WS-C3650-48PS - Need to upgrade code on 5 switch stack, best practice?

[suisse]

Hello,

I need to upgrade a WS-C3650-48PS with 5 switches (active, standby, 3x members) to a newer code version.  

What is the best way to do this without causing code mismatches and potential disasters?

Do you load the image on all 5 switches, leave them running and then reload the entire stack once complete?   Do you load them one each switch and reboot them as loaded?

How would you do this given the information above.

Could you link to any relevant whitepaper or guide if handy.  Thank you all.

[Reza Sharifi]

Hi,

Follow the upgrade guidelines in this link:

https://www.cisco.com/c/en/us/td/docs/switches/lan/catalyst3650/software/release/3se/system_management/configuration_guide/b_sm_3se_3650_cg/b_sm_3se_3650_cg_chapter_010101.html

HTH

[suisse]

Thanks for that link.  I have read that paper, however I have a question that maybe I am not seeing.

*(this switch is in INSTALL mode)

When you load the image via:

software install file tftp://xyz

Do you keep moving along the switches or do you reload the switch like the instruction seem to say? 

I assume if I reload the switch (thus reloading the stack) won't I now have 1 switch with new code, 4 switches with old code and a version mismatch, blocking my access ?

I think I am looking for clarification on the process of going through the switches properly and loading them up without taking out the switch in the process

[Reza Sharifi]

You should not lose connectivity to the switch because the software is different. There is a section in the link that explains how to copy the image from one switch to others:

Copying IOS XE Package and Bundle Files from One Stack Member to Another Example

This example shows a 2-member stack where each device is running a different (but compatible) software package. The software install source switch command is used to install the packages that are currently running on the standby device (device 1) onto the active device (device 2):

[Leo Laohoo]

What is the current version and what version are you planning to go to?
Software upgrade command for 3.X and 16.X are totally different.

[suisse]

• The current Version 03.06.03E RELEASE SOFTWARE (fc3)
• TAC wants me to go to: version 3.6.6E 

[Leo Laohoo]

The link Reza posted is correct.

[suisse · Accepted solution]

Here is what I was looking for from TAC:

For more information about upgrading the 3650 stack kindly refer to the bellow link

https://www.cisco.com/c/en/us/support/docs/switches/catalyst-3850-series-switches/117552-technote-cat3850-00.html

it’s a simple procedure you want to make sure to copy the image on each flash

after that you can change the boot statement for all switches and then save the configuration and reload the whole stack

Hope this helps someone