Using xmodem or ymodem protocol in IOS XE 17.3 (on C9300 series switches)

[schulcz]

Hi Guys, 

I have some brand new Catalyst 9300 switches on a remote location, what I need to prepare before it will be deployed. These are switch stacks, and there is a console cable on each stack master device. These console cables connected to a console server, and I can access them through this console server. 

Devices have no other cable attached (except the console cable), so they haven't got IP connection at all, so I can't use any IP based copy method. Currently I have no physical access to devices, so I cannot use a pendrive to copy any files.

I would like to copy the files using a console connection using the xmodem or ymodem protocol. Based on IOS XE 17.3 Configuration Guide these protocols and commands are supported, however the commands does not exist in the device. (see below)

Switch#copy x?
% Unrecognized command
Switch#copy y?
% Unrecognized command
Switch#copy ?
  /erase           Erase destination file system.
  /error           Allow to copy error file.
  /noverify        Don't verify image signature before reload.
  /verify          Verify image signature before reload.
  bootflash:       Copy from bootflash: file system
  cns:             Copy from cns: file system
  crashinfo-1:     Copy from crashinfo-1: file system
  crashinfo-2:     Copy from crashinfo-2: file system
  crashinfo:       Copy from crashinfo: file system
  flash-1:         Copy from flash-1: file system
  flash-2:         Copy from flash-2: file system
  flash:           Copy from flash: file system
  ftp:             Copy from ftp: file system
  http:            Copy from http: file system
  https:           Copy from https: file system
  logging          Copy logging messages
  null:            Copy from null: file system
  nvram:           Copy from nvram: file system
  rcp:             Copy from rcp: file system
  revrcsf:         Copy from revrcsf: file system
  running-config   Copy from current system configuration
  scp:             Copy from scp: file system
  sftp:            Copy from sftp: file system
  startup-config   Copy from startup configuration
  stby-crashinfo:  Copy from stby-crashinfo: file system
  stby-flash:      Copy from stby-flash: file system
  stby-nvram:      Copy from stby-nvram: file system
  stby-rcsf:       Copy from stby-rcsf: file system
  system:          Copy from system: file system
  tar:             Copy from tar: file system
  tftp:            Copy from tftp: file system
  tmpsys:          Copy from tmpsys: file system
  webui:           Copy from webui: file system

Switch#

Devices are running IOS XE 17.03.01

Does anybody have an idea what can I do to transfer new images?

Thanks!

[Georg Pauwen]

Hello,

I cannot find that command in any Catalyst 9300 command reference. Looks like flawed documentation to me...

https://www.cisco.com/c/en/us/support/switches/catalyst-9300-series-switches/products-command-reference-list.html

[Joseph W. Doherty]

Besides, as Georg notes, it's possibly flawed documentation, x and y modem might be "hidden" commands or perhaps only available in ROMMON mode.

[Leo Laohoo · Accepted solution]

X and Y Modem can only be accessed in ROMMON.  

The only option is to get a "minimum" config across the console cable, like IP address, login credentials and then push the rest of the config via TFTP/FTP/SFTP/SCP.

Alternatively, Cisco's DNAC solution is geared up for this sort of scenario.

Unfortunately, DNAC is priced for the "very extremely well funded" Enterprise.  

[schulcz]

Thank to all of You.

I made it by another way (oob mgmt ports get connected to the local network, and copied image through tftp)

[Joseph W. Doherty]

Great!!!

You would find loading an IOS via a console port is a very slow process, especially if the console port is still running at 9.6 Kbps.  (Even comm port's top bps rate is slow, slow, slow compared to typical Ethernet.)

If you were only going to copy config files, the console port usually works okay for that, and sometimes you can do it with a "paste" operation.