9200 series switch IOS deleted while upgrading

[adeebtaqui]

I would like to share solution for IOS deleted by mistake on 9200 catalyst switch and not being able to boot switch to user priveldge mode or config.

[adeebtaqui · Accepted solution]

After accidently deleting existing IOS from 9200 switch and then rebooting – the switch will have no boot IOS and hence you cannot access the existing configuration.

Check output of show boot

Instead you will see below prompt in CLI Console

Switch:

switch: help

 - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

arp                  Dump or Clear ARP Table

boot                 Load and boot an executable image

cat                  Display text content from a file

copy                 Copy a file

dir                  List filesystems or a directory on a filesystem path

help                 List command information

history              Show command history

idprom               Show idprom data

ping                 Ping use ICMP protocol to get an ICMP ECHO_RESPONSE from host

ping6                Ping use ICMP protocol to get an ICMP ECHO_RESPONSE from host

reset                Reset entire system

set                  Set an environment variable value

unset                Unsets an environment variable

version              Show sboot version and runtime info

 - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

So now go to cisco software download page and download the latest IOS and load onto USB and then insert USB onto switch USB port.

Then to check all drives on switch

dir

usage: dir <path-to-directory>

supported filesystem(s):

         flash: ro flash

     usbflash0: rw front-panel USB 0

     usbflash1: rw front-panel USB 1

Then use below command

boot usbflash0:cat9k_lite_iosxe.17.11.01.SPA.bin

The new image will start to load and finally the switch will boot with new image and you will see the running config is not deleted.

Now check boot configuration using show boot & dir flash:

then configure "boot system switch all flash:packages.conf"  so that switch would boot with the latest image in flash

save config and reload to check

[Leo Laohoo]

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@adeebtaqui wrote:

boot usbflash0:cat9k_lite_iosxe.17.11.01.SPA.bin

The new image will start to load and finally the switch will boot with new image and you will see the running config is not deleted.

Now configure "boot system switch all flash:packages.conf"  so that switch would boot with the latest image in flash

save config and reload to check

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Yeah, no.  That is wrong.  

You said you've accidentally deleted the firmware but the packages.conf file is still there?  Nope.  That does not add up.