Downgrade IOS XE from 17.3 to 16.9 on C9200L-48PXG

[MichaelBalzer77353]

Hello,

I have a new C9200L-48PXG switch with IOS XE 17.3 (Amsterdam) which I need to downgrade to 16.9 (Fiji) in order for it to join an already existing StackWise cluster which all run 16.9.

Based on the 17.3 release notes (https://www.cisco.com/c/en/us/td/docs/switches/lan/catalyst9200/software/release/17-3/release_notes/ol-17-3-9200.html#task_d34_n22_kmb) I can only downgrade from 17.3 to 17.2. Is this correct? or is there still a way to downgrade to 16.9?

Regards

[marce1000]

 - Ref : https://www.cisco.com/c/en/us/support/switches/catalyst-9200-r-series-switches/products-release-notes-list.html

  Following subsequent bottom up searching for your model I can see it first being mentioned in : 

             https://www.cisco.com/c/en/us/td/docs/switches/lan/catalyst9200/software/release/16-11/release_notes/ol-16-11-9200.html

                                                     so I would presume it can not run 16.9.x

 M.

[Leo Laohoo]

Not going to work.  PXG are not supported in 16.9.X. 

17.3.4 is scheduled for week 1 of July 2021.  I'd recommending upgrading to this version.

[MichaelBalzer77353]

Thank you for your answer.

So it looks like I really have to upgrade my StackWise cluster from 16.9.2 to 17.3.4.

Can I directly upgrade from 16.9.2. to 17.3.4?

Or is there any special upgrade path to follow such as 16.9 -> 16.10 -> 16.11 -> 16.12 -> 17.1 -> 17.2 -> 17.3.4 ?

Note that my StackWise cluster of switches is in BUNDLE mode if this is of any importance for the upgrade.

[Leo Laohoo]

Direct upgrade from 16.9.X to 17.3.X is do-able.  
NOTE:  Make sure to take the time and read the Release Notes.

[MichaelBalzer77353]

Do you usually the release notes of each intermediary version of simply the latest version which in this case would be the release notes for version 17.3?

[Leo Laohoo]

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@MichaelBalzer77353 wrote:

Do you usually the release notes of each intermediary version of simply the latest version which in this case would be the release notes for version 17.3?

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Yes, I read every Release Notes I am intending to go to.  
Why?  Because I have been caught-out by numerous "gotchas" that can only been identified in the Release Notes.

[MichaelBalzer77353]

Now that version 17.3.4 is out I checked and it seems like there is nothing new, special or fixed specific to 17.3.4 (see: https://www.cisco.com/c/en/us/td/docs/switches/lan/catalyst9200/software/release/17-3/release_notes/ol-17-3-9200.html#concept_pbs_tf2_ypb) and version 17.3.3 is still tagged as suggested version on Cisco software downloads.

Could you tell us more why version 17.3.4 should be chosen instead of officially suggested one by Cisco which is version 17.3.3?

[Leo Laohoo]

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@MichaelBalzer77353 wrote:

officially suggested one by Cisco

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Cisco's "gold" star does not equate to "stable" code.  
Cisco moves "gold" star up and down releases based on the lowest amount of TAC Cases.  

[MichaelBalzer77353]

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@Leo Laohoo wrote:

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@MichaelBalzer77353 wrote:

officially suggested one by Cisco

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Cisco's "gold" star does not equate to "stable" code.  
Cisco moves "gold" star up and down releases based on the lowest amount of TAC Cases.  

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Oh I did not know that. I always thought this was the most "stable" release. Good to know, thanks!

[Leo Laohoo]

@MichaelBalzer77353, 17.3.4 for ASR and ISR has been removed. 

Replacement is a rebuild version, 17.3.4a.