Replace 6500 with 9500

[Ravs]

Hi Guys

We are working on a plan to migrate the 6500 Switch to 9500 Switch. The new switches will use the VSL. I just needed your advise on the following please.

1. Do we need to start the whole configuration by setting basic configuration such as host name and then SVL with DAD.

2. Would the latest IOS XE be Gibraltar since I saw on cisco.com that it has been the latest release.

3. The normal IOS commands on the basic configuration, Vlans, access lists, etherchannel, etc will it work directly on the 9500. I am thinking of creating a configuration from the 6500 and paste on the 9500. Or that there needs to be further amendments.

4. Please if you can give any advice so that we can boost the performance.

Any help will be very much appreciated.

Regards

[Reza Sharifi]

Hi,

I have not used the 9500 series yet but most of the command should be the same. I recommend copying a portion of the config from the 6500 into notepad, modifying as needed and than paste into the new 9500. Again, at least 80% of the command should be the same.

HTH

[balaji.bandi]

I have replaced a couple of 6509E to Cat 9500.

the configuration depends on your existing setup of 6509E ( some QoS other things need to take into consideration)

if your IOS already latest and you have Sup-2t with 15.X.X  code you should be ok.

We are working on a plan to migrate the 6500 Switch to 9500 Switch. The new switches will use the VSL. I just needed your advise on the following please.

1. Do we need to start the whole configuration by setting basic configuration such as host name and then SVL with DAD.

BB - this is totally new since 6509 is VSS - here is guide to setup one.

https://www.cisco.com/c/dam/en/us/products/collateral/switches/catalyst-9000/nb-06-cat-9k-stack-wp-cte-en.pdf

2. Would the latest IOS XE be Gibraltar since I saw on cisco.com that it has been the latest release?

Gil 16.12.X  is suggested (there are some caveats - when i deploying but not applicable for my setup, so suggest to read release notes)

here is my blog with setup :

http://www.balajibandi.com/2019/10/11/cat-9500-stack-wise-virtual-configuration/

3. The normal IOS commands on the basic configuration, Vlans, access lists, EtherChannel, etc will it work directly on the 9500. I am thinking of creating a configuration from the 6500 and paste on the 9500. Or that there need to be further amendments.

BB - since you preparing offline, you can paste most of the interface commands that should work. if any issue you can tweak as per the requirement before you move to production and cutover.

4. Please if you can give any advice so that we can boost the performance.

BB - I would suggest run both side by side and cut over the links old to new so you know any issues, so you can have role back to old setup easy to restore the services.

Any help will be very much appreciated.

Suggest making some migration plan understand the dependencies and how you can role back with minimal downtime of services.

I hope this makes sense?

[Ravs]

Thanks a lot Mr.Balaji

I will go through it. Also when we will insert this switch, The VTP revision number will be lower than the clients. So it would mean that the clients will not be updated with any additional VTP updates unless we reboot the client switches. The number of clients switches is high. Is there any solution for this. We want to refrain from rebooting all the switches.

Also would you have any documents where we can read about how to configure multiple VTP domains. Example, Building A, all switches will have the VTP Domain as BldgA whilst Building B will have the VTP domain as BldgB. Both Building A and Building B will have switchport mode trunk connection to the 9500. We want to implement this in the network.

I will be most grateful for your assistance and advice on this.