Which common IOS image version?

[#1]

I have a switch stack which is a combination of Catalyst 3750Gs and 3750Xs. From what I have read the X and G models are fully stack compatible(?) from a stackwise point of view but my query is with the IOS version: on the download page for the G models, for example, an IP base image I can download is:

c3750-ipbasek9-mz.150-1.SE3.bin

whereas for the X models it is:

c3750e-universalk9-mz.150-1.SE3.bin

If I can indeed stack them together, how can I have a common IOS image that works for all of the switch types in the stack being as the images are markedly different for the two models. I ask because the stack is currently booted from c3750-ipbasek9-mz.150-1.SE3.bin and it is a bit flaky to say the least! If I wanted to upgrade the stack, which one should I use?

Thanks in advance.

[Leo Laohoo]

Unless you're looking for features only found in 15.X, stick with 12.2(55)SE train due to stability.

[#3]

Ok, maybe it was a bad example lol. What I mean is, in downloads for the 3750G I have:

c3750-ipbasek9-mz.122-55.SE11.bin

whereas for the 3750X I have:

c3750e-ipbasek9-mz.122-55.SE11.bin

That little 'e' meaning it is a different IOS download file for the two different types of switches I have in the stack. Do I use the 'e' version or non-'e' version to go on the stack as a whole?

Thanks

[Joseph W. Doherty]

The original 3750 StackWise series vs. the StackWisePlus series have different hardware, which is why they use different binary images.

What you need to insure is that the StackWise software on your different models in a stack is compatible, which is easiest to accomplish if the IOS versions are the same.  For example, your two 12.2(55)SE11 images.

For the E/X series, they use licenses plus a "universal" image to obtain advance features.  The "universal" image, though, also supports IPBase.  I.e. for IPBase features you can use either image.

BTW, although you can stack StackWise and StackWisePlus 3750s, the latter give up their "Plus" features.  Because of that, I recommend you don't mix the two series within the same stack, unless your really need to.

[#5]

Thanks for that. I  am obviously missing something in upgrading switch stacks. The CCNA I did doesn't cover any of this!

So am I right in thinking that I have to download BOTH the e and non-e images and upgrade the individual switches in the stack with the appropriate e/non-e version (in my case e on the two 3750Xs and non-e on the six 3750Gs in the stack)? Cisco documentation for mixed models in a switch stack and management of the stack software is awful!

[Joseph W. Doherty]

Yes, with a mixed stack, you'll need both images.

I also recall (?) with a mixed stack you cannot use the archive and TAR file method, you need to copy the bin images to the individual stack members and update each of their bootvars.

[#7]

Brilliant. That's what I'll do. Thanks for the info.