Modify release on Cisco switch 3650 without reload - install mode

[Antonio Esposto]

Good morning,

Actually i have a switch with Cisco release: cat3k_caa-universalk9.16.06.05 on install mode. I need to upgrade with release:16.06.08 but i can't reload the switch at the end of the process. Is it possible to postpone the reload of the device? 

If i click "no" at the end of the process, the packages.conf don't update:

SWITCH#install add file flash:cat3k_caa-universalk9.16.06.08.SPA.bin activate commit
install_add_activate_commit: START Fri Oct 23 11:03:33 CEST 2020
install_add_activate_commit: Adding PACKAGE

This operation requires a reload of the system. Do you want to proceed?
Please confirm you have changed boot config to flash:packages.conf [y/n]y

--- Starting initial file syncing ---
Info: Finished copying flash:cat3k_caa-universalk9.16.06.08.SPA.bin to the selected switch(es)
Finished initial file syncing

--- Starting Add ---
Performing Add on all members
[1] Add package(s) on switch 1
[1] Finished Add on switch 1
Checking status of Add on [1]
Add: Passed on [1]
Finished Add

install_add_activate_commit: Activating PACKAGE
Following packages shall be activated:
/flash/cat3k_caa-webui.16.06.08.SPA.pkg
/flash/cat3k_caa-srdriver.16.06.08.SPA.pkg
/flash/cat3k_caa-rpcore.16.06.08.SPA.pkg
/flash/cat3k_caa-rpbase.16.06.08.SPA.pkg
/flash/cat3k_caa-guestshell.16.06.08.SPA.pkg

This operation requires a reload of the system. Do you want to proceed? [y/n]n
FAILED: install_add_activate_commit /flash/cat3k_caa-webui.16.06.08.SPA.pkg /flash/cat3k_caa-srdriver.16.06.08.SPA.pkg /flash/cat3k_caa-rpcore.16.06.08.SPA.pkg /flash/cat3k_caa-rpbase.16.06.08.SPA.pkg /flash/cat3k_caa-guestshell.16.06.08.SPA.pkg: Cannot proceed activate because of user input

If I then try to reboot the switch, since the packages.conf has not updated, it will always start with the 16.6.5 release.

Thank you 

[Leo Laohoo]

Yes, it can be done but you'll need to use a different command: 

request platform software package expand switch all file flash:<FILENAME>.bin auto-copy on-reboot verbose

NOTE:  The "on-reboot" option is a bug by itself.  It is meant to be "no-reboot".  

[Antonio Esposto]

Thanks for answer Leo, the problem is that the option on-reboot isn't present:

switch#request platform software package expand switch all file flash flash:cat3k_caa-universalk9.16.06.08.SPA.bin auto-copy on-reboot verbose

request platform software package expand switch all file flash:cat3k_caa-universalk9.16.06.08.SPA.bin a
uto-copy on-reboot verbose
^
% Invalid input detected at '^' marker.

The option that i have are:

switch#$ file flash:cat3k_caa-universalk9.16.06.08.SPA.bin auto-copy ?
force Proceed despite warnings
overwrite Overwrite non-identical packages and unused package provisioning file
verbose Verbose output
wipe Wipe destination media content first
<cr>

or if i try to do the command without on-reboot:

switch#request platform software package expand switch all file flash:cat3k_caa-universalk9.16.06.08.SPA.bin auto-copy

[1]: Expanding file
[1]: Verifying parameters
[1]: Expanding superpackage flash:cat3k_caa-universalk9.16.06.08.SPA.bin
[1]: Validating package type
[1]: Note: Source file /flash/cat3k_caa-universalk9.16.06.08.SPA.bin will be removed automatically after completion.
[1]: Verifying package signatures
[1]: Signature verified on package cat3k_caa-guestshell.16.06.08.SPA.pkg
[1]: Signature verified on package cat3k_caa-rpcore.16.06.08.SPA.pkg
[1]: Signature verified on package cat3k_caa-webui.16.06.08.SPA.pkg
[1]: Signature verified on package cat3k_caa-srdriver.16.06.08.SPA.pkg
[1]: Signature verified on package cat3k_caa-rpbase.16.06.08.SPA.pkg
[1]: Copying package files
[1]: WARNING: A different version of provisioning file packages.conf already exists in flash:
[1]: WARNING: The provisioning file from the expanded bundle will be saved as
[1]: WARNING: flash:cat3k_caa-universalk9.16.06.08.SPA.conf
[1]: SUCCESS: Finished expanding all-in-one software package.
[1]: Finished expanding all-in-one software package in switch 1
SUCCESS: Finished expanding all-in-one software package.

but the packages.conf is still:

iso rp 0 0 rp_base cat3k_caa-rpbase.16.06.05.SPA.pkg
iso rp 0 0 rp_core cat3k_caa-rpcore.16.06.05.SPA.pkg
iso rp 0 0 rp_daemons cat3k_caa-rpcore.16.06.05.SPA.pkg
iso rp 0 0 rp_iosd cat3k_caa-rpcore.16.06.05.SPA.pkg
iso rp 0 0 rp_webui cat3k_caa-webui.16.06.05.SPA.pkg
iso rp 0 0 srdriver cat3k_caa-srdriver.16.06.05.SPA.pkg
iso rp 0 0 rp_security cat3k_caa-rpcore.16.06.05.SPA.pkg
iso rp 0 0 guestshell cat3k_caa-guestshell.16.06.05.SPA.pkg

iso fp 0 0 fp cat3k_caa-rpcore.16.06.05.SPA.pkg

and if i try to reload the device, i see that the release is 16.06.05

The software install in the switch is only 16.6.5:

switch##show install summary
[ Switch 1 ] Installed Package(s) Information:
State (St): I - Inactive, U - Activated & Uncommitted,
C - Activated & Committed, D - Deactivated & Uncommitted
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Type St Filename/Version
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
IMG C 16.6.5.0

Thank you so mutch! 

[Leo Laohoo · Accepted solution]

Do the following: 

rename flash:packages.conf flash:packages.conf.00-
rename flash:cat3k_caa-universalk9.16.06.08.SPA.conf flash:packages.conf

Verify the contents of the "packages.conf" file to make sure it is meant for 16.6.8. 

Make sure the boot variable string is pointing to the "packages.conf" file. 

Perform a COLD REBOOT (pull the power cable). 

Check if you need to install the SMU.

After the switch boots up to the new firmware, do not forget to clean up the flash.