Nexus 2248 Fabric Extender image

[windell013]

Where is the image file for the Nexus 2248 Fabric Extender stored?  Is there some non-volatile memory on the 2248 Fabric Extender or is it only stored on the parent switch?

[Reza Sharifi]

I think the FEX has flash that can hold the image but it has to match with the parent switch

FEX version: 7.0(8)N1(1) [Switch version: 7.0(8)N1(1)]
FEX Interim version: 7.0(8)N1(1)
Switch Interim version: 7.0(8)N1(1)

HTH

[windell013]

That is what I was thinking as well.  Hence the two image numbers (one for fex and one for switch).  Do you know where I might find that documented someplace?

[Reza Sharifi]

I could not find a good documentation that clearly explain that, but when you think about it, the parent switch always pushes the image to the FEX, so the FEX has to have some sort of flash to be able to keep the image. FEX is more like a module in a chassis that has its own firmware.  

HTH

[Sergiu.Daniluk · Accepted solution]

Hi @windell013,

Cisco Nexus 2000 series is shipped with no software on it. The FEX image is bundled into the system image of the parent switch and is automatically verified, and downloaded during the association process between the parent switch and FEX. The image is stored on the local bootflash of the FEX.
If the FEX is de-attached and attached back to another parrent switch, the SDP (Satellite Discovery Protocol) will check if the local image matches with the image of parent switch or not. If required, the new image is downloaded.

Nexus# show fex 100 detail
<...>
Logs:
08/07/2013 13:01:06.88746: Module Offline
08/07/2013 13:01:06.100565: Deleting route to FEX
08/07/2013 13:01:06.105191: Module disconnected
08/07/2013 13:01:06.109943: Offlining Module
08/07/2013 13:01:40.190901: Module register received
08/07/2013 13:01:40.192222: Registration response sent
08/07/2013 13:01:40.192512: Requesting satellite to download image
<...>

Stay safe,

Sergiu