Bootloader Version Question

[jtrimmer62]

I have 10 Cisco 3650 switches, all running in install mode. They all have at least IOS XE version Denali 16.3.5b or higher. I am currently upgrading all of them to Denali 16.3.8. I have upgraded 4 already but when I do a Show Version they all show bootloader version 3.56. According to the release notes it should be 4.66 after reboot. My bootloader on all my switches say 3.56 which according to the release notes is for Denali16.2.X. If the bootloader gets upgraded during reboot of a new IOS XE version why would it not be upgrading on my switches?

[Giuseppe Larosa]

Hello jtrimmer62,

have you followed the upgrade procedure in the release notes

see

https://www.cisco.com/c/en/us/td/docs/switches/lan/catalyst3850/software/release/16-3/release_notes/ol-16-3-3850.html#pgfId-1246127

see also this thread

https://community.cisco.com/t5/switching/cisco-3650-install-upgrade-procedure-broken/td-p/3027107

Hope to help

Giuseppe

[jtrimmer62]

I have followed the software loading instructions per the Release Notes for Catalyst 3650 Series Switch, Cisco IOS XE Denali 16.3.x. At the end it said Do you want to proceed with reload? [yes/no] : I selected yes, it rebooted and the bootloader did not upgrade. It says in the guide "When you boot the new image, it will automatically update the boot loader".

[karen.j.drew.ctr@navy.mil]

Did you notice an error message when the switch was booting up; e.g., 

%BOOT-3-SYSD_STARTFAIL: R0/0: Failed to launch boot task boothelper_autoupgrade.service (exit-code).

Check this URL for more information.

https://bst.cloudapps.cisco.com/bugsearch/bug/CSCvc03655/?rfs=iqvred

[NWT]

Hello,

There is an option in the rommon that disables boot loader upgrades. (CSCvc03655)

You can check and adapt the setting with this procedure:

Workaround:
Get into the ROMMON of any of the switch where issue is seen (reload switch and press/hold mode button for 15-20 sec, then release) .
Then run the below command from ROMMON and check the mentioned variable settings.

Switch: set

Now look for the variable- BOOT_LOADER_UPGRADE_DISABLE. If that is set to 1 then it explains why the auto upgrade didn't take place.

BOOT_LOADER_UPGRADE_DISABLE=1

If you see above then change it to following and reset the switch, check the boot loader again.

Switch: BOOT_LOADER_UPGRADE_DISABLE=0
Switch: reset

The switch may need a second reload for the automatic boot loader upgrade to take place.