Release Notes for Cisco MDS 9000 Series Transceiver Firmware, Release 9.4(3b)

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Updated:May 30, 2025

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Updated:May 30, 2025
 

 

Introduction. 3

Transceiver Firmware Support Matrix. 3

Guidelines and Limitations. 4

Determining Transceiver Firmware Version. 4

Transceiver Firmware Upgrade. 5

Resolved Issues. 13

Open Issues. 13

Related Documentation. 13

Documentation Feedback. 14

Legal Information. 14


The documentation set for this product strives to use bias-free language. For the purposes of this documentation set, bias-free is defined as language that does not imply discrimination based on age, disability, gender, racial identity, ethnic identity, sexual orientation, socioeconomic status, and intersectionality. Exceptions may be present in the documentation due to language that is hardcoded in the user interfaces of the product software, language used based on RFP documentation, or language that is used by a referenced third-party product.

Introduction

Transceiver firmware upgrade bundles are provided with each NX-OS release. Cisco MDS NX-OS Release 9.4(1) introduces transceiver firmware upgrade capability for supported transceivers on Cisco MDS 9000 64G capable platforms. The firmware upgrades are provided to enhance the performance of the transceivers and to resolve known issues.

A transceiver firmware bundle is a file containing updates for multiple transceiver types. Each transceiver firmware update bundle has its own version number. A transceiver firmware bundle may contain new updates for only some transceivers. Firmware for some transceivers may be the same version as the previous firmware bundle.

To download transceiver firmware bundles, go to NX-OS EPLD Updates folder under respective products from https://software.cisco.com/download/navigator.html.

Transceiver Firmware Support Matrix

The following table lists versions of Cisco MDS NX-OS used to install transceiver firmware bundles. The versions must match during installation, but Cisco MDS NX-OS versions can be subsequently upgraded or downgraded without changing the transceiver firmware versions.

Table 1.           Installation Compatibility Matrix

MDS NX-OS Release

Transceiver Firmware Bundle

9.4(3b)

nxos-transceiver-firmware.mds.9.4.3b.bin

The following table lists the transceiver firmware bundle and supported Cisco MDS 9000 platforms.

Table 2.           Transceiver Firmware Bundle Support Matrix

Transceiver Firmware Bundle

Cisco MDS 9000 Platform

Product Identifier (PID)

nxos-transceiver-firmware.mds.9.4.3b.bin

MDS 9700 48-Port 64-Gbps Advanced Fibre Channel Module

DS-X9748-3072K9

MDS 9124V Fibre Channel Switch

DS-C9124V-K9

MDS 9148V Fibre Channel Switch

DS-C9148V-K9

MDS 9396V Fibre Channel Switch

DS-C9396V-K9

The following table lists the firmware versions for different transceivers that are packaged in the Cisco MDS Release 9.4(3b) transceiver firmware bundle.

Table 3.           Transceiver firmware versions packaged in the transceiver firmware bundle

Transceiver Firmware Bundle

Transceiver PID

Transceiver type/ Manufacturer's part number

Firmware Version

nxos-transceiver-firmware.mds.9.4.3b.bin

DS-SFP-FC64G-SW

CISCO-ACCELINK/ NA

1.2

DS-SFP-FC64G-SW

CISCO-FINISAR/ FTLF8564D1xxx-xx

1.1

DS-SFP-FC64G-LW

CISCO-INNOLIGHT/ TR-WR13L-NCI

0.24

Guidelines and Limitations

When you upgrade the transceiver firmware, consider the following guidelines and limitations:

●     Transceiver firmware can only be upgraded. After the transceiver firmware is upgraded, it is compatible with all versions of Cisco MDS NX-OS.

●     Transceiver firmware upgrade is supported only for the transceiver models that are listed in the transceiver firmware versions packaged in the transceiver firmware bundle table.

●     Transceiver firmware upgrade is supported only on Cisco MDS 9000 platforms that are listed in the transceiver firmware Support Matrix table.

●     Transceiver upgrade is a disruptive procedure. All interfaces, including those in the same module or fabric switch which are not undergoing upgrade will be shut down during the upgrade.

●     Do not run interface commands or open another upgrade session on the module or switch while the transceiver is upgrading. This may result in permanent damage to the transceivers.

●     Ensure the transceiver power control feature is disabled, so that all transceivers are powered up while the transceiver firmware upgrade proceeds. The status of this feature is automatically checked as part of the transceiver firmware upgrade process.

Determining Transceiver Firmware Version

Use the show interface fcx/y transceiver details command to view the current version of firmware on a specific transceiver module. The version of firmware currently running on the transceiver is displayed on the "Firmware version is" line.

Use the following command to display the transceiver firmware version.

switch# show interface fc1/1 transceiver details

Transceiver Firmware Upgrade

When upgrading transceivers on MDS Director switches, all transceivers in all modules are upgraded by default, or optionally each single module is upgraded. When upgrading transceivers on MDS fabric switches, all supported transceivers will be upgraded together.

Note:       After transceiver firmware is upgraded, the transceiver firmware remains in the upgraded version even if the transceiver is moved to a different module, switch or interface.

Upgrading Transceivers Firmware

To update firmware in upgradable transceivers, use the install transceiver command.

Optionally, a subset of modules to be upgraded can be specified by the user using the module keyword. Use comma (,) or range separator (-) to specify a subset of modules. If a specified module number is not present or not supported, it will be ignored and the remaining valid modules will be upgraded. To update firmware on all supported transceivers in a Fabric switch, use the command without the module keyword.

Note:       Save any pending configuration before starting a transceiver upgrade. The upgrade process may need to reload a Fabric switch after the transceiver upgrades are completed. This depends on which component of the transceiver firmware has been updated. Some transceiver hardware components will utilize the update immediately, however, other transceiver hardware components must be restarted to start using the update. If any of these are updated then the upgrade process will automatically reload the switch. The upgrade will not proceed if there is any pending configuration in the show running-config diff command output.

If none of the transceivers require upgrading, the command exits. Otherwise, any transceivers with firmware version lower than the packaged version will be listed in a table and a prompt. The table displays the following details:

●     interface number

●     current firmware version

●     new firmware version

●     if reload is required

If you choose to continue, all the interfaces in the corresponding modules are shut down, and all listed transceivers are upgraded in the listed order. The upgrade process may take several minutes to complete. After the upgrade, the status of each upgraded transceiver module is again displayed in a table. If any transceivers must be power cycled, on a Director switch the corresponding modules are reloaded automatically. For a Fabric switch, the entire switch will reload automatically. After the modules or switch become online, the interfaces are left in the same state that they were in, prior to the firmware upgrade.

Transceiver firmware cannot be upgraded when transceiver power control feature is enabled as it is necessary for a transceiver to be powered on to be upgraded. If a transceiver upgrade is attempted with this feature enabled the user is notified and must confirm to proceed. Transceiver power control will be disabled during the upgrade and then re-enabled when the upgrade has completed.

For more information about transceiver power control feature refer to the Cisco MDS 9000 Series Interfaces Configuration Guide, Release 9.x.

Upgrading Transceivers in Director Switches

Use the following command to upgrade transceiver firmware in specified line cards in a Cisco MDS 9700 Series Switch.

switch# install transceiver bootflash:nxos-transceiver-firmware.mds.9.4.3b.bin module 6

To update transceiver firmware on all supported modules in a Director switch, use the install transceiver command without the module keyword.

Use the following command to update the transceiver firmware on all supported transceivers in a Cisco MDS 9700 Series Switch

switch# install transceiver bootflash:nxos-transceiver-firmware.mds.9.4.3b.bin

Updating the Transceiver Firmware on a Fabric Switch

Use the following command to upgrade transceiver firmware on a fabric switch.

switch# install transceiver bootflash:nxos-transceiver-firmware.mds.9.4.3b.bin

Use the following command to upgrade transceiver firmware when the transceiver power control feature is enabled.

switch# install transceiver bootflash:nxos-transceiver-firmware.mds.9.4.3b.bin module 7

Cleaning a Previously Terminated Upgrade

Accessing transceivers during an upgrade can cause permanent damage to them. To prevent any damage, only one upgrade session is permitted at a time. The following message is displayed when an attempt is made to start parallel upgrades.

switch# install transceiver bootflash:nxos-transceiver-firmware.mds.9.4.3b.bin

Already one active install transceiver session is in progress. Running parallel install transceiver session(s) are not allowed.

If you want to re-run install transceiver due to previously aborted session(if any), please run 'install transceiver clean' first to do clean up and try running install transceiver again.

switch#

If there are no parallel upgrade sessions are running, and the above message is from a previously terminated upgrade, use the install transceiver clean command to clear the session and run the install command again.

Example: Cleaning previously terminated transceiver upgrade

switch# install transceiver clean

Warning: Running this command clears the lock on any ongoing upgrade. The original upgrade process is not stopped and a subsequent upgrade will then be allowed, making the upgrade process likely to fail and cause transceiver damage. It is advised to use the install transceiver clean command only after an upgrade fails or terminates.

If an upgrade is terminated, wait for a few minutes for any ongoing upgrade to complete before attempting again. The approximate time required to complete each transceiver install session is displayed in the banner text before any upgrade process starts.

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Transceiver firmware upgrade is a disruptive operation and all interfaces, including those interfaces that do not need upgrading in the respective line card(s), will be shutdown during the process. This will take approximately 00 hrs 15 mins to complete.

 

Any module with transceivers upgraded will be reloaded after the upgrade is finished.

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Resolved Issues

There are no resolved issues in Cisco MDS 9000 Series Transceiver Firmware Release 9.4(3b).

Open Issues

There are no open issues in Cisco MDS 9000 Series Transceiver Firmware Release 9.4(3b).

Related Documentation

Software and Firmware Upgrade and Downgrade Guide

https://www.cisco.com/c/en/us/td/docs/dcn/mds9000/sw/9x/upgrade/cisco-mds-9000-software-upgrade-downgrade-guide-9x.html

Documentation Feedback

To provide technical feedback on this document, or to report an error or omission, send your comments to mds-docfeedback@cisco.com. We appreciate your feedback.

Legal Information

Cisco and the Cisco logo are trademarks or registered trademarks of Cisco and/or its affiliates in the U.S. and other countries. To view a list of Cisco trademarks, go to this URL: www.cisco.com/go/trademarks. Third-party trademarks mentioned are the property of their respective owners. The use of the word partner does not imply a partnership relationship between Cisco and any other company. (1721R)

Any Internet Protocol (IP) addresses and phone numbers used in this document are not intended to be actual addresses and phone numbers. Any examples, command display output, network topology diagrams, and other figures included in the document are shown for illustrative purposes only. Any use of actual IP addresses or phone numbers in illustrative content is unintentional and coincidental.

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