3850 Stack Switching - Adding a new member

[ToughGuy]

Hi All,

We have a stack of 3 switches which are on the below IOS

Switch Ports Model              SW Version        SW Image              Mode   
------ ----- -----              ----------        ----------            ----   
*    1 56    WS-C3850-48P       03.03.02SE        cat3k_caa-universalk9 INSTALL
     2 56    WS-C3850-48P       03.03.02SE        cat3k_caa-universalk9 INSTALL
     3 56    WS-C3850-48P       03.03.02SE        cat3k_caa-universalk9 INSTALL

Now i need to add the below new member to this stack ..

Switch Ports Model              SW Version        SW Image              Mode   
------ ----- -----              ----------        ----------            ----   
*    1 62    WS-C3850-12X48U    16.3.5            CAT3K_CAA-UNIVERSALK9 INSTALL

The IOS on the current stack is DEFERRED & i cannot download it from the cisco website.

Can someone please suggest how to proceed further? Thanks

[Leo Laohoo · Accepted solution]

The lowest version 3850-12X48U can support is 3.7.4E.
You have several choices. And they are:
1. Upgrade the stack to 16.3.5 so the 3850-12X48U can join the stack; or
2. Upgrade the stack to 3.7.5E and downgrade the 3850-12X48U to 3.7.5E

[ToughGuy]

Hi Leo,

Ca you please advise regarding the upgrade of the switches to 3.7.5E ( i need the procedure)

as i'm dealing with stack switches for the 1st time & its a bit tricky... ( i know how to upgrade the IOS for a single switch)

[Mark Malone]

Hi

Thats a really bad ios-xe version 3.3.2 its riddled with bugs thats why its deferred

as an option you could put all switches on cat3k_caa-universalk9.SPA.03.07.05.E.152-3.E5.bin both models support that version and they will stack with that together and its newer software

[ToughGuy]

thanks Mark :)

AS requested above - can you please advise regarding the upgrade of the switches to 3.7.5E ( i need the procedure)



as i'm dealing with stack switches for the 1st time & its a bit tricky... ( i know how to upgrade the IOS for a single switch)

[Mark Malone · Accepted solution]

so you have multiple flashes there 1 in each switch , by usb prob the quickest upload the image to each flash

copy image to each switch flash
copy usb0:cat3k_caa-universalk9.SPA.03.07.05.E.152-3.E5.bin flash
copy usb0:cat3k_caa-universalk9.SPA.03.07.05.E.152-3.E5.bin flash2:
copy usb0:cat3k_caa-universalk9.SPA.03.07.05.E.152-3.E5.bin flash3:

Then set boot
boot system switch all flash:cat3k_caa-universalk9.SPA.03.07.05.E.152-3.E5.bin
save it , wr
Then reload command to boot the stack with new software


or there's other ways too as per doc
https://www.cisco.com/c/en/us/support/docs/switches/catalyst-3850-series-switches/117552-technote-cat3850-00.html

[ToughGuy]

Thanks Mark :)

After we do the same .. i hope all the switches will be under INSTALL MODE? ( just curious regarding the BUNDLE MODE issue)

Please advise, Thanks

[Mark Malone]

if you load by .bin they will be in bundle mode
if you want install mode then you need to do it pkg file

is there a reason you want install mode over bundle ?

follow this for install mode if you really want it that way , i do everything in .bin

https://www.cisco.com/c/en/us/td/docs/switches/lan/catalyst3850/software/release/3se/system_management/configuration_guide/b_sm_3se_3850_cg/b_sm_3se_3850_cg_chapter_010100.html

[ToughGuy]

as per Cisco

• Booting the switch in Bundle mode consumes more memory than the Install mode because the packages are extracted from the bundle and copied to the RAM.

[Mark Malone]

never had any memory issues running .bin on stacks , thats only during the boot process it uses a bit more memory , anyway both methods i have posted so you should be good to use either to get them stacked

[ToughGuy]

Thanks a ton Mark & Leo

[Leo Laohoo]

I would recommend Install mode vs Bundle mode.
Bundle mode takes more time for the switch/stack to become operational because all the packages inside the BIN needs to be unpacked but with Install mode the package files are already unpacked.