boot system bootflash at c9800

Leftz · ‎08-13-2021

Hi, The below is part of output of show run of C9800 wlc . What is that meaning with packages.conf ? Is this normal?

Thanks

WLC#show running | i boot

boot-start-marker
boot system bootflash:packages.conf
:C9800-L-universalk9_wlc.17.05.01.SPA.bin
boot-end-marker

Arshad Safrulla · ‎08-13-2021

Yes it is normal, this mean your WLC is running in Install mode which is Cisco's recommendation for 9800's.

The install mode uses pre-extracted files from the binary file into the flash in order to boot the controller. The controller uses the packages.conf file that was created from the extraction as boot variable.

You can also boot from the .bin file, but not recommended though.

I don't recommend running the :C9800-L-universalk9_wlc.17.05.01.SPA.bin code unless you have tested it extensively or using just because you must use a new feature available only in this image.

https://www.cisco.com/c/en/us/support/docs/wireless/catalyst-9800-series-wireless-controllers/217050-convert-installation-mode-between-instal.html

___________________________________________
TAC recommended codes for AireOS WLC's
Best Practices for AireOS WLC's
TAC recommended codes for 9800 WLC's
Best Practices for 9800 WLC's
Cisco Wireless compatibility matrix
___________________________________________
Arshad Safrulla

Leo Laohoo · ‎08-13-2021

@Leftz wrote:

Hi, The below is part of output of show run of C9800 wlc . What is that meaning with packages.conf ? Is this normal?

This is going to be the new "normal".

IOS-XE is a totally different monster compared to "classic IOS". In classic IOS, for example, it requires only ONE command to extract the files off a TAR file. With IOS-XE, it is more "intensive" & more effort:

One command to extract the package files
One command to clean up the flash
A command to install SMU
A set of commands to verify the package.conf is pointing to the correct package files
Another set of command to change the boot variable string.

Make sure to read the Release Notes very carefully.

NOTE: I am not talking about "just" the WLC but anything that runs on IOS-XE.

Make sure to verify the contents of the packages.conf file: more flash:packages.conf

Look at the right-hand side of "page" 2 and make sure the IOS-XE version matches the version the appliance/platform is meant to load.

Leftz · ‎08-16-2021

When it shows below message, it should be Install mode. do you think so?

boot-start-marker
boot system bootflash:packages.conf
:C9800-L-universalk9_wlc.17.05.01.SPA.bin
boot-end-marker

Leo Laohoo · ‎08-16-2021

@Leftz wrote:

When it shows below message, it should be Install mode. do you think so?

boot-start-marker
boot system bootflash:packages.conf
:C9800-L-universalk9_wlc.17.05.01.SPA.bin
boot-end-marker

No, it is not. Like I said, IOS-XE requires more effort just to get a simple task of IOS-XE upgrade to work correctly.

Post the complete output to the following commands:

dir
more flash:packages.conf
sh boot