Cisco APIC Installation and ACI Upgrade and Downgrade Guide

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Cisco APIC Installation and ACI Upgrade and Downgrade Guide

Firmware management

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This topic explains the different types of firmware used in Cisco ACI, including APIC firmware, switch firmware, SMU patches, and Silent Role packages, and provides examples and descriptions for each type.


Firmware management in Cisco ACI refers to the process of handling various firmware types, including APIC firmware, switch firmware, SMU patches, and Silent Role packages.

  • APIC firmware is the operating system for APIC appliances.

  • Switch firmware is the operating system for ACI switches in the Nexus 9000 series.

  • Software Maintenance Upgrade (SMU) patches and Silent Role (SR) packages address specific defects or hardware components.

Firmware types and descriptions

Firmware in Cisco ACI is categorized into several types, each serving a specific function within the system.

Table 1. Firmware Types Comparison

Firmware Type

Description

Example

Cisco APIC Firmware

An operation system of APICs running on APIC appliances.

APIC Release 5.2(1g):

aci-apic-dk9.5.2.1g

Switch Firmware

An operation system of ACI switches running on Nexus 9000 series.

ACI Switch Release 15.2(1g):

aci-n9000-dk9.15.2.1g.bin

Software Maintenance Upgrade (SMU) Patch

A patch image for a specific defect on either APICs or ACI switches.

See Software Maintenance Upgrade Patches for details.

A patch for CSCaa12345 on APICs with 5.2(1g) release:

aci-apic-patch-CSCaa12345-5.2.1g-S.1.0.x86_64.tgz

A patch for CSCaa12345 on ACI switches with 15.2(1g) release:

aci-n9000-patch-CSCaa12345-15.2.1g-S.1.1.1.rpm

Silent Role (SR) Package

A package of firmware for specific hardware components on ACI switches.

See Silent Roll Package Upgrade for details.

aci-srpkg-dk9.1.0.0.bin