Virtual switching system (VSS) Configuration For Cisco 4500 series switches

[Vivek]

HI Expert , 

i am planning to upgrade one of our production switch from 3:5:3E to 3:8:x , i am going to follow below process 

(1) copy tftp://<TFTP IP address>/<filename.bin> bootflash:

(2) boot system flash bootflash:/<filename.bin

(3) no boot system flash bootflash:/old filename.bin

(4) config-register 0x2102 ( Option : you need to chnage if register valure is not set to 2102 )

(5) wr mem

(6) reload

(7)Apply the same process on other unit (individually) and then configure the pair for VSS

i followed above process last time and i faced the issue with VSS break , can any one one please share document / proceed for upgrade the vss pair switch without any impact or downtime . 

[Mark Malone]

Hi
In this doc read the ISSU upgrade section

https://www.cisco.com/c/en/us/td/docs/switches/lan/catalyst4500/XE3-8-0E/15-24E/configuration/guide/xe-380-configuration/vss.html#pgfId-1322670

[Vivek]

Is ISSU will support from 3:5:3 to 3:8:x ?

[Mark Malone]

no you cant jump that high to 3.8 in issu

Four scenarios will illustrate the restriction:

If you are running a release prior to IOS XE 3.6.0E (3.5.1E, for example), you cannot perform an ISSU upgrade to IOS XE 3.6.0E.

If you are running IOS XE 3.6.0E, you cannot perform an ISSU downgrade to IOS XE 3.5.0E.

If you are running IOS XE 3.6.0E, you can perform an ISSU upgrade to IOS XE 3.6.1E (when released).

If you are running a release after IOS XE 3.6.0E (for example, 3.7.0, when released), you cannot perform an ISSU downgrade to IOS XE 3.5.0E.

[Vivek]

Hi

Thanks for your quick response , could you please let me know steps for ios upgrade , Also I am not sure why VSS will break if we are going to upgrade and reboot switch one by one is VSS pair .

[Mark Malone]

there could be a number of reasons it broke , i always capture my outputs on console while doing something like that so in worst case scenario TAC can look at it and see whats happened if you cant see yourself , i have hit bugs before even doing issu where the chassis has reloaded thats why you always have a planned window to work in , plan for the worst thing to happen, did you collect your show techs the last time you did an upgrade ?

well you cant do issu so you just need to do a standard upgrade like yopu posted on original section BUT as Leo mentioned i would read those releases notes 1st even though your on the correct rommon there maybe other gotchas in there you need to be aware of

[Mark Malone]

heres a non issu upgrade doc for 4500x
http://www.rogerperkin.co.uk/cisco/switching/4500x/how-to-upgrade-ios-on-cisco-4500x-switch/

[Leo Laohoo]

Did someone or anyone read the Release Notes for 3.8.X?  

I hope someone did because there is a strong chance the ROMmon will need be upgraded FIRST before doing an IOS upgrade.  

In case no one did, here is the section where I based my recommendation:  Upgrading the System Software

Follow these guidelines:

• If you are upgrading to Cisco IOS XE Release 3.8.1E and using Supervisor Engine 8L-E, you must upgrade to ROMMON 15.1(1r)SG6 before upgrading the IOS-XE image to 3.8.1E or newer versions.
• If you are upgrading to Cisco IOS XE Release 3.8.xE and plan to use VSS, you must upgrade your ROMMON to version 15.0(1r)SG10. Otherwise, you must upgrade your ROMMON to at least Version 15.0(1r)SG2.
• If you are upgrading to Cisco IOS XE Release 3.8.xE and using Supervisor Engine 7-E or 7L-E, you must use ROMMON version 15.0(1r)SG10 or a higher version (if available).
• If you are upgrading to Cisco IOS XE Release 3.8.0E and using Supervisor Engine 8-E, you must use ROMMON version 15.1(1r) SG5 or later, version or a higher version (if available). 

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[Vivek]

Hi 

Thanks for you prompt response , we are using one rack chassis switch which is support VSS ..please see below output from device . 

THA-AD1-1-SR-CSW-01#sh mod all
Switch Number: 1 Role: Virtual Switch Active

Chassis Type : WS-C4500X-16

Power consumed by backplane : 0 Watts

Mod Ports Card Type Model Serial No.
---+-----+--------------------------------------+------------------+-----------
1 16 4500X-16 10GE (SFP+) WS-C4500X-16 JAE18250BJG
2 8 10GE SFP+ C4KX-NM-8 JAE18220JN3

M MAC addresses Hw Fw Sw Status
--+--------------------------------+---+------------+----------------+---------
1 f40f.1b56.6bd8 to f40f.1b56.6be7 1.1 15.0(1r)SG10 03.05.03.E Ok
2 4c4e.358d.42c8 to 4c4e.358d.42cf 1.0 Ok

Mod Redundancy role Operating mode Redundancy status
----+-------------------+-------------------+----------------------------------
1 Active Supervisor SSO Active

Switch Number: 2 Role: Virtual Switch Standby

Chassis Type : WS-C4500X-16

Power consumed by backplane : 0 Watts

Mod Ports Card Type Model Serial No.
---+-----+--------------------------------------+------------------+-----------
1 16 4500X-16 10GE (SFP+) WS-C4500X-16 JAE17480JAW
2 8 10GE SFP+ C4KX-NM-8 JAE18220JN1

M MAC addresses Hw Fw Sw Status
--+--------------------------------+---+------------+----------------+---------
1 24e9.b342.87d8 to 24e9.b342.87e7 1.1 15.0(1r)SG10 03.05.03.E Ok
2 4c4e.358d.4530 to 4c4e.358d.4537 1.0 Ok

Mod Redundancy role Operating mode Redundancy status
----+-------------------+-------------------+----------------------------------
1 Standby Supervisor SSO Standby hot

[Vivek]

Thanks for your reply .