IOS Version Updates Question

[DuncanM2008]

Hi All,

I've got an issue regarding IOS updates that I can't seem to get an definitive answer for.

If you've got a say a 2 year old Catalyst 3560 that's running c3560-i9-mz.122-20.SE4 could I using my own Cisco Account download the latest IOS version of the particular feature set and upgrade the switch?

I'm enquiring from a licensing perspective, i.e. I know i can download the IOS images without issues but is upgrading them legitimate without a valid Cisco Service Contract or SMARTnet agreement?

I'm only curious for same feature set upgrades as I'm pretty 100% different feature set moves is illegal without purchasing that IOS from Cisco.

I'm after a black white this is what you need to be able to IOS upgrade switch etc.....

Our Cisco Distributor can't give us an answer on this by the way...

Cheers,

[Collin Clark]

You can upgrade as long as you stay in your feature set. I assuming you have SmartNet.

http://www.cisco.com/en/US/services/ps2827/ps2978/services_qa0900aecd8042b4d6.pdf

[Richard Burts]

Collin

You are assuming that there is a valid service contract. But this part of the original post makes me think that there is not a valid service contract in effect for the device:" is upgrading them legitimate without a valid Cisco Service Contract of SMARTnet agreement?".

It is clear that changing feature sets does require purchase of a license for the upgrade. And it is clear that with a valid Service Contract that upgrading versions within the same feature set is legitimate. It is not so clear about upgrading versions within the same feature set without a Service Contract. But I believe that it is not legitimate to upgrade versions without a valid Service Contract in effect. I know that it is done a lot to upgrade versions without a service contract. But to be legally compliant and legitimate I believe that a Service Contract is required.

HTH

Rick

[DuncanM2008]

So if I read that correctly you've got to have a SMARTnet contract to be entitled to same feature set upgrades?

Therefore without a SMARTnet contract you can't upgrade to any newer versions you've got to keep the same IOS version?

Thanks,

[Collin Clark]

I have no offical document/link on this but if you do not have SmartNet you can upgrade in your current train and feature set only. You can not jump into the next major revision of IOS. For example if you are in 12.2.53 you can upgrade to 12.2.53-SE2, but you can't upgrade to 12.2.55.

[DuncanM2008]

It would appear 12.2 (20) has no same train available updates from Cisco's site.

The earliest i can find is 12.2 (35) which presumably is the next major version and would require a SMARTnet agreement?

Also the 12.2 (20) I've got is the old IOS naming conventions, are these even supported at all by Cisco now?

Cheers,

[Leo Laohoo]

It would appear 12.2 (20) has no same train available updates from Cisco's site.

I'm trying to understand why you want to upgrade your switches from a very old IOS to another very old IOS.

[DuncanM2008]

I don't thank god

In reality I want to upgrade from 12.2 (20) SE4 to the latest incarnation i.e. 12.2 (55) but the devices don't hold a SMARTnet contract so I'm trying to find out for sure if that's what is needed to accomplish the upgrade.

Thanks,

[Leo Laohoo]

Ahhhh ... Yes.  You need SMARTnet.