Cisco 9500-16X

[Noovi]

Hello Guys,

we have one 9500-16X and we need to upgrade its image from 16.12.4 to 17.9.4a.

I am having one doubt that what steps required to upgrade its rommon?

Currently rommon image is 16.12.2r and i found that to upgrade its rommon & image we need to follow below steps

1. Upload 17.9.4a to Switch

2. Then run command - 

upgrade rom-monitor capsule primary switch

3. then follow install method to extract packages-

install add file flash: cat9k_iosxe.17.09.04a.SPA.bin activate commit

4 And follow the reboot

Just want to confirm if step 2 is only required for upgrading its rommon? Any comments?

[Reza Sharifi]

Hi,

According to the config guide, it appears to be the correct way of doing it

• On the C9500-12Q, C9500-16X, C9500-24Q, C9500-40X models of the series, you must manually upgrade the ROMMON in the primary SPI flash device, if a new version is applicable, and the release you are upgrading from is Cisco IOS XE Gibraltar 16.12.1 or a later release. (So if you upgrade from Cisco IOS XE Gibraltar 16.11.1 for example, a manual upgrade does not apply; the ROMMON is automatically updated, if applicable). Enter the upgrade rom-monitor capsule primary switch command in privileged EXEC mode.https://www.cisco.com/c/en/us/td/docs/switches/lan/catalyst9500/software/release/17-2/configuration_guide/sys_mgmt/b_172_sys_mgmt_9500_cg/bios_protection.html

• HTH

[Leo Laohoo]

The firmware will automatically upgrade the ROMMON during the first bootup of 17.9.4a.

I do not recommend anyone perform the Golden Capsule Upgrade for the following reasons: 

1.  Poor quality control of the codes can corrupt the backup ROMMON and disable the switch at the ROMMON level. 

2.  The switch has Enhanced Limited Lifetime Hardware Warranty included in the price.  If the ROMMON gets corrupt, RMA the switch.