06-30-2021 08:30 PM - edited 08-12-2021 04:28 PM
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.
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:
WARNING: Cisco IOS-XE routers strictly enforce the file location of “bootflash:”. If “bootflash:” is not used, the router will boot into ROMMON -- CSCvg37458.
request platform software package expand file bootflash:filename.bin force verbose
IMPORTANT:
more bootflash:packages.conf
request platform software package clean
IMPORTANT: When in doubt, upgrade the ROMMON.
WARNING: Do not reboot or kill the power to the router while the packages are (still) being written.
NOTE:
NOTE: Make sure this sub-directory only contains these two files. (Delete previous files, if necessary.)
microcode reload cellular <PORT> <SLOT> modem-provision bootflash:/MODEM/
WARNING: The cellular firmware upgrade will take, approximately, 20 minutes.
Router# microcode reload cellular 0 2 modem-provision bootflash:/MODEM/
Reload microcode? [confirm]
Log status of firmware download in router flash?[confirm]
Firmware download status will be logged in bootflash:fwlogfile
Microcode Reload Process launched for cwan slot/bay =0/2; hw type=0x102download option = 0
Router#Success !! send FW Upgrade command to card
*****************************************************
The interface will be Shut Down for Firmware Upgrade
This will terminate any active data connections.
*****************************************************
**************************
Modem will be upgraded!
Upgrade process will take up to 15 minutes. During
this time the modem will be unusable.
Please do not remove power or reload the router during
the upgrade process.
***************************
*Jun 25 2021 11:31:33.499 AEST: %LINK-5-CHANGED: Interface Cellular0/2/0, changed state to administratively down
*Jun 25 2021 11:31:33.499 AEST: %LINK-5-CHANGED: Interface Cellular0/2/1, changed state to administratively down
----------------------------
FIRMWARE INFO BEFORE UPGRADE:
Modem Device ID: EM7430 MODEM F/W Boot Version: SWI9X30C_02.30.03.00
Modem F/W App Version: SWI9X30C_02.30.03.00 Modem SKU ID: 1102682
Modem Package Identifier:
Modem PRI Ver: 000.010 Modem Carrier Name: TELSTRA
Modem Carrier Revision: 002.044_000
----------------------------
FW_UPGRADE: Modem needs CWE, PRI
*Jun 25 2021 11:31:50.546 AEST: %IOSXE-3-PLATFORM: R0/0: ngiolite: WWAN modem Action:[remove] State[0]
FW_UPGRADE: Upgrade begin at Fri Jun 25 11:31:53 2021
FW_UPGRADE: Upgrade end at Fri Jun 25 11:33:08 2021
FW_UPGRADE: Firmware upgrade success.....
FW_UPGRADE: Waiting for modem to become online
*Jun 25 2021 11:33:35.445 AEST: %IOSXE-3-PLATFORM: R0/0: ngiolite: WWAN modem Action:[add] State[1]
----------------------------
FIRMWARE INFO AFTER UPGRADE:
Modem Device ID: EM7430 MODEM F/W Boot Version: SWI9X30C_02.33.03.00
Modem F/W App Version: SWI9X30C_02.33.03.00 Modem SKU ID: 1102682
Modem Package Identifier:
Modem PRI Ver: 000.010 Modem Carrier Name: TELSTRA
Modem Carrier Revision: 002.067_000
----------------------------
F/W Upgrade: Firmware Upgrade has Completed Successfully
This is definitely a keeper! I ran into the Gotcha identified in your article on three routers, 2 - 4331 and one - 4431. The renaming of the .conf files resolved my issue and all devices booted to the desired IOS version without issue.
I'm a beginner, ever after going through the whole procedure I'm stuck at various steps visa, is there any way, where the program can guide me where I went wrong?
@evaelfie we can't magically guess what you didn't understand!
Go through it step by step and make a note of your questions and then come back with very specific questions. Make sure you log everything you do (enable terminal logging before you start so you don't have to think about and don't lose anything). Provide actual commands you entered and actual responses you got to support your questions. If we see that info then we might be able to point out where you went wrong.
Hi Leo,
Really appreciate this guide , Would you say this is still the process you would use for upgrading ASR1001-HX from 16.9.6 to 17.12.5a?
We were also thinking we could go to gold standard 17.9.7f which is less of a jump and maybe presents less risk? Would you in your personal experience recommend that instead if we were trying to direct upgrade instead? Should say the device before only ever been upgraded use the ole bundle mode
Many Thanks,
Jake
Not sure if this helps but I've used this guide to upgrade from 3.16.9S to 17.06.05
thanks,
This is the process I would use (and recommend) when upgrading in Install Mode.
However, direct upgrade from 16.X.X to 17.12.5 not allowed. Firstly, the ROMMON needs to be upgraded. Next, for the coup-de-gras, it is not documented fact that when upgrading, from 17.3.X (and earlier), to 17.12.X (and later), it is recommended to do an initial upgrade to either 17.6.X or 17.9.X before upgrading to 17.12.X (and later). Failure to heed this warning will cause the router to go into a boot-crash-loop.
This information is not documented anywhere else: Cisco developers have kept this information hidden from Cisco TAC themselves.
In summary, do this:
1. Upgrade the ROMMON (do not reboot the router)
2. Upgrade the firmware to 17.6.X or 17.9.X (plus reboot) either in Bundle Mode or Install Mode
3. Finally, upgrade to 17.12.X in Install Mode.
@jake.stewart1 a few things to add ...
> We were also thinking we could go to gold standard 17.9.7f
Actually the older current gold star release is 17.9.5f but the latest in 17.9 train is 17.9.7a so if you decided to remain on 17.9 then I'd say you should be going for 17.9.7a.
BUT 17.9 is almost end of life so I would really not recommend that as your target:
https://www.cisco.com/c/en/us/products/collateral/ios-nx-os-software/ios-xe-17/ios-xe-17-9-x-eol.html
It's already passed the End of SW Maintenance Releases Date (March 30, 2025) so no more bug fix releases.
If you're going to upgrade then best to get onto a release that at least has some lifetime left in it like 17.12 (although even that doesn't have a lot of time left now as it will have maybe 3 more maintenance releases).
You should also review the advisories and field notices to make sure you are aware of the documented caveats and gotchas etc: https://software.cisco.com/download/advisories?fileName=asr1000-universalk9.17.12.05a.SPA.bin&mdfid=286288843
Like Leo says once the gap between releases gets too big multi-stage upgrades (usually around 3 reloads needed) become mandatory especially since there is a complex inter-relationship with the required firmware upgrades too which will only work on specific releases (not too high, not too low) and are also prerequisites for higher IOS. It's not only the ROMMONs, it's also the FPGAs, CPLDs and Hardware Programmable components which need doing. And note that some of the firmware updates require that the box must be power cycled - reload is not enough:
https://www.cisco.com/c/en/us/td/docs/routers/asr1000/fpga_upgrade/fpga-upgrade.html
You should budget around 1 hour per router when doing these upgrades to allow for the time each firmware upgrade takes and the reloads/power cycles.
Thanks All , appreciate the advice given . We have changes submitted to upgrade to 17.6 then to 17.12 with the necessary time for reloads and whatnot
Fingers crossed it goes as smoothly as we can hope
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