Cisco IOS (not XE) - how to tell Install vs Bundle mode

[vv0bbLeS]

Hello all,

On Cisco IOS-XE, we can run show version to tell whether the device is in Install or Bundle mode.

On Cisco IOS, what is a good way to tell Install vs Bundle mode? (i.e. the software install IOS upgrade command vs boot system straight to the .bin file?) Would the absence of a boot system statement in the running config be a good indicator that the IOS switch is running in Install mode?

[Kasun Bandara]

@vv0bbLeS hi,

you can use #show version command. 

it will display the mode at front of device model.

you can use both modes but most experts recommends the install mode due to efficiency of the device performance.

[Reza Sharifi · Accepted solution]

Hi,

Install vs bundle is a product of IOS-XE. I don't remember having this option in regular IOS. With IOS usually "sh boot" is the option to show you what is installed on the device. What is the model number of the switch you have?

HTH

[Leo Laohoo · Accepted solution]

IOS-XE uses Install or Bundle Mode. 

Classic IOS does not have this feature/limitation because all class IOS platform will always boot the BIN file.

[vv0bbLeS]

All, thank you for all your responses! Please see the output of show version and show boot below:

Switch#show version
Cisco IOS Software, C3560CX Software (C3560CX-UNIVERSALK9-M), Version 15.2(7)E9, RELEASE SOFTWARE (fc1)
Technical Support: http://www.cisco.com/techsupport
Copyright (c) 1986-2023 by Cisco Systems, Inc.
Compiled Thu 05-Oct-23 04:59 by mcpre

ROM: Bootstrap program is C3560CX boot loader
BOOTLDR: C3560CX Boot Loader (C3560CX-HBOOT-M) Version 15.2(6r)E, RELEASE SOFTWARE (fc1)

Switch uptime is 1 day, 4 hours, 40 minutes
System returned to ROM by power-on
System restarted at 14:00:13 CDT Mon Jun 24 2024
System image file is "flash:c3560cx-universalk9-mz.152-7.E9.bin"
Last reload reason: power-on



This product contains cryptographic features and is subject to United
States and local country laws governing import, export, transfer and
use. Delivery of Cisco cryptographic products does not imply
third-party authority to import, export, distribute or use encryption.
Importers, exporters, distributors and users are responsible for
compliance with U.S. and local country laws. By using this product you
agree to comply with applicable laws and regulations. If you are unable
to comply with U.S. and local laws, return this product immediately.

A summary of U.S. laws governing Cisco cryptographic products may be found at:
http://www.cisco.com/wwl/export/crypto/tool/stqrg.html

If you require further assistance please contact us by sending email to
export@cisco.com.

License Level: ipbase
License Type: Default. No valid license found.
Next reload license Level: ipbase

cisco WS-C3560CX-8PC-S (APM86XXX) processor (revision L0) with 524288K bytes of memory.
Processor board ID XXXXXXXXXXX
Last reset from power-on
2 Virtual Ethernet interfaces
12 Gigabit Ethernet interfaces
The password-recovery mechanism is enabled.

512K bytes of flash-simulated non-volatile configuration memory.
Base ethernet MAC Address       : XX:XX:XX:XX:XX:XX
Motherboard assembly number     : XX-XXXXXX-XX
Power supply part number        : XXX-XXX-XX
Motherboard serial number       : XXXXXXXXXXX
Power supply serial number      : XXXXXXXXXXX
Model revision number           : L0
Motherboard revision number     : B0
Model number                    : WS-C3560CX-8PC-S
System serial number            : XXXXXXXXXXX
Top Assembly Part Number        : XX-XXXXXX-XX
Top Assembly Revision Number    : C0
Version ID                      : V03
CLEI Code Number                : XXXXXXXXXX
Hardware Board Revision Number  : 0x09


Switch Ports Model                     SW Version            SW Image                 
------ ----- -----                     ----------            ----------               
*    1 12    WS-C3560CX-8PC-S          15.2(7)E9             C3560CX-UNIVERSALK9-M    


Configuration register is 0xF

Switch#
Switch#
Switch#
Switch#show boot
BOOT path-list      : flash:c3560cx-universalk9-mz.152-7.E9.bin
Config file         : flash:/config.text
Private Config file : flash:/private-config.text
Enable Break        : yes
Manual Boot         : no
Allow Dev Key         : yes
HELPER path-list    : 
Auto upgrade        : yes
Auto upgrade path   : 
Boot optimization   : disabled
NVRAM/Config file
      buffer size:   524288
Timeout for Config
          Download:    0 seconds
Config Download 
       via DHCP:       disabled (next boot: disabled)
Switch#
Switch#
Switch#
Switch#show run | i boot
boot-start-marker
boot-end-marker
Switch#
Switch#
Switch#
Switch#
Switch#show run all | i boot
boot-start-marker
boot config 
boot-end-marker
no ip dhcp snooping wireless bootp-broadcast enable
event manager detector routing bootup-delay 0
Switch#
Switch#
Switch#

In that output, I don't see any reference to Bundle/Install mode listed anywhere in show version 

Per @Reza Sharifi and @Leo Laohoo 's replies, looking at release notes for several IOS software versions, there is no mention of upgrading the software in Install or Bundle mode (like there is in IOS-XE software release notes), so it seems my understanding was incorrect and that IOS has no concept of Install/Bundle mode, and thus with IOS we always need to boot the .bin file directly. Thank you all!