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Upgrade the Software Image on a Cisco Router
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Upgrade the Software Image on a Cisco Router




Introduction

This document explains how to upgrade the Cisco IOS® software image on your Cisco router. This document applies to Cisco 830, 1700, 1800, 2600, and 2800 Series Routers.


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Requirements

To perform the steps described in this document, you need to have these items:

  • A PC with an Internet connection

  • A crossover Ethernet cable

  • TFTP server software on the PC

    Note: If your PC does not have TFTP server software installed, refer to Set Up a TFTP Server for instructions.

  • A new Cisco IOS software image provided to you by the SMB Technical Assistance Center (SMB TAC)

  • Approximately 1 hour of network downtime


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Upgrade the Software Image

Note: This procedure requires you to erase all files in flash memory when you install the new Cisco IOS software image. You will have to re-install Security Device Manager (SDM) after you install the new Cisco IOS software image.

Obtain the Software Image File

Follow these steps to obtain a new software image:

  1. If you have a software problem that requires an upgrade, contact the SMB TAC to obtain the software image you need.

  2. Once you receive the software, take note of the exact name of the image file.

    The file will have a similar name to this example:

    c2600-i-mz.122-28.bin

  3. Place the software image file in your C:\TFTP-Root directory.

Connect the Router to the PC

Connect the router and the PC. Perform a ping test to verify connectivity.

  1. Change your PC IP address to an address that matches the router Ethernet IP address you entered in the LAN Addressing Worksheet (fieldsL6A and L2A). For example, if your router has IP address 192.168.10.1, change your PC to 192.168.10.2. To change your PC IP address, go to Control Panel > Network and Dial-Up Connections > TCP/IP Properties. For more information on how to configure an IP address on your PC, refer to Configure an IP Address on Your PC.

  2. Connect the crossover cable to the RJ-45 Ethernet port of your PC and the yellow Ethernet port of the router.

    router-upgrade-01.gif

  3. Verify that your PC can send traffic to the router with a ping test.

    1. Go to Start > Run

    2. Type command or cmd to launch a DOS prompt.

    3. Type ping router IP address and press Enter.

    For more information on how to do a ping test, refer to Troubleshoot Ethernet Connectivity.

    router-upgrade-02.gif

Copy the Software Image File to the Router

To copy the software image file to your router, follow these steps:

  1. Launch your TFTP Server application.

  2. Create a HyperTerminal connection to your router. For more information, refer to Create a HyperTerminal Connection.

  3. Log into the router with the username and password you entered in the Internet Worksheet (fields B10 and 11).

  4. Type enable to enter privileged mode.

    Router> enable
    Password:
    Router#
  5. Type copy tftp://tftp server IP address/IOSImageName.bin flash: and press Enter, and then press Enter again to confirm the destination filename.

    Router# copy tftp://192.168.10.2/c2600-i-mz.122-28.bin flash:
    Destination filename [c2600-i-mz.122-28.bin]?
    Accessing tftp://192.168.10.2/c2600-i-mz.122-28.bin...
    
  6. Type y and press Enter to confirm that you want to erase the files in flash memory.

    Erase flash: before copying? [confirm]y
    

    caution Caution: This step will erase all files in flash memory and then install the new software image.

  7. Press Enter to confirm that you want to remove all files.

    Erasing the flash:1 filesystem will remove all files! Continue? [confirm]
    Erasing device... eeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee
    eeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee
    eeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee ...erased
    Erase of flash:1: complete
  8. The router displays a message similar to this example when the file transfer begins:

    Loading //tftp-root/c2600-i-mz.122-28.bin from 192.168.10.2 (via FastEthernet0): !!!!!
    !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
    !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
    [OK - 7087864 bytes]
    
    Verifying checksum...  OK (0x3DA6)
    7087864 bytes copied in 105.344 secs (67283 bytes/sec)
    Router#
  9. Type show version and press Enter to verify your new software image.

    Router# show version
    Cisco Internetwork Operating System Software
    IOS (tm) C2600 Software (C2600-I-M), Version 12.2(28), RELEASE SOFTWARE (fc5)
    Technical Support: http://www.cisco.com/techsupport
    Copyright (c) 1986-2005 by Cisco Systems, Inc.
    Compiled Thu 24-Feb-05 20:56 by kellmill
    Image text-base: 0x8000808C, data-base: 0x80A1FECC

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Next Step

You have upgraded the Cisco IOS software image on your Cisco router. You now need to reinstall Security Device Manager on the router. Refer to Download and Install Security Device Manager for instructions.


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Troubleshoot the Procedure

This section provides information about common problems that you may encounter. If this information does not solve your problem, contact the SMB Technical Assistance Center (SMB TAC) for assistance.

Problem

Cause(s) and Suggested Solution(s)

The router displays an error that there is insufficient space in flash memory to load the new software image.

Contact the SMB TAC for assistance.

The router displays the error %Error opening tftp://tftpserver ip address/filename .

Ensure that your TFTP server application is open. Refer to Set Up a TFTP Server for more information.


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Related Information

Service Requests

  Open a service request
  Update a service request

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