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Cisco 3850: IOS-XE/Firmware Upgrade
(Install Mode)
NOTE:
- This procedure is aimed at Cisco 3850 switch ONLY.
- IOS-XE Bundle Mode is not covered.
- 9300, 9500 (vanilla & high-performance), ISR 1k, ISR 4k and ASR is not covered.
- Router(s) & switch(es) running “classic” IOS is not covered.
A Word from our Sponsors:
There is a very fine line between writing something short-and-sweet and writing something comprehensive while losing the target “market” in the process. I have done all I can to make this document as “digestible” as possible without losing much of the important content but still maintaining some forward momentum.
Introduction:
Switch and/or router firmware had (past tense) a simple procedure, however, for IOS-XE each platform has different commands, process & procedures, and “gotchas”. Because of this, I have broken up the process into different sections: 9300, 9500 & routers.
Section 1: General Procedure
Section 2: Install SMU
Section 3: GOTCHA
Section 4: Emergency-Install
Section 1: General Procedure
- Read the Release Notes very carefully.
- IOS-XE firmware and SMU files have a filename extension of “bin”.
- Clean the flash: install remove inactive
NOTE: Switch/stack on IOS-XE version 3.X.X, uses a different command:
software clean force
- Copy the file into the switch/stack.
- Make sure the boot-variable string is pointing to “packages.conf” file.
- Initiate Install Mode (Non-Disruptive/Do NOT Reboot
request platform software package install switch all file flash:filename.bin on-reboot new auto-copy verbose
NOTE: If upgrading from 3.X.X, the command is different:
software install file flash: filename.bin new force verb on-reboot
IMPORTANT:
- If the file extraction is successful (or not), the last two lines will display the result.
- Go to the GOTCHA section if the following (image below) appears:
- Inspect the contents “packages.conf” file. Is this the intended version or not? If NO, go to the GOTCHA section. Command: more flash:packages.conf | begin for NOVA
IMPORTANT:
- If the switches are in a stack, inspect the “packages.conf” of each switch stack member.
more flash-1:packages.conf | begin for NOVA
more flash-2:packages.conf | begin for NOVA
more flash-3:packages.conf | begin for NOVA
...
more flash-8:packages.conf | begin for NOVA
- If the switch is standalone, the command is:
more flash:packages.conf | begin for NOVA
- REBOOT the switch/stack.
- [RECOMMENDED][OPTIONAL] Clean the flash: install remove inactive
- DONE.
Section 2: Install SMU
Software Maintenance Update (aka “patch”)
WARNING:
- Only routers and switches running IOS-XE support SMU.
- Router(s) & switch(es) running “classic” IOS do not support SMU.
- IMPORTANT: Always treat SMU update as disruptive (reboots the switch/stack).
- IMPORTANT: SMU file is platform-specific.
- IMPORTANT: SMU file is version-specific.
Image (above): Sample SMU filename
Image (above): Attempting to install an SMU meant for a different version.
Proceedure
- Read the Release Notes very carefully.
- SMU firmware have a filename extension of “bin”.
- Copy the SMU file into the switch.
- Install the SMU:
install add file flash:SMU_filename.bin activate commit
WARNING: Immediately after entering “y” may/will cause the router &/or switch to reboot.
- Verify the SMU has been successfully installed.
- Fast Method: sh version | begin Active SMU
- Slow Method: sh install summary
- DONE.
Section 3: GOTCHA
- If the message (image below) appears at the end of the package extraction process THIS IS NOT A FALSE POSITIVE.
- Check the contents of the flash/bootflash and compare the date stamp of the extracted packages against the date stamp of the “packages.conf” file (see image below).
- Look in the flash/bootflash directory for two (2) files with an extension of “conf”. (Image below)
- First, rename “packages.conf” to, say, “packages.conf.bak”.
- Next, rename the firmware.conf to “packages.conf” (see below).
- Check the contents of the new “packages.conf” file. Is this the target version?
- Inspect the contents of each “packages.conf” file of every member of the stack.
- Make sure the boot-variable string is pointing to the “packages.conf” file.
- DONE.
Section 4: Emergency-Install
WARNING: Emergency-Install command will erase the flash/bootflash of the appliance.
(Make sure the config is stored somewhere else.)
- Emergency-Install is to be used when the switch boots into ROMMON.
- The “emergency-install” command can only be used in ROMMON.
- Emergency-Install process can only be effectively achieved by using a USB thumb drive.
Image above shows failed “emergency-install” because the firmware is in the flash.
WARNING: Emergency-Install command will erase the flash/bootflash of the appliance.
- Command: emergency-install usbflash0:filename.bin
- DONE.
