01-31-2024 11:30 PM
Hello Cisco team,
We have a switch WS-C3850-12XS (SN: FOC2119U1W4) running with FW 03.07.04E .I have found in download section the newest version is 16.12.10a. Can I go straight forward to this newest version, or can you recommend me the steps to step by step upgrade (like >>>16.2 >>> 16.3.5 >>> 16.5.1 >>>16.12) thank you
02-01-2024 12:33 AM - edited 02-01-2024 12:35 AM
Release Notes for Cisco Catalyst 3850 Series Switches, Cisco IOS XE Gibraltar 16.12.x - Cisco
Check section :
Solved: Re: Upgrade path from 3.6.5E to 16.12.5b for C3850 - Cisco Community
02-01-2024 01:20 AM
aa super thank you ... so I know now the direct upgrade is possible ...
there is "Avoid 16.12.X because it is very buggy. "
Does anybody has a bad experience with newest Gibraltar-16.12.10a ?? This FW is super new 10/2023 @Leo Laohoo your thoughts please??? thank you so much
02-01-2024 11:28 PM
What the reason for the software upgrade?
I ask this question because IOS-XE 3.X.X is far more stable than any 16.X.X release.
02-01-2024 11:37 PM
Hello Leo,
reason is that switches in our factory are quite long without any updates (this 3850 with 3.07.04E 25-May-2016) so IT security team/Auditors may/will say you need to keep SW/FW up-to-date
For example see prepared list: // what is your recommend? Thank you
Model | SW version | new SW ver |
WS-C3850-12XS | 03.07.04E | 16.6.9 > 16.12.10a |
WS-C2960S-24TS-L | 12.2(55)SE3 | 12.2.55-SE13 > 15.2.2E9 |
WS-C2960S-48TS-S | 12.2(55)SE3 | 12.2.55-SE13 > 15.2.2E9 |
WS-C2960S-48TS-S | 12.2(55)SE3 | 12.2.55-SE13 > 15.2.2E9 |
WS-C2960S-48TS-S | 12.2(55)SE3 | |
SRW224G4-K9 V02 | 1.4.9.4 | 1.4.11.5 |
SRW224G4-K9 V02 | 1.4.9.4 | 1.4.11.5 |
WS-C2960-24TC-S | 15.0(2)SE11 | |
SRW224G4-K9 V01 | 1.4.9.4 | 1.4.11.5 |
WS-C2960-24TC-S | 15.0(2)SE11 | |
WS-C2960-24TC-S | 15.0(2)SE11 | |
WS-C2960-24TC-S | 15.0(2)SE11 | |
SRW224G4-K9 V01 | 1.4.9.4 | 1.4.11.5 |
WS-C2960-24TC-S | 15.0(2)SE11 | |
WS-C2960-24TC-S | 15.0(2)SE11 | |
WS-C2960-24TC-S | 15.0(2)SE11 | |
WS-C3560CX-12PC-S | 15.2(3)E2 | 15.2(7)E9 |
02-03-2024 05:03 PM - edited 02-04-2024 04:08 PM
@TomasLacko wrote:
reason is that switches in our factory are quite long without any updates
Answer this question: Is the factory willing to accept a 6-minute outage every, say, 6 months/
My fleet of 3850 runs on 3.6.X/3.7.X and 16.X.X. All our switches (functioning as a layer 2 switch) that are on 16.X.X need to be rebooted every 4 to 6 months because of memory leaks (see pictures below). All our switches on 3.6.X/3.7.X have an uptime of >5 years without any issues.
Picture above shows a memory utilization graph (control-plane) for the last 800 days. The switch (standone) is on 16.6.5 with an uptime of >3 years. This switch is on a standard "static" port, i. e. no Dot1X, and there is only one (1) wired client.
02-04-2024 10:03 PM
wow ... good reason to stay on 3.7.4 on our 3850 ... stability and reliability is definitely important, as we operate 24/7 ...
What about rest of switches from my table? upgrades on non of them are "big jump" to another version, so I would assume it should be okay ... or ??? Thank you
02-04-2024 11:09 PM
I can only comment on Catalyst switches. I have no experience with the SRW switches.
Other than the 3850, the rest are OK.
02-01-2024 01:28 AM
16.12.10a is the recommended on 3850.
02-01-2024 01:41 AM
Depends on your IOS installed now bundle or install mode ( check the below guide) moving forward suggest to go with install mode - refer below release notes and upgrade steps.
Always offload config out of box - switch required to reboot, so there will be small outage on the network devices connected to switch.
You can directly go to target version : always read release notes :
Note: anything IOS XE 16.9.X smart License requirement.
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