%ILET-1-AUTHENTICATION_FAIL on 2960X after IOS Update

[Heinz Schwarzfeuer]

Hi,

after an IOS update from version c2960x-universalk9-tar.152-2.E6 to c2960x-universalk9-tar.152-4.E6 we are getting the message

%ILET-1-AUTHENTICATION_FAIL: This Switch may not have been manufactured by Cisco or with Cisco's authorization.  This product may contain software that was copied in violation of Cisco's license terms.  If your use of this product is the cause of a support issue, Cisco may deny operation of the product, support under your warranty or under a Cisco technical support program such as Smartnet.  Please contact Cisco's Technical Assistance Center for more information.

every 5 minutes on the console of the 2960X-48-LPS-L switch.

Switch#show license

Index 1 Feature: lanlite

        Period left: 0  minute  0  second

Index 2 Feature: lanbase

        Period left: 0  minute  0  second

We´ve downgraded and upgraded it already to several different versions (and always rebooted it by disconnecting power for at least 5 minutes, neither stacking module nor SFP modules present), but the error message still remains.

Any suggestions?

Many thanks!

Heinz

[Brad Roberts]

I sent the same response below on another post, given the information collected, I felt it was apt to paste it here too.  It might answer a few people's questions who are nervous about upgrading any CISCO 2960X devices because of breakages in the past.

I have been dancing through a minefield of 2960X switches which would see several of them fail in the way which has been described.  After putting together a mortuary of these devices and comparing them with ones that would update, the 3 metrics which you need to lookout for can be spotted when you do a "show version".  They are as follows:

Model revision number	M0
Motherboard revision number	A0
Hardware Board Revision Number	0x18

So, if you do a "show version" and see the see the unholy trinity of M0, A0 and 0x18 appear together in the above metrics, be wary around updating the IOS, this is regardless of the version number of the switch or wherever it was manufactured.

Raising a TAC and RMAing is the only way forward known with regards to this issue.

[Chidojohnkingsley92]

Follow the link below to learn more on this c2960x authentication failed issue.

https://youtu.be/fRrR1MnHsLA?si=nE6SUx4ZK6C_aK92