Cisco Compatible Micro Router Series

This document provides answers to frequently asked questions about ROM software downloads.

A. The router has lost its FLASH ROM and is running from Boot ROM. This happens when people turn the router off, thinking it has crashed, after downloading a configuration. It takes 60-105 seconds to reprogram the FLASH memory. If the router is powered off during this time, it will lose its operating system.

You must be on the same Ethernet LAN to download software to the router. You will need the diskettes or CD-ROM that came with your router or you can download the current software you need from this web site. In CompatiView, using IPX or AppleTalk, choose Control/Download Software. Choose the router as it is displayed. Using IP, first change the IP address/mask on your workstation to 198.41.12.2/255.255.255.0 and set the gateway to 198.41.12.1. Then, in CompatiView, choose Control/TFTP Download. Enter 198.41.12.1 when requested. Choose the appropriate download file for the router when the file selection window appears.

Command line users may tftp from a Unix host or Windows NT workstation.

After downloading the software, enter the configuration (or import from a file) and download it to the router.

A. Yes, if the router is on the Internet or accessible across a private WAN and any firewall the router is behind will permit access through CompatiView and/or tftp.

For IP, you can use CompatiView for Windows to access the router. Login to the router and select from the menu Control/ Download Software. Follow the prompts. If you are on a UNIX or NT workstation/server and want to use tftp, telnet to the router and enter the "tftp enable" command. You now have 60 seconds to "put" the new code to the router. You might notice that the Control menu also has a tftp option. You can use this option as an alternative to "put". Typically, tftp is only used when the router is running from ROM, in which case you do not need to issue the "tftp enable" command. If your router is running from ROM, the process may be more involved. Open a case with the Technical Assistance Center.

For IPX and AppleTalk, you must use CompatiView. Login to the router and go to the Control menu, then choose Download Software. Follow the prompts. If your router is running from ROM, the process may be more involved. Open a case with the Technical Assistance Center.

A. This usually happens when the router does not have enough buffer space available to hold the downloaded information plus whatever information it needs to store from Flash ROM. Try restarting the router.

If you are updating a 3000E, this may be caused by a non-terminated Ethernet interface. Make sure you set the unused Ethernet port on the RISC Router to 10BaseT with the 3-position switch on the back of the unit. If it's set for Thick or Coax, and they're non-terminated, it could cause this problem.

If you have an early version of the 3000E, you may have to download an intermediate version of software first. See the Compatible Systems Tech Note on 3000E software upgrades.

A. If you just changed the Default Transport Protocol from IP to IPX, close CompatiView and then relaunch CompatiView. If no devices appear in the list, power off both the device and the workstation. Power on the device first, wait about 30 seconds, then power on the workstation. If there is an existing IPX network, both the device and the workstation should now be on the same IPX network. Launch CompatiView and try again. If this fails, isolate the Compatible Systems device and the workstation on their own network and re-try the above procedure.

A. Open Transport may be suspect. Upgrade your workstations to OT version 1.2 or later and try again.