Cisco C8300-1N1S-4T2X rommon upgrade

[Noovi]

Hello Guys,
We are planning to upgrade Cisco router Cisco C8300-1N1S-4T2X from XE image 17.6.5 (Rommon image 17.3(5r)) to latest XE image 17.9.5a.

As per Rommon compatibility matrix, this new XE image should have minimum rommon image of 17.3(1r) and max. should be 17.6(6r). In my case, we are having 17.3(5r) so i think no need of rommon upgrade.

But i heard that from 17.4.x release, latest rommon image are included in .bin file only, is this true?

any reference link for Cisco 8300 router for this

[marce1000]

         >...But i heard that from 17.4.x release, latest rommon image are included in .bin file only, is this true?
           That seems to be correct : (ref) https://bst.cloudapps.cisco.com/bugsearch/bug/CSCwe88689
           >...
           > As of IOS-XE 17.4.x rommon on C8200, 17.5.x rommon on C8200L are bundled with the IOS-XE image and automatically upgraded  if the bundled rommon version is higher than the current rommon version.

 M.
          >...

[Noovi]

Hi,

actually, i also seen that bug but only C8200 is mentioned and not C8300.

Hence want to confirm for C8300

[marce1000]

   - I don't think it applies to the 8300 : https://www.cisco.com/c/en/us/td/docs/routers/cloud_edge/c8300/software_config/cat8300swcfg-xe-17-book/isr9000swcfg-xe-16-12-book_chapter_0111.html
 >...
 >An independent ROMMON image (software package) may occasionally be released and the router can be upgraded with the new ROMMON software. For detailed instructions, see the documentation that accompanies the ROMMON image...

  M.

[Leo Laohoo]

---

@marce1000 wrote:
An independent ROMMON image (software package) may occasionally be released

---

No more.  Cisco customers have experienced routers getting bricked because the ROMMON matrix is "hidden" (for lack of a better word).  Starting with 17.9.X (and only 17.9.X), ROMMON version 17.7(1r)/17.7.1r is incorporated into 17.9.X (and only 17.9.X).

And here is the real kicker:  Direct upgrade, from 17.6.X (and earlier), to 17.12.X is not supported and not documented.  Anyone who attempts to perform a direct upgrade, from 17.6.X (and earlier) to 17.12.X (and newer) will see the router go into a boot-crash-loop.  

The only way is to do an intermediate jump to 17.9.X before proceeding to 17.12.X (and later).

[Leo Laohoo]

Direct upgrade from 17.6.X (and earlier) to 17.9.X (and only 17.9.X) is supported.  Expect an automatic ROMMON/microcode upgrade to occur and this will add another 3 minutes on top of the 5 minutes reboot.  

WARNING:  Do not attempt to perform any direct upgrade, from 17.6.X, to 17.12.X (or later).  Failure to heed this warning will guarantee the router will go into an uncontrolled boot-crash-loop.  This is an undocumented behaviour from Cisco.

[Noovi]

Hi Leo,

So i can upgrade this router from 17.6.5 to 17.9.5a without separate Rommon file.

[marce1000]

 - Look up the Release Notes for 17.9.5a and check if there are any references to ROMMON.

 M.

[Leo Laohoo]

Direct upgrade to 17.9.X will automatically upgrade the ROMMON to 17.7(1r).  

[Noovi]

Thanks Leo, also having one query. For any image while loading boot variable
Document shows command like

boot system flash bootflash:c8000be-universalk9.17.09.05a.SPA.bin

But when i checked in router, it is showing like

boot system flash c8000be-universalk9.17.09.05a.SPA.bin

 which one is correct?

[Leo Laohoo]

Cisco ISR & ASR 1k Routers: IOS-XE/Firmware Upgrade (Install Mode)