4500x issu VSS update - compatibility matrix

[antonio.guirado]

Hello,

We must update our 4500X VSS switches. We would check ISSU compatibility matrix, but the following URL has been closed.

http://docwiki.cisco.com/wiki/Catalyst_4500/4900_series_ISSU_compatibility_matrix

In release notes document Cisco tell than we have to use Feature Navigator tool. We have tried but there is no way to find the compatibility matrx. Can some help us?.

Regards.

[Mark Malone]

Hi
if your looking to know does the latest ios-xe for 4500x supports ISSU it does , if thats not it can you explain exactly what you need

https://www.cisco.com/c/en/us/td/docs/switches/lan/catalyst4500/release/note/ol-38xe-4500e.html

[antonio.guirado]

Hello,

I am using the following documents:

https://www.cisco.com/c/en/us/td/docs/switches/lan/catalyst4500/release/note/ol-38xe-4500x.html#pgfId-2647198

https://www.cisco.com/c/en/us/td/docs/switches/lan/catalyst4500/XE3-8-0E/15-24E/configuration/guide/xe-380-configuration/issu_XE.html

In the last one, I read:

Compatibility Matrix

ISSU requires additional information to determine compatibility between software versions. Therefore, a compatibility matrix is defined that contains information about other IOS XE software image with respect to the one in question.

This compatibility matrix represents the compatibility of two software versions, one running on the active and the other on the standby supervisor engine, and to allow the system to determine the highest operating mode it can achieve. Incompatible versions will not be able to progress to SSO operational mode.

To display the compatibility matrix data between two software versions on a given system, enter the show issu comp-matrix stored command.

---

Note This command is useful only for verification purposes because it is available only after the ISSU process has started. You might want to check the compatibility matrix prior to starting ISSU. Use the Feature Navigator to obtain the needed information:

http://tools.cisco.com/ITDIT/CFN/jsp/index.jsp

[Mark Malone]

Hi
but thats talking about if you were running different IOS-XE versions in your VSS , are you running 2 different images ?
if not you have no issues the 3.8 fully supports ISSU , if you are im not sure where the matrix is moved too where it tells you what ISSU is supported on a mixed set of software images across both switches in the VSS setup

[antonio.guirado]

Hello,

when you do an issu update, you need to run different IOSXE during the upgrade process. First, slave 4500x is upgraded and run the new IOS XE. In this moment, new and old IOS XE must be compatible. Due to, it is very important to be sure than both IOS XE are 100% compatible to reach the SSO redundancy state. The document explain clearly that matrix compatibility should be checked.

Regards 

[Mark Malone]

Hi
what current version are you on on the 4500x ?

[antonio.guirado]

Hello,

we want to up to cat4500e-universalk9.SPA.03.08.07.E.152-4.E7.bin.

We have:

C4500X-CORE#show issu state detail
Slot = 1
RP State = Active
ISSU State = Init
Operating Mode = Stateful Switchover
Current Image = bootflash:cat4500e-universalk9.SPA.03.06.06.E.152-2.E6.bin
Pre-ISSU (Original) Image = N/A
Post-ISSU (Targeted) Image = N/A

Slot = 11
RP State = Standby
ISSU State = Init
Operating Mode = Stateful Switchover
Current Image = bootflash:cat4500e-universalk9.SPA.03.06.06.E.152-2.E6.bin
Pre-ISSU (Original) Image = N/A
Post-ISSU (Targeted) Image = N/A

[Mark Malone]

Both releases in the documentation say they do not support ISSU before 3.6.0 , so a 3.6.6 and a 3.8.7 should work together
You could ask TAC too but looks like once no earlier than 3.6 they will be compatible

Performing an ISSU from a prior release to IOS XE 3.6.0E is not supported.

https://www.cisco.com/c/en/us/td/docs/switches/lan/catalyst4500/release/note/ol-38xe-4500e.html

https://www.cisco.com/c/en/us/td/docs/switches/lan/catalyst4500/release/note/OL_32143-01.pdf

[Leo Laohoo]

---

@antonio.guirado wrote:

we want to up to cat4500e-universalk9.SPA.03.08.07.E.152-4.E7.bin. 

You can upgrade directly to 3.8.X but only after upgrading the ROMmon.

Please refer to Upgrading the System Software which states: 

If you are upgrading to Cisco IOS XE Release 3.8.xE and plan to use VSS, you must upgrade your ROMMON to IOS Version 15.0(1r)SG11.

[antonio.guirado]

Hello,

thank you very much. We have ROM: 15.0(1r)SG12. Therefore, we assume that this ROM version that is greater than 15.0(1r)SG11 is correct to do the upgrade process in a VSS enviroment. Anyway, we have opened a Cisco TAC ticket to make sured.

[antonio.guirado]

Hello,

Have anybody a 4500 or 4500x with IOSXE 03.08.07E?

Could you send the output of the command "show issu comp-matrix stored"?. It seems that Cisco says that there is a "issu application" in Feature Software tool but  I can't find it. So, the command show issu comp-matrix stored is an IOSXE 03.08.07E is the only way to know if IOSXE 03.06.06S is compatible for an issu process.

Thanks in advance.

Regards

[Mark Malone · Accepted solution]

Took me a few days but hers the actual PDF comp matrix for 4500s

[antonio.guirado]

Hello,

thank you very much. This document is needed to perform an sucessfully upgrade. Now, It is easy see that to go from 03.06.06S to 03.08.07S, I have to use for example 03.06.07S. I can't understand why Cisco doesn't make public this information.

Thank you very much!!!! You are faster than Cisco TAC support!!!.

[jessieo]

Hello Experts!

Just one question regarding the 4000 series switches.

Are the 4000 series switches stackable?

If yes, please let me know the model and possibly, documents.

Thank you.

[Scott Hodgdon]

jessieo,

They are not stackable in the same sense as a Catalyst 9300 or 9200 using a stack cable that connects on the back of the switch.

The Catalyst 4500 (starting with Sup7E , I believe) and 4500X can utilize VSS to combine two physical switches into one logical device. This is like a stack in that it is a shared control plane for more than one physical device. But unlike the 9300 or 9200 that use a stacking cable that attaches to the back of the switch, VSS uses copper / fiber connections on the front of the switch.

Cheers,
Scott Hodgdon

Senior Technical Marketing Engineer

Enterprise Networking and Cloud Group