This section provides details about the NX-OS software image, which consolidates all necessary system components and outlines the support for disruptive upgrades, SMU package files, and EPLD handling across various Nexus 9000 Series switches.
The NX-OS software image is an image that
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consolidates the necessary system components into one image,
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includes a bundled EPLD image beginning with Release 10.5(3)F, and
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uses a 64-bit format.
Each Nexus switch is shipped with the NX-OS software preinstalled. The NX-OS software consists of one NX-OS software image, and this image is required to load the NX-OS operating system.
Beginning with Release 10.5(3)F, NX-OS no longer provides a separate EPLD image. The EPLD image is bundled with all NX-OS images, increasing image sizes. For more information, refer to Cisco Nexus 9000 Series FPGA/EPLD Upgrade Release Notes.
NX-OS Release 10.6(x) supports only 64-bit images, which are listed in this table.
| Image prefix |
Example |
Remarks |
|---|---|---|
| nxos64-cs |
nxos64-cs.10.5.3.F.bin |
Supported on all Nexus 9000 series switches except Nexus 9500 -R and -R2 switches and line cards, Nexus 9800 switches, and N9364E-SG2 switches |
| nxos64-msll |
nxos64-msll.10.5.3.F.bin |
Supported only on Nexus 9500 Series -R and -R2 modular switches |
| nxos64-s1 |
nxos64-s1.10.5.3.bin |
Mandatory on Nexus 9800 and N9364E-SG2 switches. This image is supported from NX-OS Release 10.5(1)F on Nexus 9800 switches and, from 10.5(3)F on N9364E-SG2 switches. |
| nxos64-s1-dpu |
nxos64-s1-dpu.10.6.2.F.bin
|
Mandatory on N9324C-SE1U and N9348Y2C6D-SE1U Smart switches. Minimum software version for the N9300 Smart Switches is NX-OS Release 10.6(2)F. Beginning with NX-OS 10.6(2)F, only network mode is supported. Beginning with NX-OS Release 10.6(3s)F, these switches support two modes: network and DPU security mode. In the network mode, only the networking features are supported. In the DPU security mode, both network and DPU security features are supported.
For more information about this image, refer to DPU image. |
| nxos64-msx |
nxos64-msx.10.6.2n.F.bin |
Mandatory on N9164E-NS4-O switch from NX-OS Release 10.6(2n). Currently, only disruptive upgrade is supported. |
The Nexus 9000 Series switches support disruptive software upgrades and downgrades by default.
For information about the supported upgrade paths, see the CiscoNexus 9000 and 3000 Upgrade and ISSU Matrix.
Until NX-OS Release 10.5(2)F, we provided separate electronic programmable logic device (EPLD) image upgrades to enhance hardware functionality or to resolve known hardware issues. For more information on the EPLD image and the upgrade process, see the Cisco Nexus 9000 Series FPGA/EPLD Upgrade Release Notes.
Until NX-OS Release 10.5(2)F, ISSU supports EPLD upgrades using the install all nxos <nxos-image> epld <epld-image> command during disruptive system (NX-OS) upgrade.
While upgrading from pre-10.5(3)F releases to 10.5(3)F and later, first upgrade to 10.5(3) NX-OS using the install all <nxos-image> command. Then, after the NX-OS upgrade is complete, upgrade EPLD using the install epld command.
Beginning with NX-OS Release 10.5(3)F, EPLD upgrade takes place during an ISSU system upgrade. To avoid EPLD upgrade, use the skip-epld option. Do not use the epld <epld-image> option as the EPLD image is bundled with the NX-OS images and a separate EPLD image is no longer provided.
DPU image
Beginning with NX-OS Release 10.6(3s)F, the DPU image (nxos64-s1-dpu) includes both the NX-OS and the DPU images for N9300 Smart Switches. With this image the switch functions as an NX-OS switch in network mode by default (feature service-acceleration is disabled by default). If you enable feature service-acceleration, it powers up the DPUs, and the switch can provide both network and DPU security mode features.
As Smart Switches support only disruptive upgrade, follow these instructions to perform a software upgrade from earlier versions to 10.6(3s)F:
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Start the upgrade using the install all nxos image-name command.
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Apply the service acceleration configuration. For configuration details, refer to the Cisco Smart Switches Configuration Guide for DPU Security Mode.
For more information, refer to the Upgrade the NX-OS software section.
SMU image
Another type of binary file is the software maintenance upgrade (SMU) package file. SMUs contain fixes for specific defects. They are created to respond to immediate issues and do not include new features. SMU package files are available for download and generally include the ID number of the resolved defect in the filename (for example, n9000-dk10.1.1.CSCab00001.gbin). For more information on SMUs, see the Cisco N9000 Series NX-OS System Management Configuration Guide.