6506 image question

[Patrick McHenry]

Hi,

I would like to deploy this 6506 switch. I figure it can replace 3 3500s with it's 3, 48 port modules and it has 802.1x and MST capabilities. I would like to upgade the switch with a K9 image but, the sho module output and the images on the software page don't seem to match up and it's a little confusing. It appears I am running cat6000-supk8.7-6-3.bin. What is the latest CAT OS image I can run that will include SSH?

Thanks, Pat
 

Console> (enable) sh module
Mod Slot Ports Module-Type               Model               Sub Status
--- ---- ----- ------------------------- ------------------- --- --------
1   1    2     1000BaseX Supervisor      WS-X6K-SUP1A-2GE    yes ok
15  1    1     Multilayer Switch Feature WS-F6K-MSFC         no  ok
2   2    48    10/100BaseTX Ethernet     WS-X6248-RJ-45      no  ok
3   3    48    10/100BaseTX Ethernet     WS-X6248-RJ-45      no  ok
5   5    48    10/100BaseTX Ethernet     WS-X6248-RJ-45      no  ok

Omitted Info

Mod Sub-Type                Sub-Model           Sub-Serial  Sub-Hw Sub-Sw
--- ----------------------- ------------------- ----------- ------ ------
1   L3 Switching Engine     WS-F6K-PFC          SAD035203CL 1.0

Console> (enable) sh ver
WS-C6506 Software, Version NmpSW: 7.6(3)
Copyright (c) 1995-2003 by Cisco Systems
NMP S/W compiled on Aug 22 2003, 01:50:07

System Bootstrap Version: 5.2(1)
System Boot Image File is 'bootflash:cat6000-supk8.7-6-3.bin'
System Configuration register is 0x2102

Hardware Version: 3.0  Model: WS-C6506  Serial #: SAL0728GKDU

PS1  Module: WS-CAC-2500W    Serial #: ART0719E0PU

Mod Port Model               Serial #    Versions
--- ---- ------------------- ----------- --------------------------------------
1   2    WS-X6K-SUP1A-2GE    SAD03414604 Hw : 1.0
                                         Fw : 5.2(1)
                                         Fw1: 5.1(1)CSX
                                         Sw : 7.6(3)
                                         Sw1: 7.6(3)
         WS-X6K-SUP1A-2GE    SAD03414604 Hw : 1.0
                                         Sw :
2   48   WS-X6248-RJ-45      SAD035005S7 Hw : 1.1
                                         Fw : 4.2(0.24)VAI78
                                         Sw : 7.6(3)
3   48   WS-X6248-RJ-45      SAD035101M3 Hw : 1.1
                                         Fw : 4.2(0.24)VAI78
                                         Sw : 7.6(3)
5   48   WS-X6248-RJ-45      SAD0351025P Hw : 1.1
                                         Fw : 4.2(0.24)VAI78
                                         Sw : 7.6(3)
15  1    WS-F6K-MSFC         SAD0350022U Hw : 1.2
                                         Fw : 12.1(7a)E1
                                         Sw : 12.1(7a)E1

       DRAM                    FLASH                   NVRAM
Module Total   Used    Free    Total   Used    Free    Total Used  Free
------ ------- ------- ------- ------- ------- ------- ----- ----- -----
1       65408K  47730K  17678K  16384K  10842K   5542K  512K  329K  183K

[Jerry Ye]

The latest CatOS is 8.6(4) but it requires 128MB DRAM/64MB Flash.

Looks like your switch is only 64/16:

       DRAM                    FLASH                   NVRAM
Module Total   Used    Free    Total   Used    Free    Total Used  Free
------ ------- ------- ------- ------- ------- ------- ----- ----- -----
1       65408K  47730K  17678K  16384K  10842K   5542K  512K  329K  183K

HTH,

jerry

[Patrick McHenry]

Jerry,

Can I upgrade any further or is my current image the latest image the switch can run? Or is there a K9 image I can use that will allow me to SSH?

Thanks, Pat.

[Jerry Ye · Accepted solution]

I am looking at CCO and the image you are running right now is also listed as 128/32 for DRAM/Flash.

It is your call to try it or not. If your switch is under SMARTNet (service contract), you would give it a try.

Regards,

jerry

[Patrick McHenry]

Jerry,

thanks for the response. By chance, could you give me a link to where you found the information? I seem to have a tough time getting info like you just did and I would like to be able to help myself in the future for questions like this.

You know....Give a man a fish and he will eat for a day.. bla bla bla.

Thanks, Pat.

[Jerry Ye]

Hi Patrick,

Need to make a correction first. The latest downloadable for CatOS SUP1A is 8.5(3). And the requirement is 128/16 DRAM/FLASH.

I got my info directly from the download page:

http://www.cisco.com/cisco/software/release.html?mdfid=277250316&flowid=3296&softwareid=282098305&release=8.5%283%29&rellifecycle=&relind=AVAILABLE&reltype=all

You will need to have Cisco.com access plus active SMARTNet contract to access this link.

This link has the memory requirement for CatOS 8.x software.

http://www.cisco.com/en/US/partner/docs/switches/lan/catalyst6500/catos/8.x/system/release/notes/OL_4498.html#wp20785

HTH,

jerry

[Patrick McHenry]

I forgot to mention that the switch has a 24 Mbyte memory card. Does this change things? Maybe that is why it can run the image because I think the running image is 20 Mb?

After looking at the images, and the fact that the switch has only 64Mb DRAM, maybe I should drop down to 6.X.X? That way, I am running a image I know my switch can handle.

If I do delete the image that is running and install a 6.X.X, am I going to install the "new" image to the card or to the switch?

Thanks, Pat.

[Jerry Ye · Accepted solution]

Hi Pat,

If that is what you want to do, sure, downgrade to 6.x is not a bad idea and the following image does support SSH in 6.x code. However, some people follow the rule "if it is not broken, don't touch it".

cat6000-supcvk9.6-4-21.bin

Just general rule, please make sure all the modules are supported in the 6.x code. Also, during downgrade, any new commands that were introduced in the 7.x code will show up as error at boot up.

Downgrade is really loading the 6.x code instead of the 7.x. This can be accomplish by copy the software into the switch and change the boot variable. Please see the following article as your reference:

http://www.cisco.com/en/US/products/hw/switches/ps708/products_configuration_example09186a0080116ff0.shtml

Please see the attach for the release note of CatOS 6.x software:

http://www.cisco.com/en/US/partner/docs/switches/lan/catalyst6500/catos/6.x/release/notes/78_11235.html

HTH,

jerry