Why is this 2950 Model not running the EI version of the IOS?

[Craddockc]

Hello,

I have several older 2950's running on my network. This one in particular became of interest to me because I couldn't set up SSH on it or enable any QoS features on it, so I did some research. What I found was there are basically 2 versions of the IOS, c2950-i6q4l2 or c2950-i6k2l2q4. I also read that the c2950-i6q4l2 IOS versions (like the one in the switch I am referring to) have both the SI and EI feature sets integrated, but the one that gets enabled is entirely dependent upon the switch model you are running it on. Did I understand this correctly? Does the IOS check the hardware on the switch and then decide with feature set to use? If so, what is prohibiting the EI feature set from being enabled on this switch? Is there a way to force the EI feature set to be enabled since it is integrated in this image? I pasted the sh ver output of the switch below.

Cisco Internetwork Operating System Software

IOS (tm) C2950 Software (C2950-I6Q4L2-M), Version 12.1(22)EA12, RELEASE SOFTWARE (fc1)

Copyright (c) 1986-2008 by cisco Systems, Inc.

Compiled Mon 07-Jul-08 23:39 by amvarma

Image text-base: 0x80010000, data-base: 0x80570000

ROM: Bootstrap program is C2950 boot loader

LowerPod2 uptime is 7 weeks, 2 days, 20 hours, 34 minutes

System returned to ROM by power-on

System restarted at 15:25:46 PDT Fri Apr 13 2012

System image file is "flash:c2950-i6q4l2-mz.121-22.EA12.bin"

cisco WS-C2950T-48-SI (RC32300) processor (revision G0) with 20957K bytes of memory.

Processor board ID FHK0935X0L3

Last reset from system-reset

Running Standard Image

48 FastEthernet/IEEE 802.3 interface(s)

2 Gigabit Ethernet/IEEE 802.3 interface(s)

32K bytes of flash-simulated non-volatile configuration memory.

Base ethernet MAC Address: 00:15:62:6D:3D:00

Motherboard assembly number: 73-9102-04

Power supply part number: 34-0965-01

Motherboard serial number: FOC09342W7U

Power supply serial number: PHI0930C3VE

Model revision number: G0

Motherboard revision number: A0

Model number: WS-C2950T-48-SI

System serial number: FHK0935X0L3

CLEI Code Number: CNMRU002RC

Top Assembly Part Number: 800-24111-03

Top Assembly Revision Number: B0

Version ID: N/A

Configuration register is 0xF

Thank you.

Chris.

[Reza Sharifi]

Hi,

The version you have currently should support both EI and SI.

If you need SSH, you can try downloafing the image below with crypto functionality and test again.

C2950 EI AND SI IOS IMAGE

c2950-i6q4l2-mz.121-22.EA14.bin

http://www.cisco.com/cisco/software/release.html?mdfid=275935124&flowid=2399&softwareid=280805680&release=12.1.22-EA14&relind=AVAILABLE&rellifecycle=ED&reltype=latest

C2950 EI AND SI IOS CRYPTO AND WEB BASED DEVICE MANAGER

c2950-i6k2l2q4-tar.121-22.EA14.tar.

HTH

[Craddockc]

Reza,

Thank you for your reply and the link. Is there a reason this switch is not already running the EI version if it is already capable of doing so?

Thanks.

[Reza Sharifi · Accepted solution]

Hi,

It could be because your switch is an SI version. 

Model number: WS-C2950T-48-SI

If you have other switches with the same exact hardware and software and they are running with no issues with SSH enabled than download the c2950-i6q4l2-mz.121-22.EA14.bin again, loaded and test again.  These images are from 2010 and there are limited images out there. I don't think they are supported by Cisco anymore.

HTH

[Leo Laohoo]

Thank you for your reply and the link. Is there a reason this switch is not already running the EI version if it is already capable of doing so?

The "decision" to run enable SI or EI feature set is based on your hardware, particularly your uplink.

If you have fibre optic uplink then the EI software will kick in.  If you have copper uplink then SI will be enabled.

[Craddockc]

Reza, Leo,

I am so grateful for your contributions to this post but now I am really confused . Is it the switch model that matters or just the uplink medium type? In this case I have this switch uplinked to a distribution switch through the Ethernet Gig port, so the situation at hand supports both of your claims. Also, should I download and install the

c2950-i6k2l2q4-tar.121-22.EA14.tar file as well for the web based access?

Thanks.

Chris.

[Craddockc]

I know this thread is quickly becoming laborious to continue with so please bear with me. After further reading I found this:

You must understand that images that begin with c2950-i6q4l2 have both SI and EI feature sets integrated. The model of 2950 that you  use determines the feature set that gets activated. When downloaded,  the image recognizes the hardware and enables the appropriate set of  features, as listed here:

• SI features for WS-C2950-12 and WS-C2950-24 and WS-C2950SX-24 models

• EI features for WS-C2950C-24, WS-C2950T-24,WS-C2950G-12-EI,  WS-C2950G-24-EI, WS-C2950G-24-EI-DC and WS-C2950G-48-EI models and all  2955 models

However, the model of the switch in question (WS-C2950T-48-SI) is not listed. And if the switch model is the deciding factor, what is it about that particular switch model that matters? The particular hardware onboard?

Thanks agina for all your help.

Chris.

[Reza Sharifi · Accepted solution]

Chris,

I believe, it is the capability of the hardware.  In this case since your switch has SI hardware installed, than the EI software features don't not work on it.  I am sure you have already seen this link for comparing the two packages.

http://www.cisco.com/en/US/products/hw/switches/ps628/prod_bulletin09186a00800b3089.html

HTH

[Craddockc]

Thank you everyone for your contributions to my post. I also came to this conclusion. It appears that Cisco simply packaged both Feature sets into the same IOS to save time and money I am sure by just allowing the same IOS choose which feature set it will use depending on the hardware. Thanks again everyone

Chris.