Re: Cisco switch stack 2960 won't upgrade

KKos · ‎04-09-2020

I tried to upgrade a switch stack with recomended IOS, but the master switch refused to upgrade (the other can be upgraded after reload), I tried reloading the whole stack, individual members bt the problem persists.

The switch is C2960x.

Version I tried to upgrade it to is c2960x-universalk9-mz.152-7.E0a

XAVNCORE01#sh boot
BOOT path-list : flash:/c2960x-universalk9-mz.152-7.E0a.bin
BOOTHLPR path-list : c2960x-universalk9-mz.152-2.E6.bin
Config file : flash:/config.text
Private Config file : flash:/private-config.text
Enable Break : yes
Manual Boot : no
HELPER path-list :
Auto upgrade : yes
Auto upgrade path :
NVRAM/Config file
buffer size: 524288
Timeout for Config
Download: 0 seconds
Config Download
via DHCP: disabled (next boot: disabled)
-------------------
Switch 2
-------------------
BOOT path-list : flash:/c2960x-universalk9-mz.152-7.E0a.bin
Config file : flash:/config.text
Private Config file : flash:/private-config.text
Enable Break : yes
Manual Boot : no
HELPER path-list :
Auto upgrade : no
Auto upgrade path :
-------------------
Switch 3
-------------------
BOOT path-list : flash:/c2960x-universalk9-mz.152-7.E0a.bin
Config file : flash:/config.text
Private Config file : flash:/private-config.text
Enable Break : yes
Manual Boot : no
HELPER path-list :
Auto upgrade : no
Auto upgrade path :
-------------------
Switch 4
-------------------
BOOT path-list : flash:/c2960x-universalk9-mz.152-7.E0a.bin
Config file : flash:/config.text
Private Config file : flash:/private-config.text
Enable Break : yes
Manual Boot : no
HELPER path-list :
Auto upgrade : no
Auto upgrade path :

I am wondering what BOOTHLPR path-list is and if it can couse my troubles.

gordonli · ‎04-09-2020

Searched it should be boot helper.

You may try disable it by "no boot boothlpr", and boot again.

Leo Laohoo · ‎04-09-2020

@KKos wrote:

Version I tried to upgrade it to is c2960x-universalk9-mz.152-7.E0a

Firstly, don't use this version. Use 15.2(7)E2.

@KKos wrote:

BOOT path-list : flash:/c2960x-universalk9-mz.152-7.E0a.bin

Next, is the "upgrade" involve copying the BIN file from the TFTP server into each switch member?

Do you have the bootup process of the switch? Maybe the BIN file is corrupt?

KKos · ‎04-09-2020

What is wrong with this version? It is recommended as from Cisco download page.
I doublechecked MD5 and there are no CRC errors in the copy of bin file.

Leo Laohoo · ‎04-09-2020

@KKos wrote:
What is wrong with this version? It is recommended as from Cisco download page.

Where do I start ... Ok, here goes ...

First, see the version number? Notice the version number ends with a letter ("a") instead of a number? That means the version is a re-build. Rebuilds are not really reliable.
Next, this version was released last year (compared to the latest one that was released 24 March 2020).

@KKos wrote:
but the master switch refused to upgrade

Post the entire bootup process so we can see what the switch is doing (or not).

KKos · ‎04-09-2020

As for your previous question, this is what we did:

1. Download bin files to all of the stack members.

2. Checked for CRC errors (no errors)

3. set bootpath (boot system switch all flash:/c2960x-universalk9-mz.152-7.E0a.bin

4. Reload the stack (firstly by reloading whole stack, then reloading each member individually).

All of the switches upgraded but member 1 (which fristly was master, then I changed it to member 2). I laso tired, after changing master to switch 2, command archive copy-sw /force-reload /overwrite /dest 1 2, but nothing happened.

gordonli · ‎04-09-2020

I think you could try disable the boot helper as I posted.

It may override your configured boot path, so your switch 1 is not booting the version you expected.

Apply the command "no boot boothlpr" in conf t, save and reload.

KKos · ‎04-09-2020

@Leo Laohoo wrote:
Post the entire bootup process so we can see what the switch is doing (or not).

I am not sure I can get this, as I am connecting via SSH.

Leo Laohoo · ‎04-09-2020

Ok, humour me and try the following:
1. Download "c2960x-universalk9-tar.152-7.E2.tar";
2. Use the command to unpack the firmware to the entire stack:

archive download-sw /image tftp://<TFTP_IP_ADDRESS>/c2960x-universalk9-tar.152-7.E2.tar

3. Reboot the switch.

KKos · ‎04-09-2020

Thank you Leo, I will try to do that and let you know.
I'll also remove the boot helper if tht can help.

ckelly · ‎05-08-2020

FYI - has anyone bothered to read the review on 15.2.7.E2? I'm not loading it. Of course, it would not be the first RMA of a stack for loading a "recommended version" that bricked one or more 2960Xs.