Cisco APIC Installation and ACI Upgrade and Downgrade Guide

Upgrade or downgrade the Cisco APIC software using the REST API

Updated: July 12, 2026

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Manages Cisco APIC software versions by executing REST API commands to download images and trigger controller firmware updates. This procedure ensures the fabric controllers transition to the specified software release.

Procedure

Download the Cisco APIC image into the repository.

Example:

POST URL: https://<ip address>/api/node/mo/uni/fabric.xml
                        <firmwareRepoP>
                        <firmwareOSource name="APIC_Image_download" proto="http" url="http://<ip address>/<ver-no>"/>
                        </firmwareRepoP>

Post the following policy to set the desired version for controllers:

Example:

POST URL: https://<ip address>/api/node/mo/uni/controller.xml
                        <firmwareCtrlrFwP
                        version="<ver-no>"
                        ignoreCompat="true">
                        </firmwareCtrlrFwP>

Post the following policy to trigger the controller upgrade immediately:

Example:

POST URL : https://<ip address>/api/node/mo/uni/controller.xml
                        <maintCtrlrMaintP
                        adminState="up" adminSt="triggered">
                        </maintCtrlrMaintP>

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