Software version is different so extracting the whole bundle.

[dtango2010]

Hello,

I've just upgraded IOS (c2960x-universalk9-mz.152-2.E6.bin) on a pair of WS-C2960X-24TS-L switches and build a stack.

During the boot process, there was a message on the console that worries me a bit:

...

POST: ACT2 Authentication : End, Status Passed
extracting front_end/front_end_ucode_info (43 bytes)
Software version is different so extracting
the whole bundle

SM: Detected stack cables at PORT1 PORT2

Waiting for Stack Master Election...
POST: Thermal, Fan Tests : Begin
POST: Thermal, Fan Tests : End, Status Passed

POST: PortASIC Stack Port Loopback Tests : Begin
POST: PortASIC Stack Port Loopback Tests : End, Status Passed

...

I didn't pay much attention to this in the past, so I can't say if this message was before, or it appears after I did an IOS upgrade.
Is it something that I have to investigate?

Please advise.

Best,

Alex

[Georg Pauwen]

Hello Alex,

I think this message always occurs when upgrading to a newer (15.x) IOS. According to Cisco, with new IOS versions, you will see the microcode getting updated (which will take 30-45 minutes when the switch is booted for the first time; the switch will boot normally afterwards).

Switches have a small MCU(MicroController Unit) to offload processing of some of the hardware interfaces like POE , Fan, power supply etc. (the actual details vary by SKU).
Programming front end microcode should only happen once when upgrading to a higher version with newer microcode.

So this message is normal and not to worry about...

[dtango2010]

Hello Georg, 

Thank you for the response. 

Both switches came with c2960x-universalk9-mz.152-2.E5.bin on-bord.

So, what I did was just an upgrade to version c2960x-universalk9-mz.152-2.E6.bin (not a major change, I hope).

Also, the upgrade of IOS took me not more than 15-20 min, and after the switch started I haven't seen any messages about microcode upgrade. 

So like you said, I hope the message is normal and I should not worry about it.

Thks, 

Alex.

[Georg Pauwen]

Alex,

this message seems to be part of the stack upgrade. I assume everything is working well after the upgrade ?

[dtango2010]

Hello Georg

Yes, all look good so far, but there is nothing connected to the stack. 

I'm going to put this stack in production only in a few days.

Best,

Alex