Re: Cisco WS-C3850-24XS-E stack upgrade

s.ghouse123 · ‎11-12-2020

current ios is 03.07.04E want to upgrade to 16.09.06.spa.bin.which version will be stable. unable to find .tar files for that model.please help me out.

Reza Sharifi · ‎11-12-2020

cat3k_caa-universalk9.16.09.06.SPA.bin is the recommended version.

Follow this document to upgrade using the install mode:

see section:

Install Mode

Upgrading from Cisco IOS XE 3.xE to Cisco IOS XE Denali 16.x

Copy New Image to Stack

Link:

https://www.cisco.com/c/en/us/td/docs/switches/lan/catalyst3850/software/release/16-9/configuration_guide/sys_mgmt/b_169_sys_mgmt_3850_cg/upgrading_the_switch_software.html#concept_B3920ABAFC1E4558A0C146C8C1EAE994

HTH

virparma · ‎11-12-2020

There is no bin file for the next generation IOS-XE IOS images.

There are two modes with which you can upgrade. 1. Install mode and 2. Bundled mode.

Install mode:
Just like .tar file upgrade (Seen with Cat2k/3k switches). You would expand the .tar packeges into directory. Likewise, .bin file would be expanded to .pkg files and .conf file. You would point your boot variable to .conf file and boot the IOS.

Bundled mode:
It is just like old fashioned typical upgrade where you just point the boot variable to .bin file and bootup the IOS.

You can fine more information on below given link:
https://content.cisco.com/chapter.sjs?uri=/searchable/chapter/c/en/us/td/docs/switches/lan/Denali_16-1/ConfigExamples_Technotes/Config_Examples/Misc/qos/m_install_vs_bundle.html.xml

Leo Laohoo · ‎11-12-2020

WARNING: I've used this version before and I know, with confidence, that if the stack has a very high uptime (>1 years) the process to unpack the firmware will fail. If this happens, reboot the stack first and then retry Install Mode again.
1. Read the Release Notes.
2. Clean up the flash before and after the stack upgrade

software clean force

3. Copy the firmware file into the stack master

copy tftp://<FILENAME.bin> flash:

4. Unpack the firmware in Install Mode

software install file flash:cat3k_caa-universalk9.16.09.06.SPA.bin new force verb on-reboot

WARNING: I've used this version before and I know, with confidence, that if the stack has a very high uptime (>1 years) the process to unpack the firmware will fail. If this happens, reboot the stack first and then retry Install Mode again.
5. Check the contents of the packages.conf and make sure the pkg files are pointing to 16.9.6

more flash-1:packages.conf | begin for NOVA

NOTE: This command must be run on all switch members (and not just on the switch master).
6. Make sure the boot variable string is pointing to the "packages.conf" file

sh boot

Ideally, the output should look like the output below:

---------------------------
Switch 1
---------------------------
Current Boot Variables:
BOOT variable does not exist

Boot Variables on next reload:
BOOT variable = flash:packages.conf
Manual Boot = no
Enable Break = no
Boot Mode = DEVICE
iPXE Timeout = 0

7. Save the config.
8. Reboot the stack.

IMPORTANT: COLD REBOOT (complete power down of the stack) is highly recommended.
9. Clean up the flash before and after the stack upgrade

software clean force

Leo Laohoo · ‎11-12-2020

3.7.X to 16.X.X is a major upgrade -- There will be a microcode upgrade and this will take about 22 minutes.