Cisco ASR 920 Upgrade 16.7.1> 16.12.4

[johnlloyd_13]

hi,

i need to upgrade an ASR 920 from 16.7.1 > 16.12.4. it's a new device so config is not a real concern.

i tried to search for the upgrade path but only showed me the 3.x > 16.x upgrade.

is this just a straight forward upgrade, i.e. change 'boot system' and reload?

#sh ver

Cisco IOS XE Software, Version 16.07.01

Cisco IOS Software [Fuji], ASR920 Software (PPC_LINUX_IOSD-UNIVERSALK9_NPE-M), Version 16.7.1, RELEASE SOFTWARE (fc6)

Technical Support: http://www.cisco.com/techsupport

Copyright (c) 1986-2017 by Cisco Systems, Inc.

Compiled Mon 20-Nov-17 17:29 by mcpre

[Leo Laohoo]

---

@johnlloyd_13 wrote:

is this just a straight forward upgrade, i.e. change 'boot system' and reload?

---

No, there are a number of "gotchas". 

1. Bundle Mode or Install Mode
2. What ROMMON is the present unit running on? 
3. Final, "gotcha":  Choice of 16.12.4.  That is one very risky move because 16.12.4, and I am going to say it with extreme prejudice, is buggy "af".
   
   

[johnlloyd_13]

hi leo,

can you explain or give a link for the procedure on bundle/install mode?

the present ROMMON is 15.6(10r)S.

finally, what kind of bugs did you encounter in the 16.12.4 code? can you show some links as well?

[johnlloyd_13]

hi leo,

it's just a single RP (only R0).

#sh platform

Chassis type: ASR-920-24SZ-M

Slot      Type                State                 Insert time (ago)

--------- ------------------- --------------------- -----------------

 0/0      24xGE-4x10GE-FIXED-Sok                    5d02h        

R0        ASR-920-24SZ-M      ok, active            5d02h        

F0                            ok, active            5d02h        

P0        ASR920-PSU0         ps, fail              5d02h        

P1        ASR920-PSU1         ok                    5d02h        

P2        ASR920-FAN          ok                    5d02h        

Slot      CPLD Version        Firmware Version                       

--------- ------------------- ---------------------------------------

R0        16112007            15.6(10r)S                         

F0        16112007            15.6(10r)S  

[Leo Laohoo]

NOTE:  Apologies in advance, I want to make sure and not sounding like a d1ck. 

Please show us the IOS filename being used by this appliance?  I want to make sure.  

[Leo Laohoo]

For RP2/RP3, just upgrade to whatever "latest-n-greatest" ROMMON version. 

Supported FPGA, HoFPGA, and ROMMON Versions for Cisco IOS XE 17.3.x Release

[johnlloyd_13]

hi leo,

you gave a link for a ASR 900.

i'm asking about ASR 920. have you upgraded an ASR 920 before?

[Leo Laohoo]

---

@johnlloyd_13 wrote:

i'm asking about ASR 920. have you upgraded an ASR 920 before?

---

Mea culpa. 

No, I have not upgraded a 920 before, however, 900 & 920 are running on IOS-XE and this means Install Mode or Bundle Mode. 

Procedures and behaviours are the same.  
For the ASR 920, the ROMMON matrix can be found HERE.

[Leo Laohoo]

Install Mode Procedure

1.  Copy the IOS file into the flash:  copy tftp://<TFTP_IP_ADDRESS>/IOS_FILENAME.bin bootflash:

IMPORTANT:  ASR & ISR have a different naming destination for storing files.  It is now called "bootflash:" and if "bootflash:" is not used, the router will boot into ROMMON (CSCvg37458).

2.  Change the boot variable string: 

• Remove the old boot variable string
• The first boot variable string will point to the file "bootflash:packages.conf".
• Second boot variable string will point to the new IOS file with BIN file extension.
• Third boot variable string will point to the old boot variable string

3.  Save the config so the boot variable string gets applied.  

4.  Make sure the config-registry value is correct.

WARNING:  Pressing "y" in the next command will immediately reboot the router.  

5.  Extract the package files:install add file flash:IOS_FILENAME.bin activate commit

The router will reboot into the new IOS version but in Install Mode.  

Ok, now here's where the fun begins: 

In step 5, there is ONE way to "schedule" the reboot.  Once the "y" key is entered, the router will do it's "thing" and reboot, HOWEVER, if "n" is entered, the process stops but the files have already been extracted.  

If you want to schedule the router to reboot at a later time, then follow on: 

1.  Look into the directory for a package file with an extension of "conf":  dir bootflash:*.conf

2.  Just to make sure you are "touching" the correct file, look at contents of this file, particularly page 2 or 3:  more bootflash:<BLAH>.conf

3.  Does the right-hand column contain the destination IOS-XE version you are planning to go to?  If it is, then continue on.

4.  Rename this file into "packages.conf":  rename bootflash:<BLAH>.conf bootflash:packages.conf

5.  Make sure the boot variable string is pointing to "packages.conf":  sh boot

6.  Save the config and reboot.