW have this bug:
https://www.cisco.com/c/en/us/support/docs/field-notices/742/fn74245.html
and it originally came in Bundle mode but I installed the new IOS 17.12.4 and sw it to install Mode. However, for some reason, it doesn´t seem to be working properly.
Alright, I ran the new tests I mentioned on the newly received switches. Those news SW have a 17.12.4 and they are in install mode.
@cakwok IS RIGHT, on the new SW taken out of the box and placed directly on the table, I insert the SD card from SW_1 (hostname SW_1) IE3300 previously configure into it:

1.-

2.-

3.-

4.-

5.-
SW_1#
It is the name of the other SW_1 previosly configured, It´s WORKS WELL!!! @cakwok IS RIGHT.

All my previous tests must have failed because I did this and many others tests due to the fact that the sw that came from CISCO has some kind os issue, apart from the described bugs ... since it was updated to the same IOS that these new test units come with.

But now I have a question. If I want to reuse a sw, which files should I delete ? maybe packages.conf and nvram_config? or all .pgk from the flash? or ...? so that It boots from SDflash as if It were a brand-new switch? Since I ran these tests on the defective CISCO, I dont think they are valid. Before making any further change, does anyone have experience with this?

cakwok · ‎02-11-2025

Hi lacemi,

Happy to know it went well. If you would like to reuse a sw, you can perform a "wr erase". I usually also clear boot variable (if there is any), by "no boot system".

By just writing erase, the switch will look for a config and image from sdflash. New images will be loaded when this process is triggered, so you can also perform a version change at the same time. However, if there is an image change and there is not enough spaces in flash for the copy process, the swap drive would fail. Therefore, you may also need to clear spaces in flash by the "request platform software package clean file flash:" command if you are using install mode.

lacemi · ‎02-12-2025

@cakwok yes it´s fine.
I´m publishing the new test in the Community for the benefit of everyone, so they can verify that it actually works correctly.
Before erase:

WR ERASE:

After nvram, sdram and flash, have the same files include startup-config in nvram, all same files, nothing changes.
Show boot you dont read "no boot system":

HARD RESET SWITCH.

But the process works and boots from sdflash, loading the new configuration.
Loadind SDFLASH:

Failed to initialize nvram:

Triggering swap drive:

Restarting system by soft Reset (auto process)
Loading flash:

And finish Switch started with SDConfiguration:
#SW_1
With this method, you can reuse the switches by booting from the SD CARD and SD CARDS is a nice backup system.
I recommend no forgoten creating a policy list with a kron job to synchronize against the SD Flash. (sync sdflash:)

If you used a factory reset hole you also need to run "wr erase"

If this has been helpful to you, dont forget to mark "HELPFUL" on @cakwok posts and these posts labs
If it has helped you, dont forget to subscribe to the channel :X

Leo Laohoo · ‎02-12-2025

If the SD-Flash is going to be used to boot the firmware in an emergency, then the SD-Flash, ideally, should also include the BIN file.

After the switch has booted the firmware, copy the BIN file into the flash, initiate Install Mode and change the boot variable string before a reboot.

lacemi · ‎02-19-2025

End.