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Cisco Nexus 9000 Series NX-OS Software Upgrade and Downgrade Guide, Release 10.6(x)

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Cisco Configuration Guide, Release 4.2

Table of contents

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About this document

Preface

Audience
Document Conventions
Related Documentation for Cisco Nexus 9000 Series Switches
Documentation Feedback
Communications, services, and additional information

Upgrade or Downgrade the Nexus 9000 Series NX-OS Software

Software image
Prerequisites for NX-OS software upgrade
Nexus health and configuration checks
NX-OS software upgrade guidelines
ISSU platform support
Upgrade paths
Install upgrade patches
Upgrade the NX-OS software
In-Service Software Upgrade
NX-OS upgrade history
Prerequisites for NX-OS software downgrade
NX-OS software downgrade guidelines
Downgrade to an earlier software release

Transceiver Firmware

Transceiver firmware upgrades
Firmware upgrade using NX-OS commands
Parallel firmware download

Optionality in NX-OS Software

Optionality in NX-OS software
Modular packages
NX-OS image boot modes
Red Hat Package Managers
Dandified YUM commands
Configure an FTP server and set up a local FTP YUM repository
Create user roles for install operation

Convert from NX-OS to ACI boot mode and from ACI boot mode back to NX-OS

Convert a Nexus 9000 Series switch from NX-OS to ACI boot mode
Convert a replacement standby supervisor to ACI boot mode
Convert a Nexus 9000 Series switch back to NX-OS

Migrate Switches in a vPC Topology

Upgrade process for a vPC topology on the primary switch
Upgrade process for a vPC topology on the secondary switch
vPC forklift upgrade
vPC upgrade and downgrade procedure for Nexus 9000 -R series switches

Migrate Switches in a vPC Topology

Updated: February 5, 2026

Overview

This chapter explains how to migrate from one pair of Nexus 9000 Series switches to another within a vPC topology, covering both forklift upgrades and specific procedures for the -R series models. It outlines the necessary steps to manage peer-link shutdowns, auto-recovery configurations, and simultaneous reloads to ensure network stability and minimize traffic impact during the transition between software releases.

Upgrade process for a vPC topology on the primary switch

This section summarizes the upgrade process on a switch in a vPC topology that holds either the Primary or Operational Primary vPC roles.

Upgrade process for a vPC topology on the secondary switch

Learn how to upgrade a switch in vPC topology that holds either the Secondary or Operational Secondary vPC roles.

vPC forklift upgrade

This section describes the scenario and considerations for performing a vPC forklift upgrade on Cisco Nexus 9500 switches.

vPC upgrade and downgrade procedure for Nexus 9000 -R series switches

Upgrade or downgrade vPC peer switches in Nexus 9000 -R series, ensuring compatibility and minimizing traffic impact.

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Bias-free language

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. Learn more about how Cisco is using Inclusive Language.