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This chapter describes how to upgrade or downgrade the Cisco NX-OS software. It contains the following sections:
Each device is shipped with the Cisco NX-OS software. The Cisco NX-OS software consists of two NXOS software images, kickstart image and systems image (for example: n3500-uk9-kickstart.6.0.2.A6.7.bin and n3500-uk9.6.0.2.A6.7.bin). Only these images are required to load the Cisco NX-OS operating system. These images run on all Cisco Nexus 3500 Series switches.
Note | 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 from Cisco.com and generally include the ID number of the resolved defect in the filename. For more information on SMUs, see the Cisco Nexus 3500 Series NX-OS System Management Configuration Guide. |
Upgrading the Cisco NX-OS software has the following prerequisites:
Ensure that everyone who has access to the device or the network is not configuring the device or the network during this time. You cannot configure a device during an upgrade. Use the show configuration session summary command to verify that you have no active configuration sessions.
Save, commit, or discard any active configuration sessions before upgrading or downgrading the Cisco NX-OS software image on your device. On a device with dual supervisors, the active supervisor module cannot switch over to the standby supervisor module during the Cisco NX-OS software upgrade if you have an active configuration session.
switch# ping 172.18.217.1 vrf management PING 172.18.217.1 (172.18.217.1): 56 data bytes 64 bytes from 172.18.217.1: icmp_seq=0 ttl=239 time=106.647 ms 64 bytes from 172.18.217.1: icmp_seq=1 ttl=239 time=76.807 ms 64 bytes from 172.18.217.1: icmp_seq=2 ttl=239 time=76.593 ms 64 bytes from 172.18.217.1: icmp_seq=3 ttl=239 time=81.679 ms 64 bytes from 172.18.217.1: icmp_seq=4 ttl=239 time=76.5 ms --- 172.18.217.1 ping statistics --- 5 packets transmitted, 5 packets received, 0.00% packet loss round-trip min/avg/max = 76.5/83.645/106.647 ms
For more information on configuration sessions, see the Cisco Nexus 3500 Series NX-OS System Management Configuration Guide.
Downgrading the Cisco NX-OS software has the following prerequisites:
Note | The Cisco Nexus 3500 Series NX-OS Release Notes contain specific upgrade guidelines for each release. See the Release Notes for the target upgrade release before starting the upgrade. |
Before attempting to upgrade to any software image, follow these guidelines:
Schedule the upgrade when your network is stable and steady.
Avoid any power interruption, which could corrupt the software image, during the installation procedure.
On devices with dual supervisor modules, both supervisor modules must have connections on the console ports to maintain connectivity when switchovers occur during a software upgrade. See the Hardware Installation Guide for your specific chassis.
You must run the setup script after you upgrade to Cisco NX-OS Release 6.0(2)A8(9).
Before attempting to downgrade to an earlier software release, follow this guideline:
Starting from Release Rel 6.0(2)A8(4), you can optionally choose to boot the switch from an external flash memory drive at the loader prompt. The supported BIOS version for N3K-C3548P-10GX is 2.0.8 and for N3K-C3548P-10G is 1.0.11. Following are the various options for loading the image from an external flash memory drive:
Loader> boot usb1: <kickstart image>
Loader> boot usb2: <kickstart image>
Loader> boot usb2: <kickstart image>
Loader> boot usb1: <kickstart image> usb1: <system image>
Loader> boot usb2: <kickstart image> usb2:<system image>
Loader> boot usb2: <kickstart image> usb2:<system image>
Note | If an error message appears during the upgrade, the upgrade will fail because of the reason indicated. |
Step 1 |
Read the release notes for the software image file for any
exceptions to this upgrade procedure. See the
Cisco Nexus 3500 Series NX-OS Release Notes.
| ||
Step 2 | Log in to the device on the console port connection. | ||
Step 3 | Ensure that the required space is available for the image files to be copied.
switch# dir bootflash: 49152 May 10 14:43:39 2014 lost+found/ 80850712 May 10 15:57:44 2014 n3500-uk9-kickstart.6.0.2.A6.7.bin 80850712 May 10 15:57:44 2014 n3500-uk9.6.0.2.A6.7.bin ... Usage for bootflash://sup-local 4825743360 bytes used 16312102912 bytes free 21137846272 bytes total
| ||
Step 4 | If you need more space on the device, delete unnecessary files to make space available.
switch# delete bootflash:n3500-uk9-kickstart.6.0.2.A6.7.bin | ||
Step 5 | Log in to Cisco.com, choose the software image files for your device from the following URL, and download it to a file server: http://software.cisco.com/download/navigator.html. | ||
Step 6 | Copy the software images to the device using a transfer protocol. You can use FTP, TFTP, SCP, or SFTP.
switch# copy scp://user@scpserver.cisco.com//download/n3500-uk9-kickstart.6.0.2.A6.7.bin bootflash:n3500-uk9-kickstart.6.0.2.A6.7.bin switch# copy scp://user@scpserver.cisco.com//download/n3500-uk9.6.0.2.A6.7.bin bootflash:n3500-uk9.6.0.2.A6.7.bin | ||
Step 7 | Check the impact of upgrading the software before actually
performing the upgrade.
switch# show install all impact kickstart bootflash:n3500-uk9-kickstart.6.0.2.A6.7.bin system bootflash:n3500-uk9.6.0.2.A6.7.bin Installer is forced disruptive Verifying image bootflash:/n3500-uk9-kickstart.6.0.2.A6.7.bin for boot variable "kickstart". [########################################] 100% -- SUCCESS Verifying image bootflash:/cli1s.bin for boot variable "system". [########################################] 100% -- SUCCESS Verifying image type. [########################################] 100% -- SUCCESS Extracting "system" version from image bootflash:/cli1s.bin. [########################################] 100% -- SUCCESS Extracting "kickstart" version from image bootflash:/n3500-uk9-kickstart.6.0.2.A6.7.bin. [########################################] 100% -- SUCCESS Extracting "bios" version from image bootflash:/cli1s.bin. [########################################] 100% -- SUCCESS Collecting "running" plugin(s) information. [########################################] 100% -- SUCCESS Collecting plugin(s) information from "new" image. [########################################] 100% -- SUCCESS Performing runtime checks. [# ] 2% [########################################] 100% -- SUCCESS Recommended action:: "Module 1 might not be supported in the new image, it should be powered off before proceeding with install". Performing module support checks. [########################################] 100% -- SUCCESS Notifying services about system upgrade. [########################################] 100% -- SUCCESS Compatibility check is done: Module bootable Impact Install-type Reason ------ -------- -------------- ------------ ------ 1 no n/a n/a Incompatible image Images will be upgraded according to following table: Module Image Running-Version New-Version Upg-Required ------ ---------------- ---------------------- ---------------------- ------------ 1 system 6.0(2)A8(1) 6.0(2)A8(1) no 1 kickstart 6.0(2)A8(1) 6.0(2)A7(2) no 1 bios v1.9.0(10/13/2012) v1.9.0(10/13/2012) no 1 power-seq v2.1 v2.1 no | ||
Step 8 | Save the running configuration to the startup configuration.
switch# copy running-config startup-config | ||
Step 9 | Upgrade the Cisco NX-OS software.
switch# install all kickstart bootflash:n3500-uk9-kickstart.6.0.2.A6.7.bin system bootflash:n3500-uk9.6.0.2.A6.7.bin
| ||
Step 10 | (Optional)
Display the entire upgrade process.
switch# show install all status | ||
Step 11 | (Optional)
Log in and verify that the device is running the required software
version.
switch# show version | ||
Step 12 | (Optional) If necessary, install any licenses to ensure that the required features are available on the device. See the Cisco NX-OS Licensing Guide. |
switch# install bios-update Installer is forced disruptive Verifying image bootflash:/n3500-uk9-kickstart.6.0.2.A8.7.61.bin for boot variable "kickstart". [########################################] 100% -- SUCCESS Verifying image bootflash:/n3500-uk9.6.0.2.A8.7.61.bin for boot variable "system". [########################################] 100% -- SUCCESS Verifying image type. [########################################] 100% -- SUCCESS Extracting "system" version from image bootflash:/n3500-uk9.6.0.2.A8.7.61.bin. [########################################] 100% -- SUCCESS Extracting "kickstart" version from image bootflash:/n3500-uk9-kickstart.6.0.2.A8.7.61.bin. [########################################] 100% -- SUCCESS Extracting "bios" version from image bootflash:/n3500-uk9.6.0.2.A8.7.61.bin. [########################################] 100% -- SUCCESS Collecting "running" plugin(s) information. [########################################] 100% -- SUCCESS Collecting plugin(s) information from "new" image. [########################################] 100% -- SUCCESS Performing runtime checks. [########################################] 100% -- SUCCESS Performing module support checks. [########################################] 100% -- SUCCESS Compatibility check is done: Module bootable Impact Install-type Reason ------ -------- -------------- ------------ ------ 1 yes disruptive reset Forced by the user Images will be upgraded according to following table: Module Image Running-Version New-Version Upg-Required ------ ---------------- ---------------------- ---------------------- ------------ 1 system 6.0(2)A8(8) 6.0(2)A8(8) no 1 bios v1.9.0(10/13/2012) v1.14.0(10/28/2017) yes 1 power-seq v2.1 v2.1 no Switch will be reloaded for disruptive upgrade. Do you want to continue with the installation (y/n)? [n] y Time Stamp: Wed Feb 14 08:24:21 2001 Install is in progress, please wait. Performing runtime checks. [########################################] 100% -- SUCCESS Module 1: Refreshing compact flash and upgrading bios/loader/bootrom/power-seq. Warning: please do not remove or power off the module at this time. [# ] 0% Time Stamp: Wed Feb 14 08:28:09 2001 Install has been successful. Gondor# Gondor# Gondor# show version Cisco Nexus Operating System (NX-OS) Software TAC support: http://www.cisco.com/tac Documents: http://www.cisco.com/en/US/products/ps9372/tsd_products_support_series_home.html Copyright (c) 2002-2018, Cisco Systems, Inc. All rights reserved. The copyrights to certain works contained herein are owned by other third parties and are used and distributed under license. Some parts of this software are covered under the GNU Public License. A copy of the license is available at http://www.gnu.org/licenses/gpl.html. Software BIOS: version 1.14.0 [last: 1.9.0] loader: version N/A kickstart: version 6.0(2)A8(8) system: version 6.0(2)A8(8) Power Sequencer Firmware: Module 1: version v2.1 BIOS compile time: 10/28/2017 [last: 10/13/2012] kickstart image file is: bootflash:///n3500-uk9-kickstart.6.0.2.A8.7.61.bin kickstart compile time: 12/21/2017 5:00:00 [12/21/2017 14:36:09] system image file is: bootflash:///n3500-uk9.6.0.2.A8.7.61.bin system compile time: 12/21/2017 5:00:00 [12/21/2017 15:05:47] Hardware cisco Nexus 3548 Chassis ("48x10GE Supervisor") Intel(R) Pentium(R) CPU @ 1.50GHz with 3805852 kB of memory. Processor Board ID FOC16512H9C Device name: Gondor bootflash: 2007040 kB Kernel uptime is 19 day(s), 9 hour(s), 42 minute(s), 27 second(s) Last reset at 712488 usecs after Thu Jan 25 22:54:40 2001 Reason: Disruptive upgrade System version: 6.0(2)A8(8) Service: plugin Core Plugin, Ethernet Plugin Gondor# Gondor# Gondor# Gondor# Gondor# reload WARNING: This command will reboot the system Do you want to continue? (y/n) [n] y
Note | If an error message appears during the downgrade, the downgrade will fail because of the reason indicated. See the Cisco Nexus 3500 Series NX-OS Troubleshooting Guide for a list of possible causes and solutions. |
Step 1 |
Read the release notes for the software image file for any
exceptions to this downgrade procedure. See the
Cisco Nexus 3500 Series NX-OS Release Notes.
| ||
Step 2 | Log in to the device on the console port connection. | ||
Step 3 | Verify that the image files for the downgrade are present on the device bootflash:.
switch# dir bootflash: 49152 May 10 14:43:39 2014 lost+found/ 80850712 May 10 15:57:44 2014 n3500-uk9-kickstart.6.0.2.A6.7.bin 80850712 May 10 15:57:44 2014 n3500-uk9.6.0.2.A6.7.bin ... Usage for bootflash://sup-local 4825743360 bytes used 16312102912 bytes free 21137846272 bytes total | ||
Step 4 | If the software image file is not present, log in to Cisco.com, choose the software image file for your device from the following URL, and download it to a file server: http://software.cisco.com/download/navigator.html.
| ||
Step 5 | Copy the software images to the device using a transfer protocol. You can use FTP, TFTP, SCP, or SFTP.
switch# copy scp://user@scpserver.cisco.com//download/n3500-uk9-kickstart.6.0.2.A6.7.bin bootflash:n3500-uk9-kickstart.6.0.2.A6.7.bin switch# copy scp://user@scpserver.cisco.com//download/n3500-uk9.6.0.2.A6.7.bin bootflash:n3500-uk9.6.0.2.A6.7.bin | ||
Step 6 | Check for any software incompatibilities.
switch# show incompatibility system bootflash:n3500-uk9.6.0.2.A6.7.bin Checking incompatible configuration(s) No incompatible configurations The resulting output displays any incompatibilities and remedies. | ||
Step 7 | Disable any features that are incompatible with the downgrade images. | ||
Step 8 | Save the running configuration to the startup configuration.
switch# copy running-config startup-config | ||
Step 9 | Downgrade the Cisco NX-OS software.
switch# install all kickstart bootflash:n3500-uk9-kickstart.6.0.2.A6.7.bin system n3500-uk9.6.0.2.A6.7.bin Installer is forced disruptive Verifying image bootflash:/n3500-uk9-kickstart.6.0.2.A6.7.bin for boot variable "kickstart". [########################################] 100% -- SUCCESS Verifying image bootflash:/n3500-uk9.6.0.2.A6.7.bin for boot variable "system". [########################################] 100% -- SUCCESS Verifying image type. [########################################] 100% -- SUCCESS Extracting "system" version from image bootflash:/n3500-uk9.6.0.2.A6.7.bin. [########################################] 100% -- SUCCESS Extracting "kickstart" version from image bootflash:/n3500-uk9-kickstart.6.0.2.A6.7.bin. [########################################] 100% -- SUCCESS Extracting "bios" version from image bootflash:/n3500-uk9.6.0.2.A6.7.bin. [########################################] 100% -- SUCCESS Collecting "running" plugin(s) information. [########################################] 100% -- SUCCESS Collecting plugin(s) information from "new" image. [########################################] 100% -- SUCCESS Performing runtime checks. [# ] 100% -- SUCCESS
| ||
Step 10 | (Optional)
Display the entire downgrade process.
Example: switch# show install all status | ||
Step 11 | (Optional)
Log in and verify that the device is running the required software
version.
switch# show version |