catalyst 6500 bootflash

[newbie]

I am having some trouble understanding the difference between the sup-bootflash and the bootflash on the 6500. on which does the ios image reside. I do a dir and I do not see the filename that is in the 'show version' command

[newbie]

Thanks once again. I am currently working on upgrading the sup-bootflash (SP) from 256mg to 512mg. I will have to upgrade the rommon. Would you happen to know if I should move the new version to the gold region with the preferred command or leave it in F1. Does it matter.

[mohammedmahmoud]

Hi Yolanda,

There are three regions (including the Gold region) where versions of the ROMMON image can be stored. You can use the rommon prefer and rommon invalidate commands to switch between regions.

The ROMMON software upgrade feature allows you to have two upgraded ROMMON images (one in region F1, the second in region F2) in addition to the "Gold" ROMMON stored on the one-time programmable (OTP) EPROM section of the ROMMON. Use the rommon preference command to select which ROMMON will be the preferred ROMMON the next time that the system is booted. You can change the preference as often as you like. The changes do not take effect until you reset the system.

So the new one should be in F1 or F2 and you should select which to use, and the Gold one is always there.

HTH,

Mohammed Mahmoud.

[newbie]

But does it matter which region the upgrade is in. Will things be fine if it is in say F1? If the next day on a whim I move it to the Gold region will that affect anything.

[mohammedmahmoud]

hi,

You can never move it to the Gold region as this is one-time programmable (OTP) EPROM section of the ROMMON.

You can always use the rommon prefer to switch between regions.

You can also disqualify a specific region of ROMMON and use the other region or go back to using the "Gold" ROMMON stored in the OTP EPROM section by using the rommon invalidate command.

HTH,

Mohammed Mahmoud.

[jstigall]

I upgraded the ROMMON on my sup720 IOS box and now I can't log in from the console, and password recovery, setting the confreg to 0x2142 doesn't bypass the config. Also, the interfaces appear to be up, but this (test) 6509 is not reachable or pingable. I upgraded the SP to the latest, V 8.5.1, to be able to run the sup-bootflash adapter.

[mohammedmahmoud]

Hi,

I can't get you correct, how is it that you can't log, and on the other hand you've tried changing the confreg and see the interface status.

Br,

Mohammed Mahmoud.

[jstigall]

Right, the enable password doesn't work, the management interface is up but not reachable. Confreg 0x2142 fails to bring the router up without the configuration.

[jstigall]

I think I'm booting up the system as CATOS instead of IOS. How do I move it back to the Gold region from ROMMON?

rommon 11 >

rommon 11 > set

PS1=rommon ! >

LOG_PREFIX_VERSION=1

SLOTCACHE=cards;

CRASHINFO=bootflash:crashinfo_20060905-065117

BOOT=disk0:,12;

RET_2_RTS=13:56:43 Indiana Fri May 11 2007

TYFIB_BLOCK_ALLOC=

BSI=0

RET_2_RCALTS=

ACL_DENY=0

PF_REDUN_CRASH_COUNT=0

?=0

rommon 12 > reset

System Bootstrap, Version 8.5(1)

Copyright (c) 1994-2006 by cisco Systems, Inc.

Cat6k-Sup720/SP processor with 1048576 Kbytes of main memory

Autoboot executing command: "boot disk0:"

string is disk0:s72033-ipservicesk9_wan-mz.122-18.SXF8.bin

Loading image, please wait ...

[jstigall]

Never mind about CATOs, I guess I still need to know how to switch to GOLD region from ROMMON prompt.

[mohammedmahmoud]

Hi,

The image that is most recently stored into the Flash memory is always labeled as the "preferred" image. If you decide that you do not want this upgrade image, you can switch to the other region or the Gold region using the "rommon prefer" or "rommon invalidate" commands.

HTH, please do rate all helpful replies,

Mohammed Mahmoud.

[jstigall]

'rommon prefer' is an IOS command, not in bootrom mode? If I can't get logged in, I can't change to prefer the other, and I can't bypass the config either to get logged in. I have a TAC ticket open on this, so if you don't have any other ideas, we can let this go.

[mohammedmahmoud]

Hey,

Exciting case, did you try setting the config-reg in this way, and may be also going to boot helper image:

rommon 2

rommon 3 priv

rommon 5 confreg

Configuration Summary

(Virtual Configuration Register: 0x0)

enabled are:

[ 0 ] break/abort has effect

[ 1 ] console baud: 9600

boot: the RM Monitor

do you wish to change the configuration? y/n [n]: y

enable "diagnostic mode"? y/n [n]:

enable "use net in IP bcast address"? y/n [n]:

enable "load rom after netboot fails"? y/n [n]:

enable "use all zero broadcast"? y/n [n]:

disable "break/abort has effect"? y/n [n]:

enable "ignore system config info"? y/n [n]:y

change console baud rate? y/n [n]:

change the boot characteristics? y/n [n]: y

enter to boot:

0 = RM Monitor

1 = the boot helper image

2-15 = boot system

[0]: 2

Configuration Summary

(Virtual Configuration Register: 0x2)

enabled are:

[ 0 ] break/abort has effect

[ 1 ] console baud: 9600

boot: image specified by the boot system commands or default to:

do you wish to change the configuration? y/n [n]:y

You must reset or power cycle for new config to take effect

rommon 6 reset

Please keep us updated with your case, and good luck :)

HTH,

Mohammed Mahmoud.

[jstigall]

I went to 'priv' mode in rommon, invalidated F1 region, did confreg and turned on enable 'ignore system config info', but the system still boots up with a configuration. The rommon is now loading from the Gold region.

-John

[rseiler]

You upgraded the route processor (RP or MSFC3x) bootrom as well?

The commands would have been (from a working IOS switch and a Sup720 in slot 5):

upgrade rom-monitor slot 5 sp file tftp:///

/c6ksup720-rm2.8-5-1.srec

upgrade rom-monitor slot 5 rp file tftp:///

/c6msfc3-rm2.srec.122-17r.SX5

Also, the config is stored in NVRAM on the RP (route processor), *NOT* the SP (switch processor) which is the device that boots first.

Therefore, you need to *BREAK* the boot sequence *AFTER* the boot control is passed to the RP. You then would change the config register on the RP to bypass the config which would allow you to change the enable password.

I don't believe your issue has anything to do with the ROMMON version.

See the following URLs:

Password Recovery Procedure for Catalyst 6500/6000 Series Switches Running Cisco IOS System Software

http://www.cisco.com/en/US/products/hw/switches/ps700/products_password_recovery09186a0080133fb1.shtml

For completeness, if you are running IOS software earlier than 12.2(17)SX:

Password Recovery Procedure for the Catalyst 6500 with Supervisor 720 Running Cisco IOS Software Prior to 12.2(17)SX

http://www.cisco.com/en/US/products/hw/switches/ps708/products_password_recovery09186a00801caa95.shtml

Let me know if this helps you...

[mohammedmahmoud]

Hi,

I totally agree with Richard, you have to recover the RP not the sub, and the links provided by him are nice and should do it for you.

HTH,

Mohammed Mahmoud.