what version of software should use for catalyst 8500

[Herman2022]

Hi, we have one catalyst 8500 router with following os. 

Cisco IOS XE Software, Version 17.09.05a
Cisco IOS Software [Cupertino], c8000aes Software (X86_64_LINUX_IOSD-UNIVERSALK9

We would like to upgrade it to most stable version. Can anyone please advise which version we should use? Thanks in advance! 

[M02@rt37]

Hello @Herman2022 

See 17.15.x version

https://www.cisco.com/c/en/us/td/docs/routers/cloud_edge/c8500/release-notes/cat8500-17-15-rel-notes.html

[Herman2022]

Hi M02@rt37 ， thanks for your advice. our 8500 is deployed in on-premise data center. I saw the brand of version 17.15.x.x is IOSXE, can we directly upgrade from Cupertino 17.09.05a to IOSXE 17.15.3a? Looking forward to your kind advice! thanks. 

[M02@rt37 · Accepted solution]

@Herman2022,

you can jump to the 17.15.x train in theory, but don’t do it blindly; check the feature-and-platform compatibility via cisco faeture navigator at https://cfnng.cisco.com/compare and carefuly review the release notes to confirm you won’t lose functionalities or run into unsupported hardware/bootloader issues..

[balaji.bandi · Accepted solution]

17.15.3a recently upgraded and stable so far on Cat8200/8300

you may need SMU upgrade while upgrading from OLD code to new code, you can read the release notes and upgrade notes.

https://www.cisco.com/c/en/us/td/docs/routers/cloud_edge/c8500/release-notes/cat8500-17-15-rel-notes.html