Cisco Catalyst 3850 - Failed to determine free memory on switch

[Marc Aemmer]

Hi everybody,

I'm facing a problem while trying to upgrade a stack-member (standby) in a 3850 stack. The stack-master has got the version 03.06.06E and the stack-member the version 03.06.05E. The following commands led to the error "Failed to determine free memory on switch 2, operation aborted":

- software install source switch 1 switch 2
- software install file tftp: switch 2

Any ideas? I already reloaded the stack-member.

cheers,
Marc

[Reza Sharifi]

Hi,

Please install the same exact IOS version on both the stack master and the stack member and test again.

HTH

[Marc Aemmer]

Hi Reza

That's exatly what I want to try with the commands mentioned. But I always get the error "Failed to determine free memory on switch 2, operation aborted".

Cheers,
marc

[Reza Sharifi]

Hi Marc,

If the stacking is not working correctly, than you may not be able to use this command.  Is there a way for you to load the IOS to switch-2  (flash-2)? One way to find out to see if you can see both flash cards (1 and 2) is by issuing this commands

sh flash-1

sh flash-2

If you can't see flash-2, than you may have disconnect the stacking cable and load the same IOS into switch-2 and than stack them again.

HTH

[Marc Aemmer]

Hi Reza

Both, sh flash and sh flash-2 are working. Any other ideas?

cheers,
Marc

[Reza Sharifi · Accepted solution]

Hi,

That is good news. Can you try copying from flash-1 to flash-2?

copy flash-1:<ios> flash-2

HTH

[Leo Laohoo · Accepted solution]

Failed to determine free memory on switch 2, operation aborted

This sounds like a bug, however, I agree with Reza.  Copy the monolithic IOS (BIN file) into stack member 2 and reboot.  This will force stack member 2 to load the new IOS in Bundle mode.  Once stack member 2 has recovered from the reboot, initiate the Install mode. 

software install source switch 1 switch 2

I would never recommend anyone use this.  When this command is issued, the stack master will "compile" all the files into a BIN file.  When this happens, this is a very CPU-intensive process and this is why I don't recommend it.  It's better to copy the BIN file into the target switch and initiate the Install mode process.

[Marc Aemmer]

I removed the second switch from the stack and updated it with the .bin file. After reconnecting the switch to the stack everything looked good. Thanks for your help!