Cisco Switch 6509-E Firmware upgrade procedure

[CB90021204]

Hi,

I'm wanting to deploy QoS on our 6509-E switches. They are currently running firmware 12.2(33)SXH and haven't been rebooted in 7 years. Due to their function in the business, I'd rather not reboot them in case they don't come back. The 6509 does have two SUP modules installed. Firmware 12.2(33)SXH doesn't display the 'auto qos' command which makes me wonder how much QoS functionality this 7 year old firmware version will have.

Could I use firmware version 12.2(33)SXH to implement QoS on the 6500 switch? Perhaps I could get the 'auto qos' macro which is included in the later firmware releases and manually run it? Is it possible to update the firmware without rebooting the switch using the two SUP modules? 

Thanks,

[Leo Laohoo · Accepted solution]

Is it possible to update the firmware without rebooting the switch using the two SUP modules? 

No. 

If the line cards are >7 years old then read THIS.  

[CB90021204]

Thanks Leo.

[Leo Laohoo]

Happy to be of assistance.