Upgrade ASR1001-X to 16.12.5 or 17.3.3

[johnlloyd_13]

hi,

i need to upgrade an ASR1001-X and choosing between IOS-XE 16.12.5 or 17.3.3.

which code do i go for in terms of stability and extended/longer support (at least 3 years)?

i tried to search for the upgrade path but google is failing me.

this is a new router and backup config is not an issue.

will upgrade from an old IOS-XE 03.13.03.S. can i directly upgrade 3.13.3 to 17.3.3? or is there an intermediate code to jump first?

[Leo Laohoo]

@johnlloyd_13, read the Release Notes very carefully.  ASR Release Notes have "gotchas" because some versions do not mention anything about which ROMMON version to use for what particular IOS version. 

The entire 16.12.X is already end-of-sale:  End-of-Sale and End-of-Life Announcement for the Cisco IOS XE 16.12.x

17.3.X is your next bet.  
NOTE:  17.3.4 is meant to be released on July 2021.

IMPORTANT:  Install Mode is highly recommended.

[johnlloyd_13]

hi leo,

can you expound regarding the 'install' mode?

can i directly upgrade 3.13.3 to 17.3.3? or is there an intermediate code to jump first?

can i also directly upgrade ROMMON 15.4(2r)S to 17.3(1r)?

[Leo Laohoo]

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@johnlloyd_13 wrote:

can i directly upgrade 3.13.3 to 17.3.3? or is there an intermediate code to jump first?

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As long as the router's ROMMON has been upgraded to, a minimum of, 16.12.(2r) then you can do a direct upgrade to 17.3.X.  

[johnlloyd_13]

hi leo,

so you're saying there's a ROMMON upgrade path: 15.4(2r)S > 16.12.(2r) > 17.3(1r)?

i would appreciate if you can show me some links.

[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.  

[Leo Laohoo]

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@johnlloyd_13 wrote:

can i directly upgrade 3.13.3 to 17.3.3? or is there an intermediate code to jump first?

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Install Mode vs Bundle Mode "for dummies" explanation (not-so-bored-me-to-tears version) can be found HERE.

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@johnlloyd_13 wrote:

so you're saying there's a ROMMON upgrade path: 15.4(2r)S > 16.12.(2r) > 17.3(1r)?

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ROMMON upgrade can be direct.  Please do not use 16.12(1r) because of CSCvr18589.  

ASR ROMmon Release Requirements Matrix - Use this matrix as "the" matrix for any router running IOS-XE, lest it be an ASR or an ISR, because some ISR Release Notes do not disclose this information openly.  Because of the absence of this matrix, any novice can easily boot the router(s) into ROMMON because the ROMMON has not yet been upgraded.

[Leo Laohoo]

@johnlloyd_13, 17.3.4 is starting to drop.  

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

[Leo Laohoo]

@johnlloyd_13, 17.3.4 for ASR and ISR has been removed. 

Replacement is a rebuild version, 17.3.4a.