2960-X Software image 'archive download-sw' command fails

[razorbeak]

Upgrading IOS on several 2960X-48FPD-L switches.  Running 15.2(2).E7, upgrading to 15.2(4).E8 (also tried E9 as shown below/attached).

Using 'archive...' command, the copy job would seem to complete successfully, and then begin the copy a second time.

Ultimately, it failed every time.

The .bin image works fine - I finally just chose to do the classic 'move the .bin, edit boot system command, and reload'.  This worked as expected.

Another user here had a similar experience, but the 'solution' in that post made no difference in my case.  One difference from that case - I did not want to use the /overwrite command because I prefer to load the new and test it before deleting the current/old OS (supported and recommended approach according to Cisco docs).

Example Output:

(with file name after 'flash:')

Switch#archive download-sw tftp://10.10.20.182/c2960x-universalk9-tar.152-4.E9.tar flash:c2960x-universalk9-tar.152-4.E9.tar
Loading c2960x-universalk9-tar.152-4.E9.tar from 10.10.20.182 (via Vlan1): !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!O!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
[OK - 30310400 bytes]

Loading c2960x-universalk9-tar.152-4.E9.tar from 10.10.20.182 (via Vlan1): !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
 Could not buffer tarfile...using multiple downloads
examining image...
extracting info (109 bytes)
extracting c2960x-universalk9-mz.152-4.E9/info (687 bytes)
extracting info (109 bytes)

Stacking Version Number: 1.59

System Type:             0x00000000
  Ios Image File Size:   0x0173BA00
  Total Image File Size: 0x01CE8200
  Minimum Dram required: 0x08000000
  Image Suffix:          universalk9-152-4.E9
  Image Directory:       c2960x-universalk9-mz.152-4.E9
  Image Name:            c2960x-universalk9-mz.152-4.E9.bin
  Image Feature:         IP|LAYER_2|SSH|3DES|MIN_DRAM_MEG=128
  FRU Module Version:    No FRU Version Specified

examining image...
%Error opening flash:c2960x-universalk9-tar.152-4.E9.tar (No such file or directory)
%Error opening flash:c2960x-universalk9-tar.152-4.E9.tar (No such file or directory)
%Error opening flash:update/info (No such file or directory)
ERROR: Malformed `info' file.
ERROR: Image is not a valid IOS image archive.

(without filename after 'flash:')

Switch#archive download-sw tftp://10.10.20.179/c2960x-universalk9-tar.152-4.E9.tar flash:
Loading c2960x-universalk9-tar.152-4.E9.tar from 10.10.20.179 (via Vlan1): !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!O!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
[OK - 30310400 bytes]

Loading c2960x-universalk9-tar.152-4.E9.tar from 10.10.20.179 (via Vlan1): !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
 Could not buffer tarfile...using multiple downloads
examining image...
extracting info (109 bytes)
extracting c2960x-universalk9-mz.152-4.E9/info (687 bytes)
extracting info (109 bytes)

Stacking Version Number: 1.59

System Type:             0x00000000
  Ios Image File Size:   0x0173BA00
  Total Image File Size: 0x01CE8200
  Minimum Dram required: 0x08000000
  Image Suffix:          universalk9-152-4.E9
  Image Directory:       c2960x-universalk9-mz.152-4.E9
  Image Name:            c2960x-universalk9-mz.152-4.E9.bin
  Image Feature:         IP|LAYER_2|SSH|3DES|MIN_DRAM_MEG=128
  FRU Module Version:    No FRU Version Specified

examining image...
%Error, "flash:" is a directory.
%Error, "flash:" is a directory.
%Error opening flash:update/info (No such file or directory)
ERROR: Malformed `info' file.
ERROR: Image is not a valid IOS image archive.

Hoping someone has some updated / accurate explanation / cause for this happening.

Thanks.

[razorbeak]

self-comment:
I notice that the file is found, is copied, is extracted, and the /info file is examined.

The issue appears to be this section:

examining image...
%Error, "flash:" is a directory.
%Error, "flash:" is a directory.
%Error opening flash:update/info (No such file or directory)
ERROR: Malformed `info' file.

Which is now the process looking at 'flash:'. Is this perhaps an issue of failing to extract the TAR file (creating the expected directory structure) on flash: ??

[balaji.bandi]

1. First question do you have enough space in flash:

you can check dir flash:

2.  try

archive download-sw tftp://10.10.20.179/c2960x-universalk9-tar.152-4.E9.tar

here is the reference guide and options

https://www.cisco.com/c/en/us/td/docs/switches/lan/catalyst2960x/software/15-0_2_EX/file_management/file_management/img_files.html

[Leo Laohoo · Accepted solution]

The syntax is incorrect.
It should only be "archive download-sw tftp://10.10.20.179/c2960x-universalk9-tar.152-4.E9.tar". Leave the "flash:" out.

[razorbeak]

And right you are.  Good catch.  Re-checked the documentation and I was adding on the 'flash:'.

I will have to test it out, but thanks again, and hope it solves the issue.