Can I tftp boot a 6500?

[GREGORY GEE]

I am having some difficulty getting my 6500 to read the disk0: during bootup. It can see it after the IOS is running, but can't see it during boot. I assume this is a rommon/bootflash version problem.

So I was wondering if I could use the 'boot system tftp' command on a 6500 running all IOS? What are the requirements to get this to work?

And if anyone knows the answer to my disk0: problem or how to upgrade the bootstrap/rommon, that would be appreciated as well.

Thanks,

Greg

[pflunkert · Accepted solution]

Hi Greg,

if you want use Disk0: you must have a minimum ROMMON Version. The ROMMON software test at the start the hardware, so that you can use this.

URL:http://www.cisco.com/en/US/partner/products/hw/switches/ps700/prod_release_note09186a008007f706.html

.... Supervisor Engine 2 ROMMON software release 7.1(1) introduces support for the MEM-C6K-ATA-1-64M= (64MB) PCMCIA ATA FlashDisk device..........

Regards

Peter

[GREGORY GEE]

Thanks for the tip. After upgrading the SP ROMMON using this page ...

http://www.cisco.com/en/US/products/hw/switches/ps708/prod_release_note09186a008007f706.html

... I also decided to upgrade the RP ROMMON as well.

http://www.cisco.com/en/US/products/hw/switches/ps700/prod_release_note09186a008007f709.html

Looking at the release notes, upgrading these gave me support for both ATA disks and TFTP boot. Since I got my ATA disk working, I don't need to use tftp boot now.

Thanks,

Greg

[robho]

I don't see it in the documentation where it says that it is supported but take a second look at the size of the IOS image. Relying on tftp after a power outage to transfer such a large image is not a good idea. It would take too much time to boot. So, I suggest not to even try.

RH

[robho]

I don't see it in the documentation where it says that it is supported but take a second look at the size of the IOS image. Relying on tftp after a power outage to transfer such a large image is not a good idea. It would take too much time to boot. So, I suggest not to even try.

http://www.cisco.com/univercd/cc/td/doc/product/lan/cat6000/122sx/swcg/supcfg.htm#wp1022904

RH