Upgrade 9200 on power cycle

[paulyoud]

Hi. 

My company has a mixed stock of 2960X and 9200L switches. We run 24/7 and have a patching window for a few hours once a month.  I am in the process of upgrading the IOS on all the switches.  I have sent the IOS to all devices and I changed the boot marker on the 2960s so that if there's a power interruption, we get a "free" upgrade.  My question is can we do the same with the 9200, so that if it loses power or reboots, it will upgrade the switches to an IOS in flash: 

It is just to reduce workload when we have a limited time to carry out our upgrade programme.

[marce1000]

  - I would advise against it for both , look for instance at : https://www.cisco.com/c/en/us/td/docs/switches/lan/catalyst9200/software/release/17-10/release_notes/ol-17-10-9200/upgrading_the_switch_software.html
 >...
 >...The system reloads automatically after executing the install add file activate commit command (which is a 'current command')

    - If you are on 24/7 and or a mission critical networking ; I would not depend on a power loss to complete upgrades , in order
to always follow up on the expected result of an upgrade, (for both platforms)

 M.

[paulyoud]

Thanks for the reply.  We've now had almost 50 2960s repower and upgrade successfully with no issues, so I'm comfortable with that appliance.  I doubt there's a way of doing it with the 9200 but I was asking if there is a way so I can test it in our dev network a few times to see if it's at least feasible

[marce1000]

   - Ok . I think for the 2960s you are rather safe , but for the 9200 I would take more care (indeed)

  M.

[paulyoud]

I tend to agree.  I'm just trying to "cheat" and save planned outage time by "manipulating" unplanned downtime, if you know what I  mean

[shambhu.kumar]

Yes, Agreed with Marce, There will be possibility of unexpected results, which may cause potential impact of services.

Please execute this activity during planned maintenance window.

[paulyoud]

Like I said, I tend to agree. I have your opinions on whether it should be done, but no one has said whether it CAN be done?

[marce1000]

  - In the context of 'can be done'  I would for instance suggest to (always) connect a reference console to one of the 9200L , so if it get's upgraded 'with power loss' ; then you have one reference device where you can review how it performed when booting again (e.g.)

 M.

[Leo Laohoo · Accepted solution]

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@paulyoud wrote:
My question is can we do the same with the 9200, so that if it loses power or reboots, it will upgrade the switches to an IOS in flash: 

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Depends who answers this question. 

The official Cisco line is "NO". 

Un-officially, yes.  Because I do this all the time to our 9500 (9300 uses a different command), ASR 1000, ISR 4000, 9800 WLC.

I would unpack the packages (Install Mode) and set up the "packages.conf" file to point to the new firmware and wait for the power outage to occur.  When the switch/router/WLC boots up, "free" firmware upgrade.  I must've done several hundreds of "stealth" upgrade and I've never had a switch/router/WLC boot into ROMMON nor boot the wrong firmware.

[marce1000]

  ( I would also like to add ) =>  Consider it mandatory to have a network monitoring solution in place when considering
                                                the particular workflow : to have an immediate  look into availability of all switches
                                               after a power interrupt (or not!). I myself use NAGIOS , it's free but requires manual work
                                               to configure ,there are other free network management tools, for Cisco you have 
                                               Catalyst Center , but it is $$.....

  M.

[paulyoud]

Yes we have Nagios and also DNA (or whatever it is called this week).

Thanks

[marce1000]

  - Well there is a big difference between them , NAGIOS is free and  Cisco DNA not , but anyway good to have
    and of course use after a power interruption , (to watch the network)

   M.

[Leo Laohoo]

@paulyoud 

Please have a look at the attached PDF files.  Either one, with some modifications, are applicable to the 9200.

[paulyoud]

Thanks Leo

[paulyoud]

@Leo Laohoo I can't open the attachments