Upgrade software on ISR 4451

[rasmus.elmholt]

Hi All,

I have an ISR 4451-X/K9 I need to upgrade from verison 16.12.5 to version 17.12.4.

But I am unsure if we will run into issue with the license. If we need to convert it to smart license before the upgrade or not.

Any information about the upgrade, if we can jump directly to 17.12.4 or we need an interim version.

#show licen summ
Smart Licensing is ENABLED

Registration:
  Status: UNREGISTERED
  Export-Controlled Functionality: NOT ALLOWED

License Authorization:
  Status: EVAL EXPIRED

License Usage:
  License                 Entitlement tag               Count Status
  -----------------------------------------------------------------------------
                          (ISR_4400_Application)            1 EVAL EXPIRED
                          (ISR_4400_Security)               1 EVAL EXPIRED
                          (ISR_4451_2G_Performance)         1 EVAL EXPIRED

Technology Package License Information:

-----------------------------------------------------------------
Technology    Technology-package           Technology-package
              Current       Type           Next reboot
------------------------------------------------------------------
appxk9           appxk9           Smart License    appxk9
uck9             None             Smart License    None
securityk9       securityk9       Smart License    securityk9
ipbase           ipbasek9         Smart License    ipbasek9

The current throughput level is 2000000 kbps

[sdroy]

You can directly upgrade your ISR 4451-X/K9 from version 16.12.5 to 17.12.4 without an interim step. Since Smart Licensing is enabled, there’s no need for conversion, but you must register the router as it’s currently "UNREGISTERED" with "EVAL EXPIRED" licenses. Back up your configuration beforehand and review the 17.12.4 release notes for compatibility.

[Leo Laohoo]

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@rasmus.elmholt wrote:
Any information about the upgrade, if we can jump directly to 17.12.4 or we need an interim version.

---

No, direct upgrade, from 16.12.X, to 17.12.X is not supported.  

Cisco developers have kept a hidden and undocumented feature about performing an intermediate upgrade to 17.6.X or 17.9.X before jumping to 17.12.X. 

Failure to heed this warning will guaranteed the router will go into a boot-crash-loop.

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

[rasmus.elmholt]

Hi @Leo Laohoo 

Thank you for the reply. It looks like I have to go through the release notes carefully before the upgrade.

[Leo Laohoo]

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@rasmus.elmholt wrote:
Thank you for the reply. It looks like I have to go through the release notes carefully before the upgrade.

---

The info is not found in ISR 4000 the Release Notes because the developers never shared it with anyone.  Not even with TAC. 

However, read the Cisco ISR1000 ROMmon Compatibility Matrix and it is mentioned: 

To upgrade to Cisco IOS XE Dublin 17.12.x, follow these steps:

1. If you are on a device that is running software version between Cisco IOS XE 16.x to Cisco IOS XE 17.4.x, upgrade to any IOS XE image between Cisco IOS XE 17.5.x to Cisco IOS XE 17.10.x.

2. After performing step a, upgrade to Cisco IOS XE 17.12.x.

3. For devices that are running on software version Cisco IOS XE 17.5.x or later, you can upgrade to Cisco IOS XE 17.12.x directly.

---

This info is found in the ISR 1000 Release Notes because I reported this to Sydney TAC in 2024.