Upgrade path from 3.6.5E to 16.12.5b for C3850

[imam.syuhada]

Hi, we have Cisco WS-3850-24T-S with 3.6.5E existing version. We want to upgrade it to 16.12.5b. Is there any upgrade path scenario for this upgrade? Or we can directly upgrade to 16.12.5b?

Thanks and regards.

[Leo Laohoo · Accepted solution]

NOTE:  Avoid 16.12.X because it is very buggy.  

Direct upgrade from 3.X.X to 16.X.X is achievable.  Be aware this is a major upgrade -- This means an automatic ROMMON upgrade and can take up to 20 minutes. 

[imam.syuhada]

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@Leo Laohoo wrote:

NOTE:  Avoid 16.12.X because it is very buggy.  

Direct upgrade from 3.X.X to 16.X.X is achievable.  Be aware this is a major upgrade -- This means an automatic ROMMON upgrade and can take up to 20 minutes. 

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Hi, thanks for your answer. Is there any IOS version you would recommend? Which more stable and less bug

[Leo Laohoo]

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@imam.syuhada wrote:

Hi, thanks for your answer. Is there any IOS version you would recommend? Which more stable and less bug

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16.6.10 and the latest 16.9.X are good. 

IMPORTANT:  Read the Release Notes carefully and upgrade the IOS using Install Mode.

[imam.syuhada]

Sure, thanks for your advice. I will discuss it with my team.

[manuelmaiztegui]

I know this is an old thread but I just upgraded a few 3850s from 3.X.X to the latest 16.12.07 with no issues.
I used the following commands:
#request platform software package clean switch all (to cleanup and make space on flash)
#request platform software package install switch all file usbflash0:/cat3k_caa-universalk9.16.12.07.SPA.bin (directly from USB drive)
Hope this helps.