C4500X Rommon upgrade query

pwiscott · ‎05-13-2019

Hi ,

Just a quick question ...We have a pair of 4500X's running in VSS mode on version 3.6.6, to upgrade i konw I need to go to say 3.7.x and then to 3.8.x, however we need a rommon upgrade first.

The rommon file is "firmwareupgradeallK10-150_1r_SG15.SPA" but the documentation refers to "cat4500-e-ios-promupgrade-150-1r-SG2" .

What is the correct command to use ?

boot system flash bootflash:cat4500-e-ios-promupgrade-150-1r-SG2

or

boot system flash bootflash:firmwareupgradeallK10-150_1r_SG15.SPA

Confused I am.

Leo Laohoo · ‎05-13-2019

@pwiscott wrote:

The rommon file is "firmwareupgradeallK10-150_1r_SG15.SPA" but the documentation refers to "cat4500-e-ios-promupgrade-150-1r-SG2"

(Cisco's quality control ... *sigh*.)

The "latest" ROMmon for the 4500X is "firmwareupgradeallK10-150_1r_SG15.SPA".

So here's the correct method of upgrading the IOS and ROMmon of a 4500X in just ONE REBOOT:

1. Copy the IOS into the bootflash of the appliance.

2. Copy the ROMmon (filename: firmwareupgradeallK10-150_1r_SG15.SPA) into the bootflash of the appliance.

3. Change the boot variable string:

no boot system flash bootflash:OLD_IOS.bin
boot system flash bootflash:firmwareupgradeallK10-150_1r_SG15.SPA
boot system flash bootflash:NEW_IOS.bin
boot system flash bootflash:OLD_IOS.bin

4. IMPORTANT: Make sure the config-registry is correct: 0x2102

5. Save the config

[OPTIONAL] Export the config to a remote server.

6. Reboot

NOTE: ROMmon upgrade may take up to about 25 minutes.

Hope this helps.

ChristopherTan7 · ‎02-22-2021

Hi Leo,

Thanks for sharing the steps which i am looking for as i am upgrading our current 4507 switch (WS-X45-SUP7L-E) Rommon and IOS from

ROMMON - 15.0(1r)SG10 -> SG15

IOS - SPA.03.04.02.SG.151-2.SG2 -> 03.11.03a.E

May i know under the steps you shared for updating the boot variable string:-

(why must the OLD IOS be added again to the boot system flash after removing it in the first step?)

no boot system flash bootflash:OLD_IOS.bin
boot system flash bootflash:firmwareupgradeallK10-150_1r_SG15.SPA
boot system flash bootflash:NEW_IOS.bin
boot system flash bootflash:OLD_IOS.bin  (why must the OLD IOS be added again to the boot system flash after removing it in the first step?)

kindly advise thank you

Leo Laohoo · ‎02-22-2021

@ChristopherTan7 wrote:

why must the OLD IOS be added again to the boot system flash after removing it in the first step?

Short Answer: To prevent anyone from getting their a$$ fired.

Long Answer: IF (and only if) the NEW IOS fails to boot, the system will attempt to boot the 2nd firmware, which happens to be the old IOS.

ChristopherTan7 · ‎02-22-2021

Hi Leo,

i see and thanks for your speedy response! i think it is extremely important for step 4 then!

Would you have any idea if i can do a direct upgrade of IOS from 03.04.02.SG to 03.11.03a.E?

I will also upgrade my ROMMON at the same time.

I had started a post here about it - >https://community.cisco.com/t5/switching/4500x-ws-x45-sup7l-e-from-03-04-02-sg-to-03-11-03a-e-direct/m-p/4295763#M501122