Upgrade path for Cisco 3560X

[Cisco42]

Trying to upgrade IOS version from 12.2(55)SE1  to 15.2.4E10. What are the revisions I need to upgrade to in order to get to desired version? Or can I go directly from 12.2 to 15.2?

[balaji.bandi]

read the relase notes make sure you have enough RAM available :

https://www.cisco.com/c/en/us/td/docs/switches/lan/catalyst2960cx_3650cx/software/release/15-2_4_e/releasenotes/rn-1524e-2960cx-3560cx.html

[Cisco42]

I do not see any upgrade matrix similar to what there is for NXOS. Please let me know where in this doc it shows upgrade path. I assume it would go like this:

12.2-55(SE1) ======> 15.0-1(SE3) ======> 15.2-4(E10)

[balaji.bandi]

You can directly go to the target version, read the release notes and requirements. Nexus is different all compare to this switch.

The only requirement is a Microcode upgrade. (it is part of the upgrade).

[Leo Laohoo · Accepted solution]

Direct upgrade to 15.2 is supported (or achievable) and no intermediate version(s) is/are required. 

However, I strongly recommend using the TAR file and try not to "upgrade" the firmware by copying the BIN file only.  The command to extract the BIN file with the TAR file is:  archive download-sw tftp://<TFTP_IP_ADDRESS>/<TAR_FILE>.tar

Finally, expect a long outage of about 30 minutes because going from 12.2(55)SE to 15.2(4)E is a major upgrade and this means a one-off micro-code upgrade.

[Cisco42]

Thank you for the quick response!

Could you elaborate on why it is recommended to use the TAR file instead of the BIN file? Currently I have the BIN file downloaded to the switch flash. 

Also,  would going through this upgrade path, (12.2-55(SE1) ======> 15.0-1(SE3) ======> 15.2-4(E10), cause less downtime because they would be considered minor upgrades?

Thank you in advance.

[Leo Laohoo · Accepted solution]

IOS Upgrade on Catalyst Switches 2k, 3560/3750 - Easy as Pi

[Cisco42]

Great Information on the slides and during the presentation. Thank you! I have a much better understanding now.