Updating Nexus 7000 Supervisor 1 with no network connectivity

[cory.cost]

Hello,

Is there a way to load a new .bin file into the flash of a N7K-SUP1 without TFTP or other network file transfer protocols? If so, where can I find this documentation?

[Mark Malone]

You can do it by USB , put an image on it and transfer directly from usb - flash

http://www.cisco.com/c/en/us/td/docs/switches/datacenter/sw/4_0/nx-os/fundamentals/configuration/guide2/fun_nx-os_book/fun_file_systems.html

[cory.cost]

Thank you, Mark! I will give it a try!

Also, do I need to specify the NIC I am working with if I'm applying an IP address? I try set the IP while connected via putty and COM4 -- it says "No Ethernet Card Found".

Sorry, I haven't worked with networking gear in so long -- but now I need to.

[Mark Malone]

Just console access , you should not need an ip , just serial in putty and your com port on your pc/laptop , once the usb is connected with the images on it you can transfer between usb and flash like below

TEST7K# copy usb1: bootflash:?
  bootflash:///
  bootflash://module-1/
  bootflash://module-2/
  bootflash://sup-1/
  bootflash://sup-2/
  bootflash://sup-active/
  bootflash://sup-local/
  bootflash://sup-remote/
  bootflash://sup-standby/

[cory.cost]

Ok. I am having a different issue then. We got this piece of equipment used. So I don't know the credentials set on it. I am trying to reset it.

All I am able to do is restart it and connect to the "loader>" screen. Nearly everything I run is unrecognized.

[Mark Malone]

You should be able to reset what was on it through loader back to default , this doc shows how for 7k

post what you see it may help if that's does not work

http://www.cisco.com/c/en/us/td/docs/switches/datacenter/sw/password_recovery/b_nx_os_pwr/nx_os_pw.html

[cory.cost]

Hi Mark,

I cannot get it to display Step 11. After I run load bootflash:<insertflashere.bin>, it boots fully and wants the login info. It does not show "switch login:" 

Am I supposed to boot a different .bin file? I'm booting: n7000-s1-dk9.6.1.2.bin

[Mark Malone]

Hi

I haven't had to recover a nexus 7k before would have thought that doc would work well , the doc says use .bin but if you watch this video the guy uses the kickstart image first instead so maybe try it this way

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OELttgSpPGY

[cory.cost]

Yeah, I've followed that one to the T -- no dice.

The new password doesn't work. It also doesn't seem to show all the things while booting that the video shows.

Is there a way to just factory wipe it? What's the little reset button on the front do?

[Mark Malone]

Do you get into switch(boot) at all ? from there you could try---- clear nvram then init system that should wipe startup config completely , you should be able to boot from usb the kickstart image then or try write erase from switch(boot)

[cory.cost]

Yes I can get into switch(boot). However, the supervisor doesn't seem to know that I have a USB stick plugged into it. dir USB1: (or 2) cannot find the drive.

[Mark Malone]

usb needs to be fat or fat32 format , either way even if you can get to boot you could completely wipe it , then when it reboots at least you could get onto it and just stick an ip on the mgmt0 interface and ftp directly onto it from pc through Ethernet

It should recognize the usb though I just stuck one in my test 7k and it came straight up

[cory.cost]

Thanks Mark --  I got a few ideas I'm going to try. You've been a HUGE help! I'll get back with you.

Thanks!

[cory.cost]

Ok. I cleared the NVRAM and ran init system. I'm currently booted into the USB stick containing the .bin kickstart file. How do I copy this file into the bootflash? It seems if I'm in switch(boot)#, it doesn't see the USB. But if I boot into LOADER it does.

[cory.cost]

Hi Mark,

Ok. So, to recap:

I wiped the supervisor. When it boots, it goes directly to loader>. I can either run the generic commands from there or I can boot to my usb drive containing the kickstart file. From, there, I can set the ip address, gateway, no shut, etc. But, I cannot copy from any flash drives to the bootflash and I cannot tftp or ftp. I get "no route to host".

What am I missing? Thank you for your time!