IOS Upgrade "sh version running"

Michael Bartholomæussen · ‎10-13-2016

Hi

I'm about to upgrade several switches, and "sh version running" shows different Packages. I've never paid any attention to this, and is it relevant for IOS upgrade, except for the "IOS package"? What are the other packages?

The switches i'm upgrading is 3650 and 4506 with sup8.

Regards,

Michael

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FROM 3650

Package: Base, version: 03.06.04.E, status: active
File: cat3k_caa-base.SPA.03.06.04.E.pkg, on: Switch1
Built: Sat Feb 13 04:23:16 PST 2016, by: abhakat

Package: Drivers, version: 03.06.02.PSR3.65, status: active
File: cat3k_caa-drivers.SSA.03.06.02.PSR3.65.pkg, on: Switch1
Built: Sat Sep 05 09:39:15 PDT 2015, by: gereddy

Package: Infra, version: 03.06.04.E, status: active
File: cat3k_caa-infra.SPA.03.06.04.E.pkg, on: Switch1
Built: Sat Feb 13 04:24:22 PST 2016, by: abhakat

Package: IOS, version: 152-2.E4, status: active
File: cat3k_caa-iosd-universalk9.SPA.152-2.E4.pkg, on: Switch1
Built: Sat Feb 13 04:25:50 PST 2016, by: abhakat

Package: Platform, version: 03.06.04.E, status: active
File: cat3k_caa-platform.SPA.03.06.04.E.pkg, on: Switch1
Built: Sat Feb 13 04:25:09 PST 2016, by: abhakat

Package: WCM, version: 10.2.140.0, status: active
File: cat3k_caa-wcm-ldpe.SPA.10.2.140.0.pkg, on: Switch1
Built: Sat Feb 13 04:26:48 PST 2016, by: abhakat

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FROM 4506

Package: Base, version: 03.06.03E, status: active
File: cat4500es8-base.SPA.03.06.03E.pkg, on: Switch1
Built: Wed Aug 26 21:18:41 PDT 2015, by: abhakat

Package: Firmware, version: 03.06.03E, status: active
File: cat4500es8-firmware.SPA.03.06.03E.pkg, on: Switch1
Built: Wed Aug 26 21:16:47 PDT 2015, by: abhakat

Package: Infra, version: 03.06.03E, status: active
File: cat4500es8-infra.SPA.03.06.03E.pkg, on: Switch1
Built: Wed Aug 26 21:20:09 PDT 2015, by: abhakat

Package: IOS, version: 152-2.E3, status: active
File: cat4500es8-universalk9.SPA.152-2.E3.pkg, on: Switch1
Built: Wed Aug 26 21:20:49 PDT 2015, by: abhakat

Package: Base, version: 03.06.03E, status: active
File: cat4500es8-base.SPA.03.06.03E.pkg, on: Switch11
Built: Wed Aug 26 21:18:41 PDT 2015, by: abhakat

Package: Firmware, version: 03.06.03E, status: active
File: cat4500es8-firmware.SPA.03.06.03E.pkg, on: Switch11
Built: Wed Aug 26 21:16:47 PDT 2015, by: abhakat

Package: Infra, version: 03.06.03E, status: active
File: cat4500es8-infra.SPA.03.06.03E.pkg, on: Switch11
Built: Wed Aug 26 21:20:09 PDT 2015, by: abhakat

Package: IOS, version: 152-2.E3, status: active
File: cat4500es8-universalk9.SPA.152-2.E3.pkg, on: Switch11
Built: Wed Aug 26 21:20:49 PDT 2015, by: abhakat

Mark Malone · ‎10-13-2016

Hi

there probably old packages that were in use before , you can do a software clean to remove them , it will remove the ones not in use and leave the valid ones before the upgrade

#software ?
auto-upgrade Initiate auto upgrade for switches running incompatible software
clean         Clean unused package files from local media
commit        Commit the provisioned software and cancel the automatic rollback timer
expand        Expand a software bundle to local storage, default location is where the bundle currently resides
install       Install software
rollback      Rollback the committed software

Palani Mohan · ‎10-25-2016

Michael

I hope it is not too late. With Cisco devices running IOS-XE, you (usually) have two options for installing/upgrading the OS. These are called consolidated mode OR the packages mode. They are also called as bundle mode OR install mode.

All these years (with traditional IOS), we are used to "consolidated mode" OR the bundle mode. Copy the image to the flash media, change the boot statement and reload. Device running IOS will load the image to the DRAM and all is well. In packages mode OR install mode, you use the install cmd and it will extract individual packages to the flash, as part of install process.

In the grand scheme of things, the packages mode OR the install mode will allow for patching as opposed to a full blown install. Think of service packs for Windows. Not all service packs require a reload and more importantly, patching can be done on an incremental basis. This is the direction Cisco is going towards but it is too far into the future.

For now, stick to the traditional way of upgrading the IOS/IOS-XE. For more info, please review the document titled System Management Configuration Guide, Cisco IOS XE Release 3SE (Catalyst 3650 Switches)

Kind regards ... Palani

Michael Bartholomæussen · ‎10-25-2016

I've have upgraded our 4506 VSS with "changeversion" - first time, and I actually thought it had stuck in a boot loop because of an error on the console. I’ve posted it here.

The 3650 I haven't upgraded yet, until i have a better understanding of the upgrade process, so the information is very useful, thank you.

Palani Mohan · ‎10-25-2016

Hi Michael

Sure thing. The RCA for the error message is a manifestation of a known bug. More info is in the thread you cited.

Having seen the changes in IOS/IOS-XE, there is no real/widespread benefit in going to "install mode". Most of us are familiar with "bundle mode" and so, I recommend sticking to "bundle mode", for now.

Kind regards .... Palani