Cisco WS-C4503-E VSS Switch upgradation procedure

[preetpeethambaran]

Hi,
I am looking for complete step by step upgradation commands for Cisco WS-C4503-E switches in VSS, as we have a scheduled activity next week for IOS upgradation.
 
Currently Cisco 4503 is running on 03.07.03.E Version, please let me know the latest stable Cisco recommended version to be upgraded.

[Mark Malone]

Hard reboot yes , i wouldnt do ISSU on 45s its very flakey failed multiple times for us anyway
what supervisor are you running ?

Add the chosen file to the boot flash and slavebootflash like below

set the bootvar and save it and check it , reload standby and reload active , then check everything again

redundancy reload peer

redundancy force-switchover

sh run | i boot
boot-start-marker
boot system bootflash:cat4500es8-universalk9.SPA.03.08.07.E.152-4.E7.bin
boot system bootflash:cat4500es8-universalk9.SPA.03.08.06.E.152-4.E6.bin
boot-end-marker

sh bootvar
BOOT variable = bootflash:cat4500es8-universalk9.SPA.03.08.07.E.152-4.E7.bin,12;bootflash:cat4500es8-universalk9.SPA.03.08.06.E.152-4.E6.bin,12;
CONFIG_FILE variable does not exist
BOOTLDR variable does not exist
Configuration register is 0x2102

Standby BOOT variable = bootflash:cat4500es8-universalk9.SPA.03.08.07.E.152-4.E7.bin,12;bootflash:cat4500es8-universalk9.SPA.03.08.06.E.152-4.E6.bin,12;
Standby CONFIG_FILE variable does not exist
Standby BOOTLDR variable does not exist
Standby Configuration register is 0x2102

dir bootflash:cat4500es8-universalk9.SPA.03.08.07.E.152-4.E7.bin
Directory of bootflash:/cat4500es8-universalk9.SPA.03.08.07.E.152-4.E7.bin

73451 -rw- 514855624 Jan 29 2019 10:22:17 +00:00 cat4500es8-universalk9.SPA.03.08.07.E.152-4.E7.bin

1708220416 bytes total (452812800 bytes free)
#dir slavebootflash:cat4500es8-universalk9.SPA.03.08.07.E.152-4.E7.bin
Directory of slavebootflash:/cat4500es8-universalk9.SPA.03.08.07.E.152-4.E7.bin

8169 -rw- 514855624 Jan 29 2019 11:29:23 +00:00 cat4500es8-universalk9.SPA.03.08.07.E.152-4.E7.bin

1708220416 bytes total (453079040 bytes free)

[preetpeethambaran]

Switch is running on Sup 7L-E 10GE,
 I am still bit confused, so ISSU is not the recommended method of upgrade right.
 
Is there any KB article for the second method. Just to get more clarity, please let me know if below is the complete VSS upgradation step for second method.
1) Upload latest ios image on active & standby 4503-E switches.
    copy tftp: bootflash:     -- Active switch 
    copy tftp:  slavebootflash:    -- Standby switch
2) Configure the boot image to newly uploaded ios  & save configuration
   boot system flash bootflash:ios.bin     -- Active switch
   boot system flash slavebootflash:ios.bin   - Standby switch
3) Reload standby switch first & then active switch.
 redundancy reload peer   -- Standby switch
 redundancy force-switchover  or   redundancy reload self   --  Active switch
Please let me know, if there are any details missing/to be modified for the VSS upgradation for C4503-E switches.
Also, please suggest  the latest stable ios version & is ROMMON upgrade required before an IOS upgradation
Below are the version details.
CORE-SW#sh run | section boot
boot-start-marker
boot system flash bootflash:cat4500e-universalk9.SPA.03.07.03.E.152-3.E3.bin
boot system flash bootflash:cat4500e-universalk9.SPA.03.07.00.E.152-3.E.bin
boot-end-marker
 
CORE-SW#sh version
Cisco IOS Software, IOS-XE Software, Catalyst 4500 L3 Switch  Software (cat4500e-UNIVERSALK9-M), Version 03.07.03.E RELEASE SOFTWARE (fc3)
Technical Support: http://www.cisco.com/techsupport
Copyright (c) 1986-2016 by Cisco Systems, Inc.
Compiled Thu 14-Jan-16 10:32 by prod_rel_team
 
Cisco IOS-XE software, Copyright (c) 2005-2015 by cisco Systems, Inc.
All rights reserved.  Certain components of Cisco IOS-XE software are
licensed under the GNU General Public License ("GPL") Version 2.0.  The
software code licensed under GPL Version 2.0 is free software that comes
with ABSOLUTELY NO WARRANTY.  You can redistribute and/or modify such
GPL code under the terms of GPL Version 2.0.
(http://www.gnu.org/licenses/gpl-2.0.html) For more details, see the
documentation or "License Notice" file accompanying the IOS-XE software,
or the applicable URL provided on the flyer accompanying the IOS-XE
software.
 
ROM: 15.0(1r)SG11
MAFF-HO-CORE-SW uptime is 34 weeks, 3 days, 22 hours, 48 minutes
Uptime for this control processor is 34 weeks, 3 days, 22 hours, 49 minutes
System returned to ROM by power-on
System restarted at 12:09:52 GST Wed Nov 21 2018
System image file is "bootflash:cat4500e-universalk9.SPA.03.07.03.E.152-3.E3.bin"
Jawa Revision 7, Winter Revision 0x0.0x41

[Leo Laohoo]

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@preetpeethambaran wrote:

   boot system flash slavebootflash:ios.bin   - Standby switch

---

This is unnecessary. 

---

@preetpeethambaran wrote:

Also, please suggest  the latest stable ios version & is ROMMON upgrade required before an IOS upgradation

---

YOU need to read the Release Notes (not us).  

[javi1988]

Edit

[Leo Laohoo]

Read the Release Notes carefully.  There are certain versions which require a ROMMON upgrade before an IOS upgrade can be conducted.  

Cisco method of VSS IOS upgrade can be found HERE.

Alternate method can be found HERE.