tftp using management interface on ws-c4500x-32 switch

[sdavids5670]

I'm trying to load a license file onto a WS-C4500X-32 switch by using tftp but I'm running into an issue.  The only IP address on the switch right now is associated with the Fa1 interface which is on a non-default vrf called mgmtVrf.  While I can ping my tftp server using the following command:

ping vrf mgmtVrf 172.19.30.96

Type escape sequence to abort.

Sending 5, 100-byte ICMP Echos to 172.19.30.96, timeout is 2 seconds:

!!!!!

Success rate is 100 percent (5/5), round-trip min/avg/max = 1/1/4 ms

I cannot communicate with the tftp server to retrieve the license file.  This command:

copy tftp://172.19.30.96/licensefile.lic bootflash:

Results in:

%Error opening tftp://172.19.30.96/licensefile.lic (Timed out)

Is there a way to get this switch to use the mgmtVrf for tftp or do I need to configure another L3 interface on this switch?

Here's the configuration of my Fa1 interface:

interface FastEthernet1

vrf forwarding mgmtVrf

ip address 172.21.2.30 255.255.255.0

speed auto

duplex auto

end

Here's my routing table:

HQ-4500X-SW1#show ip route vrf mgmtVrf

Routing Table: mgmtVrf
Codes: L - local, C - connected, S - static, R - RIP, M - mobile, B - BGP
       D - EIGRP, EX - EIGRP external, O - OSPF, IA - OSPF inter area
       N1 - OSPF NSSA external type 1, N2 - OSPF NSSA external type 2
       E1 - OSPF external type 1, E2 - OSPF external type 2
       i - IS-IS, su - IS-IS summary, L1 - IS-IS level-1, L2 - IS-IS level-2
       ia - IS-IS inter area, * - candidate default, U - per-user static route
       o - ODR, P - periodic downloaded static route, H - NHRP, l - LISP
       + - replicated route, % - next hop override

Gateway of last resort is 172.21.2.1 to network 0.0.0.0

S*    0.0.0.0/0 [1/0] via 172.21.2.1
      172.21.0.0/16 is variably subnetted, 2 subnets, 2 masks
C        172.21.2.0/24 is directly connected, FastEthernet1
L        172.21.2.30/32 is directly connected, FastEthernet1

And here's a traceroute to the tftp server just to prove that I'm not making this up:

HQ-4500X-SW1#traceroute vrf mgmtVrf 172.19.30.96

Type escape sequence to abort.

Tracing the route to 172.19.30.96

VRF info: (vrf in name/id, vrf out name/id)

  1 172.21.2.1 0 msec 0 msec 4 msec

  2 172.21.1.17 0 msec 0 msec 0 msec

  3 172.21.1.34 0 msec

    172.21.1.30 0 msec 0 msec

  4 172.19.30.96 0 msec 0 msec *

Regards,

Steven

[Sandeep Choudhary]

Hi,

Try the following:

1- Make sure the TFTP is pinging

2- Try using TFTPD32 software for TFTP

3- Check if there is any firewall issue or tftp application on the computer

4- Make sure your TFTP server is turned on.

5- Check the file extension, If possbile copy the exact file extension from TFTP server file .

Regards

Hope it helps.

[sdavids5670]

The tftp server I'm using is working.  I use it just about every day.  It works with all of the other switches/routers in my environment.  I definitely think this has to do with the management vrf that the 4500X is using.  Unless I can tell the switch to use the mgmtVrf VRF for tftp I don't think this is going to work.  I think it's just not connecting because it doesn't have an interface in the default vrf.  When I fire up packet capture on my tftp server I never see packets from the switch. 

[Rolf Fischer · Accepted solution]

Hi Steven,

have  you tried to set Fa1 as the TFTP source interface:

(config)# ip tftp source-interface FastEthernet1

HTH

Rolf

[sdavids5670]

OMG (hangs head in shame)!   I was looking for something like that but I can't believe I didn't try that.  Works like a champ.  Thanks!

[rarae]

I am having the exact same issue but that command did not work for me.

[rarae]

For anyone who is still experiencing an issue:

The solution that worked for me was adding " vrf mgmtVrf" to the end of the tftp command. This requires you to do everything in one line: #copy tftp://<URL> bootflash: vrf mgmtVrf

Hope this is helpful!

[ys173p]

I have the same problem and this command doesn't work on IOS XE , do you know how to use VRF in copy command in IOS XE?

Thanks