Document Change History

The document change history outlines the updates and modifications made to this document for a release train.

Document Change History

Date

Release

Sections Updated

August 08, 2025

17.18.1

Introduction

Cisco Catalyst 9600 Series Switches are the next generation purpose-built 40 GigabitEthernet, 50 GigabitEthernet, 100 GigabitEthernet, and 400 GigabitEthernet modular core and aggregation platform providing resiliency at scale with the industry’s most comprehensive security while allowing your business to grow at the lowest total operational cost. They have been purpose-built to address emerging trends of Security, IoT, Mobility, and Cloud.

They deliver hardware and software convergence in terms of ASIC architecture with Unified Access Data Plane (UADP) 3.0 and Cisco Silicon One Q200. The platform runs an Open Cisco IOS XE that supports model driven programmability, Serial Advanced Technology Attachment (SATA) Solid State Drive (SSD) local storage, and a higher memory footprint). The series forms the foundational building block for SD-Access, which is Cisco’s lead enterprise architecture.

It also supports features that provide high availability, advanced routing and infrastructure services, security capabilities, and application visibility and control.

Supported Cisco Catalyst 9600 Series Switches Model Numbers

The following table lists the supported switch models.

Switch Model

(append with “=” for spares)

Description

Introductory Release

C9606R

Cisco Catalyst 9606R Switch

  • Redundant supervisor module capability
  • Four linecard slots
  • Hot-swappable fan tray, front and rear serviceable, fan tray assembly with 9 fans.
  • Four power supply module slots

Cisco IOS XE Gibraltar 16.11.1

Supported Hardware on Cisco Catalyst 9600 Series Switches

Product ID

(append with “=” for spares)

Description

Introductory Release

Supervisor Modules

C9600-SUP-1

Cisco Catalyst 9600 Series Supervisor 1 Module

This supervisor module is supported on the C9606R chassis.

Cisco IOS XE Gibraltar 16.11.1

C9600X-SUP-2

Cisco Catalyst 9600 Series Supervisor Engine 2

This supervisor module is supported on the C9606R chassis.

Cisco IOS XE Cupertino 17.7.1

SATA1 SSD2 Modules (for the Supervisor)

C9K-F2-SSD-240GB

Cisco Catalyst 9600 Series 240GB SSD Storage

Cisco IOS XE Gibraltar 16.11.1

C9K-F2-SSD-480GB

Cisco Catalyst 9600 Series 480GB SSD Storage

Cisco IOS XE Gibraltar 16.11.1

C9K-F2-SSD-960GB

Cisco Catalyst 9600 Series 960GB SSD Storage

Cisco IOS XE Gibraltar 16.11.1

Line Cards

C9600X-LC-56YL4C

Cisco Catalyst 9600 Series 56-Port SFP56, 4-Port QSFP28 line card.

  • C9600X-SUP-2
    • 56 SFP56 ports of 50G/25G/10G
    • 4 QSFP28 ports of 100G/40G
  • C9600-SUP-1
    • Not supported

Cisco IOS XE 17.13.1

C9600X-LC-32CD

Cisco Catalyst 9600 Series 30-Port QSFP28, 2-Port QSFP-DD line card.

  • C9600X-SUP-2
    • 30 QSFP28 ports of 100G/40G
    • 2 QSFP-DD ports of 400G/200G/100G/40G
  • C9600-SUP-1
    • Not supported

Cisco IOS XE Cupertino 17.9.1

C9600-LC-40YL4CD

Cisco Catalyst 9600 Series 40-Port SFP56, 2-Port QSFP56, 2-Port QSFP-DD line card.

  • C9600X-SUP-2
    • 40 SFP56 ports of 50G/25G/10G
    • 2 QSFP56 ports of 200G/100G/40G
    • 2 QSFP-DD ports of 400G/200G/100G/40G
  • C9600X-SUP-1
    • 40 SFP28 ports of 25G/10G/1G
    • 2 QSFP28 ports of 100G/40G

Cisco IOS XE Cupertino 17.7.1

C9600-LC-48YL

Cisco Catalyst 9600 Series 48-Port SFP56 line card.

  • C9600X-SUP-2
    • 48 SFP56 ports of 50G/25G/10G
  • C9600X-SUP-1
    • 48 SFP28 ports of 25G/10G/1G

Cisco IOS XE Gibraltar 16.11.1

C9600-LC-24C

Cisco Catalyst 9600 Series 24-Port 40G/12-Port 100G line card.

  • C9600X-SUP-2
    • 24 QSFP28 ports of 100G/40G
  • C9600-SUP-1
    • 12 ports of 100G or 24 ports of 40G

Cisco IOS XE Gibraltar 16.11.1

C9600-LC-48TX

Cisco Catalyst 9600 Series 48-Port MultiGigabit RJ45 line card.

  • C9600X-SUP-2
    • 48 ports of 10G/5G/2.5G
  • C9600X-SUP-1
    • 48 ports of 10G/5G/2.5G/1G and 100M/10M

Cisco IOS XE Amsterdam 17.1.1

C9600-LC-48S

Cisco Catalyst 9600 Series 48-Port SFP line card.

  • C9600X-SUP-2
    • Not supported
  • C9600-SUP-1
    • 48 SFP ports of 1G

Cisco IOS XE Amsterdam 17.2.1

AC Power Supply Modules

C9600-PWR-2KWAC

Cisco Catalyst 9600 Series 2000W AC Power Supply Module3

Cisco IOS XE Gibraltar 16.11.1

C9600-PWR-3KWAC

Cisco Catalyst 9600 Series 3000W AC Power Supply Module

Cisco IOS XE Cupertino 17.8.1

DC Power Supply Modules

C9600-PWR-2KWDC

Cisco Catalyst 9600 Series 2000W DC Power Supply Module

Cisco IOS XE Gibraltar 16.11.1
1 Serial Advanced Technology Attachment (SATA)
2 Solid State Drive (SSD) Module
3 Power supply output capacity is 1050W at 110 VAC.

What's New in Cisco IOS XE 17.18.x

Hardware Features in Cisco IOS XE 17.18.1

There are no new hardware features in this release.

Software Features in Cisco IOS XE 17.18.1

Feature Name

Applicable Models

Description

BGP EVPN VXLAN

  • BGP EVPN IPv6 Originator ID
  • Next-hop recursive support with EVPN PBR

All Models

The following BGP EVPN VXLAN features are introduced in this release:

  • BGP EVPN IPv6 originator ID support in Route Type 3 (RT3).
  • Traffic steering in VXLAN campus fabric using PBR and next-hop recursive support with EVPN PBR (ip2fabric).

BGP neighbors monitoring with SNMP

All Models

Introduces the ability to use SNMP to monitor BGP neighbors based on the VRF the neighbor is in. This feature is enabled by default.

ip next-hop recursive and ip next-hop verify availability commands

C9600-SUP-1

Introduces support for the ip next-hop recursive and ip next-hop verify availability commands.

Maximum number of allowed MAC address moves

All Models

Introduces the ability to configure the maximum number of allowed MAC address moves in a given time interval. By default, there is no limit on the number of MAC address moves.

Message authenticator attribute in RADIUS

All Models

Introduces support for sending message authenticator attribute in the RADIUS packets which are sent out from the IOS-XE. With this feature, RADIUS packets that do not have the message authenticator attribute are dropped.

Multicast VPN (mVPN) support

C9600X-SUP-2

Introduces support for Multicast VPN (mVPN) on the Cisco Catalyst 9600 Series Supervisor 2 Module. mVPN allows an enterprise to transparently interconnect its private network across the network backbone of a service provider.

Programmability:

  • YANG Data Models

All Models

The following programmability features are introduced in this release:

Product Analytics

All Models

Cisco IOS XE Product Analytics collects device Systems Information for the purposes of understanding product usage, enabling product improvements and product development, and assisting in product adoption and sales support. Only summarized data of feature usage and statistical counters of configuration are collected. No personal identifiable information, such as MAC/IP addresses, usernames, custom configuration names, or user provided strings, are collected as part of Cisco IOS XE Product Analytics. Cisco processes this data following the General Terms, the Cisco Privacy Statement, and any other applicable agreement with Cisco.

See Product Analytics for Cisco Catalyst 9000 Series switches and Cisco Enterprise Networking Product Analytics Frequently Asked Questions.

Resource Manager System (RMS) and Resource Manager Controller (RMC) commands

All Models

Introduces support for the following commands:

  • RMS: show platform software process database fed active details RMS_DB table npi_rms content
  • RMS IPC (Interprocess Communications Protocol): show platform software resource-manager switch active R0 ipc stats
  • RMC: show platform software process database fed active details RMC_DB "table npi_rmc" content
  • RMS and RMC: show platform software resource-manager switch active R0 available-resource RMS

TLS for TACACS+

All Models

Introduces support for TACACS+ over Transport Layer Security (TLS). This feature enhances security and provides stronger certificate-based AAA services.

New on the WebUI

There are no new WebUI features in this release.

Hardware and Software Behavior Changes in Cisco IOS XE 17.18.1

There are no new behavior changes in this release.

Notice of upcoming changes in the Cisco IOS XE 17.18.2 release and beyond

Cisco is committed to safeguarding our products and customer networks against increasingly sophisticated threat actors. As computing power and the threat landscape have evolved, some features and protocols currently in use have become vulnerable to attack. While more secure alternatives are now available, legacy protocols may still be in use in some environments.

To improve network security, reduce the attack surface, and protect sensitive data, Cisco will begin phasing out legacy and insecure features and protocols, encouraging customers to transition to more secure alternatives. This process will be gradual and designed to minimize operational impact. The first phase begins with the Cisco IOS XE 17.18 release train. This is part of a broader initiative to make Cisco products more secure by default and secure by design.

Starting with the Cisco IOS XE 17.18.2 release and in future releases, Cisco software will display warning messages when configuring features or protocols that do not provide sufficient security such as those transmitting sensitive data without encryption or using outdated encryption mechanisms. Warnings will also appear when security best practices are not followed, along with suggestions for secure alternatives.

This list is subject to change, but the following is a list of features and protocols that are planned to generate warnings in releases beyond the version Cisco IOS XE 17.18.1. Release notes for each release will describe exact changes for that release.

  • Plain-text and weak credential storage: Type 0 (plain text), 5 (MD5), or 7 (Vigenère cipher) in configuration files. Recommendation: Use Type 6 (AES) for reversible credentials, and Type 8 (PBKDF2-SHA-256) or Type 9 (Scrypt) for non-reversible credentials.
  • SSHv1 Recommendation: Use SSHv2.
  • SNMPv1 and SNMPv2, or SNMPv3 without authentication and encryption Recommendation: Use SNMPv3 with authentication and encryption (authPriv).
  • MD5 (authentication) and 3DES (encryption) in SNMPv3 Recommendation: Use SHA1 or, preferably, SHA2 for authentication, and AES for encryption.
  • IP source routing based on IP header options Recommendation: Do not use this legacy feature.
  • TLS 1.0 and TLS 1.1 Recommendation: Use TLS 1.2 or later.
  • TLS ciphers using SHA1 for digital signatures Recommendation: Use ciphers with SHA256 or stronger digital signatures.
  • HTTP Recommendation: Use HTTPS.
  • Telnet Recommendation: Use SSH for remote access.
  • FTP and TFTP Recommendation: Use SFTP or HTTPS for file transfers.
  • On-Demand Routing (ODR) Recommendation: Use a standard routing protocol in place of CDP-based routing information exchange.
  • BootP server Recommendation: Use DHCP or secure boot features such as Secure ZTP.
  • TCP and UDP small servers (echo, chargen, discard, daytime) Recommendation: Do not use these services on network devices.
  • IP finger Recommendation: Do not use this protocol on network devices.
  • NTP control messages Recommendation: Do not use this feature.
  • TACACS+ using pre-shared keys and MD5 Recommendation: Use TACACS+ over TLS 1.3, introduced in release Cisco IOS XE 17.18.1.

Cisco is committed to supporting customers through this transition. Subsequent releases in the Cisco IOS XE 17.18 train will continue to support these features but will display warnings if they are used. Future release trains may impose additional restrictions on these features which will be communicated through release notes.

Caveats

Caveats describe unexpected behavior in Cisco IOS-XE releases. Caveats listed as open in a prior release are carried forward to the next release as either open or resolved.

Open Caveats in Cisco IOS XE 17.18.x

Identifier

Headline

CSCwq83338

On the C9600 Dual-Sup, performing a redundancy force-switchover immediately after reaching STANDBY HOT causes the process to halt at "in progress to standby cold-config"

Resolved Caveats in Cisco IOS XE 17.18.1

There are no resolved caveats in this release.

Feature Support

This section lists the supported and unsupported features.

All Supported Features

For the complete list of features supported on a platform, see the Cisco Feature Navigator.

Differences in Feature Support Between Switch Models

For the most part, the list of supported software features is common across Cisco Catalyst 9600 Series Supervisor 1 and 2 Modules. However, the differences in the hardware and software capabilities between these variants, means that there are exceptions to this. The following sections list these exceptions, that is, when a feature is introduced, but not supported on all available supervisor modules.

For the list of Cisco Catalyst 9600 Series Supervisor Module PIDs, see Supported Cisco Catalyst 9600 Series Switches Model Numbers.

BGP EVPN VXLAN

Feature

Not Supported On These Variants

Layer 2 Broadcast, Unknown Unicast, and Multicast (BUM) Traffic Forwarding using Ingress Replication

C9600X-SUP-2

BUM Traffic Rate Limiting

C9600X-SUP-2

Dynamic ARP inspection (DAI) and DHCP Rogue Server Protection

C9600X-SUP-2

EVPN VXLAN Centralized Default Gateway

C9600X-SUP-2

VXLAN-Aware Flexible Netflow

C9600X-SUP-2

MPLS Layer 3 VPN Border Leaf Handoff

C9600X-SUP-2

MPLS Layer 3 VPN Border Spine Handoff

C9600X-SUP-2

VPLS over MPLS Border Leaf Handoff

C9600X-SUP-2

VPLS over MPLS Border Spine Handoff

C9600X-SUP-2

Interworking of Layer 3 TRM with MVPN Networks for IPv4 Traffic

C9600X-SUP-2

Private VLANs (PVLANs)

C9600X-SUP-2

BGP EVPN VXLAN with IPv6 in the Underlay (VXLANv6)

C9600X-SUP-2

EVPN Microsegmentation

C9600X-SUP-2

VRF aware NAT64 EVPN Fabric

C9600X-SUP-2

EVPN VXLAN Multi-Homing

C9600X-SUP-2

Cisco TrustSec

Feature

Not Supported On These Variants

Cisco TrustSec Security Association Protocol (SAP)

C9600X-SUP-2

Cisco TrustSec SGT Caching

C9600X-SUP-2

High Availability

Feature

Not Supported On These Variants

Secure StackWise Virtual

C9600X-SUP-2

Interface and Hardware

Feature

Not Supported On These Variants

EnergyWise

C9600X-SUP-2

IP Addressing Services

Feature

Not Supported On These Variants

Next Hop Resolution Protocol (NHRP)

C9600X-SUP-2

Network Address Translation (NAT)

C9600X-SUP-2

Gateway Load Balancing Protocol (GLBP)

C9600X-SUP-2

Web Cache Communication Protocol (WCCP)

C9600X-SUP-2

Switchport Block Unknown Unicast and Switchport Block Unknown Multicast

C9600X-SUP-2

Message Session Relay Protocol (MSRP)

C9600X-SUP-2

TCP MSS Adjustment

C9600X-SUP-2

IP Multicast Routing

Feature

Not Supported On These Variants

Multicast Routing over GRE Tunnel

C9600X-SUP-2

Multicast VLAN Registration (MVR) for IGMP Snooping

C9600X-SUP-2

IPv6 Multicast over Point-to-Point GRE

C9600X-SUP-2

IGMP Proxy

C9600X-SUP-2

Bidirectional PIM

C9600X-SUP-2

Multicast VPN

C9600X-SUP-2

MVPNv6

C9600X-SUP-2

mVPN Extranet Support

C9600X-SUP-2

MLDP-Based VPN

C9600X-SUP-2

PIM Snooping

C9600X-SUP-2

PIM Dense Mode

C9600X-SUP-2

IP Routing

Feature

Not Supported On These Variants

OSPFv2 Loop-Free Alternate IP Fast Reroute

C9600X-SUP-2

EIGRP Loop-Free Alternate IP Fast Reroute

C9600X-SUP-2

PBR for Object-Group Access Control List (OGACL) Based Matching

C9600X-SUP-2

Multipoint GRE

C9600X-SUP-2

Unicast and Multicast over Point-to-Multipoint GRE

C9600X-SUP-2

GRE IPv6 Tunnels

C9600X-SUP-2

IP Fast Reroute (IP FRR)

C9600X-SUP-2

Non-stop Routing

C9600X-SUP-2

Layer 2

Feature

Not Supported On These Variants

Loop Detection Guard

C9600X-SUP-2

Multi-VLAN Registration Protocol (MVRP)

C9600X-SUP-2

Precision Time Protocol (PTP)

C9600X-SUP-2

Resilient Ethernet Protocol

All

Multiprotocol Label Switching

Feature

Not Supported On These Variants

LAN MACsec over Multiprotocol Label Switching (MPLS)

C9600X-SUP-2

BGP Multipath Load Sharing for Both eBGP and iBGP in an MPLS VPN

C9600X-SUP-2

MPLS over GRE

C9600X-SUP-2

MPLS Layer 2 VPN over GRE

C9600X-SUP-2

MPLS Layer 3 VPN over GRE

C9600X-SUP-2

Virtual Private LAN Service (VPLS)

C9600X-SUP-2

VPLS Autodiscovery, BGP-based

C9600X-SUP-2

VPLS Layer 2 Snooping: Internet Group Management Protocol or Multicast Listener Discovery

C9600X-SUP-2

Hierarchical VPLS with MPLS Access

C9600X-SUP-2

VPLS Routed Pseudowire IRB(v4) Unicast

C9600X-SUP-2

MPLS VPN Inter-AS Options (options B and AB)

C9600X-SUP-2

MPLS VPN Inter-AS IPv4 BGP Label Distribution

C9600X-SUP-2

Seamless Multiprotocol Label Switching

C9600X-SUP-2

Network Management

Feature

Not Supported On These Variants

Flow-Based Switch Port Analyser

C9600X-SUP-2

RSPAN

C9600X-SUP-2

FRSPAN

C9600X-SUP-2

Egress Netflow

C9600X-SUP-2

IP Aware MPLS Netflow

C9600X-SUP-2

NetFlow Version 5

C9600X-SUP-2

Cisco Application Visibility and Control (AVC)

All

Quality of Service

Feature

Not Supported On These Variants

QoS Ingress Shaping

C9600X-SUP-2

VPLS QoS

C9600X-SUP-2

Microflow Policers

C9600X-SUP-2

Per VLAN Policy and Per Port Policer

C9600X-SUP-2

Mixed COS/DSCP Threshold in a QoS LAN-queueing Policy

C9600X-SUP-2

Easy QoS: match-all Attributes

C9600X-SUP-2

Classify: Packet Length

C9600X-SUP-2

Class-Based Shaping for DSCP/Prec/COS/MPLS Labels

C9600X-SUP-2

CoPP Microflow Policing

C9600X-SUP-2

Egress Policing

C9600X-SUP-2

Egress Microflow Destination-Only Policing

C9600X-SUP-2

Ethertype Classification

C9600X-SUP-2

Packet Classification Based on Layer3 Packet-Length

C9600X-SUP-2

PACLs

C9600X-SUP-2

Per IP Session QoS

C9600X-SUP-2

Per Queue Policer

C9600X-SUP-2

QoS Data Export

C9600X-SUP-2

QoS L2 Missed Packets Policing

C9600X-SUP-2

Security

Feature

Not Supported On These Variants

Lawful Intercept

C9600X-SUP-2

MACsec:

  • MACsec EAP-TLS
  • Switch-to-host MACsec
  • Certificate-based MACsec
  • Cisco TrustSec SAP MACsec

C9600X-SUP-2

MAC ACLs

C9600X-SUP-2

Port ACLs

C9600X-SUP-2

VLAN ACLs

C9600X-SUP-2

IP Source Guard

C9600X-SUP-2

IPv6 Source Guard

C9600X-SUP-2

Web-based Authentication

C9600X-SUP-2

Port Security

C9600X-SUP-2

Weighted Random Early Detection mechanism (WRED) Based on DSCP, PREC, or COS

C9600X-SUP-2

IEEE 802.1x Port-Based Authentication

C9600X-SUP-2

Dynamic ARP Inspection

C9600X-SUP-2

Dynamic ARP Inspection Snooping

C9600X-SUP-2

System Management

Feature

Not Supported On These Variants

Unicast MAC Address Filtering

C9600X-SUP-2

VLAN

Feature

Not Supported On These Variants

Wired Dynamic PVLAN

C9600X-SUP-2

Private VLANs

C9600X-SUP-2

Limitations and Restrictions

  • Auto negotiation: The SFP+ interface (TenGigabitEthernet0/1) on the Ethernet management port with a 1G transceiver does not support auto negotiation.
  • Control Plane Policing (CoPP): The show running-config command does not display information about classes configured under system-cpp policy, when they are left at default values. Use the show policy-map system-cpp-policy or the show policy-map control-plane commands in privileged EXEC mode instead.
  • Convergence: During SSO, a higher convergence time is observed while removing the active supervisor module installed in slot 3 of a C9606R chassis.
  • Hardware Limitations: Optics:
    • Installation restriction for C9600-LC-24C linecard with CVR-QSFP-SFP10G adapter: This adapter must not be installed on an even numbered port where the corresponding odd numbered port is configured as 40GE port. For example, if port 1 is configured as 40GE, CVR-QSFP-SFP10G must not be installed in port 2. Installation restriction for C9600-LC-24C linecard with CVR-QSFP-SFP10G adapter: If you insert a 40-Gigabit Ethernet Transceiver Module to odd numbered port, the corresponding even numbered port does not work with CVR-QSFP-SFP10G adapter.
    • GLC-T and GLC-TE operating at 10/100Mbps speed are not supported with Cisco QSA Module (CVR-QSFP-SFP10G).
    • SFP-10G-T-X supports 100Mbps/1G/10G speeds based on auto negotiation with the peer device. You cannot force speed settings from the transceiver.
  • Hardware Limitations: Power Supply Modules:
    • Input voltage for AC power supply modules: All AC-input power supply modules in the chassis must have the same AC-input voltage level.
    • Using power supply modules of different types: When mixing AC-input and DC-input power supplies, the AC-input voltage level must be 220 VAC.
  • In-Service Software Upgrade (ISSU)
    • Within a major release train (16.x or 17.x or 18.x ), ISSU is supported between any two EMs that are released not more than 3 years apart.
    • Within a major release train, ISSU is supported from:
      • Any EM (EM1, EM2, EM3) to another EM (EM1, EM2, EM3) Example: 16.9.x to 16.12.x, 17.3.x to 17.6.x, 17.6.x to 17.9.x
      • Any release within the same EM Example: 16.9.2 to 16.9.3 or 16.9.4 or 16.9.x, 16.12.1 to 16.12.2 or 16.12.3 or 16.12.x, 17.3.1 to 17.3.2 or 17.3.3 or 17.3.x
    • Between major release trains, ISSU is not supported from:
      • An EM of a major release train to an EM of another major release train Example: 16.x.x to 17.x.x or 17.x.x to 18.x.x is not supported
      • An SM to EM or EM to SM Example: 16.10.x or 16.11.x to 16.12.x is not supported
    • ISSU is not supported on engineering special releases and .s (or similar) images.
    • ISSU is not supported between Licensed Data Payload Encryption (LDPE) and No Payload Encryption (NPE) Cisco IOS XE software images.
    • ISSU downgrades are not supported.
    • While ISSU allows you to perform upgrades with zero downtime, we recommend you to do so during a maintenance window only.
    • If a new feature introduced in a software release requires a change in configuration, the feature should not be enabled during ISSU.
    • If a feature is not available in the downgraded version of a software image, the feature should be disabled before initiating ISSU.
  • QoS restrictions
    • When configuring QoS queuing policy, the sum of the queuing buffer should not exceed 100%.
    • Policing and marking policy on sub interfaces is supported.
    • Marking policy on switched virtual interfaces (SVI) is supported.
    • QoS policies are not supported for port-channel interfaces, tunnel interfaces, and other logical interfaces.
  • Secure Shell (SSH)
    • Use SSH Version 2. SSH Version 1 is not supported.
    • When the device is running SCP and SSH cryptographic operations, expect high CPU until the SCP read process is completed. SCP supports file transfers between hosts on a network and uses SSH for the transfer. Since SCP and SSH operations are currently not supported on the hardware crypto engine, running encryption and decryption process in software causes high CPU. The SCP and SSH processes can show as much as 40 or 50 percent CPU usage, but they do not cause the device to shutdown.
  • Smart Licensing Using Policy: Starting with Cisco IOS XE Amsterdam 17.3.2a, with the introduction of Smart Licensing Using Policy, even if you configure a hostname for a product instance or device, only the Unique Device Identifier (UDI) is displayed. This change in the display can be observed in all licensing utilities and user interfaces where the hostname was displayed in earlier releases. It does not affect any licensing functionality. There is no workaround for this limitation. The licensing utilities and user interfaces that are affected by this limitation include only the following: Cisco Smart Software Manager (CSSM), Cisco Smart License Utility (CSLU), and Smart Software Manager On-Prem (SSM On-Prem). This limitation is removed from Cisco IOS XE Cupertino 17.9.1. If you configure a hostname and disable hostname privacy (no license smart privacy hostname global configuration command), hostname information is sent from the product instance and displayed on the applicable user interfaces (CSSM, CSLU, SSM On-Prem). For more information, see the command reference for this release.
  • TACACS legacy command: Do not configure the legacy tacacs-server host command; this command is deprecated. If the software version running on your device is Cisco IOS XE Gibraltar 16.12.2 or a later release, using the legacy command can cause authentication failures. Use the tacacs server command in global configuration mode.
  • USB Authentication: When you connect a Cisco USB drive to the switch, the switch tries to authenticate the drive against an existing encrypted preshared key. Since the USB drive does not send a key for authentication, the following message is displayed on the console when you enter password encryption aes command:
    Device(config)# password encryption aes
Master key change notification called without new or old key
  • Catatyst 9000 Series Switches support MACsec switch-to-switch connections. We do not recommend configuring MACsec switch-to-host connections in an overlay network. For assistance with an existing switch-to-host MACsec implementation or a design review, contact your Cisco Sales Representative or Channel Partner.
  • VLAN Restriction: It is advisable to have well-defined segregation while defining data and voice domain during switch configuration and to maintain a data VLAN different from voice VLAN across the switch stack. If the same VLAN is configured for data and voice domains on an interface, the resulting high CPU utilization might affect the device.
  • YANG data modeling limitation: A maximum of 20 simultaneous NETCONF sessions are supported.
  • Embedded Event Manager: Identity event detector is not supported on Embedded Event Manager.
  • On the Cisco Catalyst 9600 Series Supervisor 2 Module, TCAM space will not be reserved for different features. The available TCAM space will be shared across the features.
  • The File System Check (fsck) utility is not supported in install mode.
  • The command service-routing mdns-sd is being deprecated. Use the mdns-sd gateway command instead.
  • Switch Web UI allows configuration of data VLANs only and not voice VLANs. If you remove a voice VLAN configured to an interface using the Web UI, then all data VLANs associated with the interface are also removed by default.

Licensing

For information about licenses required for the features available on Cisco Catalyst 9000 Series Switches, see Configuring Licenses on Cisco Catalyst 9000 Series Switches.

All licensing information relating to Cisco Catalyst 9000 Series Switches are available on this collection page: Cisco Catalyst 9000 Switching Family Licensing.

Available Licensing Models and Configuration Information

  • Cisco IOS XE Gibraltar 16.11.1 to Cisco IOS XE Amsterdam 17.3.1: Smart Licensing is the default and the only supported method to manage licenses.
  • Cisco IOS XE Amsterdam 17.3.2a and later: Smart Licensing Using Policy, which is an enhanced version of Smart Licensing, is the default and the only supported method to manage licenses.

Switch Software Version Information

This section provides information about software, images, and ROMMON, and Field-Programmable Gate Array (FGPA) versions.

Finding the Software Version

The package files for the Cisco IOS XE software are stored on the system board flash device (flash:).

You can use the show version privileged EXEC command to see the software version that is running on your switch.

 Note
Although the show version output always shows the software image running on the switch, the model name shown at the end of this display is the factory configuration and does not change if you upgrade the software license.

You can also use the dir filesystem: privileged EXEC command to see the directory names of other software images that you might have stored in flash memory.

Finding the Software Images

Release

Image Type

File Name

Cisco IOS XE 17.18.1

CAT9K_IOSXE

cat9k_iosxe.17.18.01.SPA.bin

No Payload Encryption (NPE)

cat9k_iosxe_npe.17.18.01.SPA.bin

To download software images, visit the software downloads page: Cisco Catalyst 9600 Series Switches.

ROMMON Versions

ROMMON, also known as the boot loader, is firmware that runs when the device is powered up or reset. It initializes the processor hardware and boots the operating system software (Cisco IOS XE software image). The ROMMON is stored on the following Serial Peripheral Interface (SPI) flash devices on your switch:

  • Primary: The ROMMON stored here is the one the system boots every time the device is powered-on or reset.
  • Golden: The ROMMON stored here is a backup copy. If the one in the primary is corrupted, the system automatically boots the ROMMON in the golden SPI flash device.

ROMMON upgrades may be required to resolve firmware defects, or to support new features, but there may not be new versions with every release.

The following table provides ROMMON version information for the Cisco Catalyst 9600 Series Supervisor Modules. For ROMMON version information of Cisco IOS XE 16.x.x releases, refer to the corresponding Cisco IOS XE 16.x.x release notes of the respective platform.

Release

ROMMON Version (C9600-SUP-1)

ROMMON Version (C9600X-SUP-2)

17.18.1

17.8.1r[FC1]

17.10.1r

17.17.1

17.8.1r[FC1]

17.10.1r

17.16.1

17.8.1r[FC1]

17.10.1r

17.15.4

17.8.1r[FC1]

17.10.1r

17.15.3

17.8.1r[FC1]

17.10.1r

17.15.2

17.8.1r[FC1]

17.10.1r

17.15.1

17.8.1r[FC1]

17.10.1r

17.14.1

17.8.1r[FC1]

17.10.1r

17.13.1

17.8.1r[FC1]

17.10.1r

Dublin 17.12.4

17.8.1r[FC1]

17.10.1r

Dublin 17.12.3

17.8.1r[FC1]

17.10.1r

Dublin 17.12.2

17.8.1r[FC1]

17.10.1r

Dublin 17.12.1

17.8.1r[FC1]

17.10.1r

Dublin 17.11.1

17.8.1r[FC1]

17.10.1r

Dublin 17.10.1

17.8.1r[FC1]

17.10.1r

Cupertino 17.9.5

17.8.1r[FC1]

17.7.1r[FC3]

Cupertino 17.9.4

17.8.1r[FC1]

17.7.1r[FC3]

Cupertino 17.9.3

17.8.1r[FC1]

17.7.1r[FC3]

Cupertino 17.9.2

17.8.1r[FC1]

17.7.1r[FC3]

Cupertino 17.9.1

17.8.1r[FC1]

17.7.1r[FC3]

Cupertino 17.8.1

17.8.1r[FC1]

17.7.1r[FC3]

Cupertino 17.7.1

17.6.1r

17.7.1r[FC3]

Bengaluru 17.6.7

17.6.1r

-

Bengaluru 17.6.6a

17.6.1r

-

Bengaluru 17.6.6

17.6.1r

-

Bengaluru 17.6.5

17.6.1r

-

Bengaluru 17.6.4

17.6.1r

-

Bengaluru 17.6.3

17.6.1r

-

Bengaluru 17.6.2

17.6.1r

-

Bengaluru 17.6.1

17.6.1r

-

Bengaluru 17.5.1

17.3.1r[FC2]

-

Bengaluru 17.4.1

17.3.1r[FC2]

-

Amsterdam 17.3.8a

17.3.1r[FC2]

-

Amsterdam 17.3.8

17.3.1r[FC2]

-

Amsterdam 17.3.7

17.3.1r[FC2]

-

Amsterdam 17.3.6

17.3.1r[FC2]

-

Amsterdam 17.3.5

17.3.1r[FC2]

-

Amsterdam 17.3.4

17.3.1r[FC2]

-

Amsterdam 17.3.3

17.3.1r[FC2]

-

Amsterdam 17.3.2a

17.3.1r[FC2]

-

Amsterdam 17.3.1

17.3.1r[FC2]

-

Amsterdam 17.2.1

17.1.1[FC2]

-

Amsterdam 17.1.1

17.1.1[FC1]

-

Field-Programmable Gate Array Version Upgrade

A field-programmable gate array (FPGA) is a type of programmable memory device that exists on Cisco switches. They are re-configurable logic circuits that enable the creation of specific and dedicated functions.

To check the current FPGA version, enter the show firmware version all command in privileged EXEC mode or the version -v command in ROMMON mode.

 Note
  • Not every software release has a change in the FPGA version.
  • The version change occurs as part of the regular software upgrade and you do not have to perform any other additional steps.

Upgrading and Downgrading the Switch Software

This section covers the various aspects of upgrading or downgrading the device software.

 Note
You cannot use the Web UI to install, upgrade, or downgrade device software.

Upgrading in Install Mode

Follow these instructions to upgrade from one release to another, using install commands, in install mode. To perform a software image upgrade, you must be booted into IOS through boot flash:packages.conf .

Before you begin

 Caution

You must comply with these cautionary guidelines during an upgrade:

  • Do not power cycle the switch.
  • Do not disconnect power or remove the supervisor module.
  • Do not perform an online insertion and replacement (OIR) of either supervisor (in a High Availability setup), if one of the supervisor modules in the chassis is in the process of a bootloader upgrade or when the switch is booting up.
  • Do not perform an OIR of a switching module (linecard) when the switch is booting up.

Note that you can use this procedure for the following upgrade scenarios:

When upgrading from ...

To...

Cisco IOS XE 17.17.x or earlier releases

Cisco IOS XE 17.18.x

This procedure shows the steps to upgrade the Cisco IOS XE software on a switch, from Cisco IOS XE 17.17.1 to Cisco IOS XE 17.18.1 using install commands, followed by sample output.

Step 1

Clean-up

install remove inactive

Use this command to clean-up old installation files in case of insufficient space and to ensure that you have at least 1GB of space in flash, to expand a new image.

Step 2

Copy new image to flash

  1. copy tftp:[[//location]/directory]/filename flash:

    Use this command to copy the new image from a TFTP server to flash memory. The location is either an IP address or a host name. The filename is specified relative to the directory used for file transfers. Skip this step if you want to use the new image from a TFTP server.

  2. dir flash:*.bin

    Use this command to confirm that the image has been successfully copied to flash.

Step 3

Set boot variable

  1. boot system flash:packages.conf

    Use this command to set the boot variable to flash:packages.conf .

  2. no boot manual

    Use this command to configure the switch to auto-boot. Settings are synchronized with the standby switch, if applicable.

  3. write memory

    Use this command to save boot settings.

  4. show bootvar

    Use this command to verify the boot variable (packages.conf) and manual boot setting (no):

Step 4

Install image to flash

install add file activate commit

Use this command to install the image.

We recommend that you point to the source image on a TFTP server or the flash , if you have copied the image to flash memory.

 Note
The system reloads automatically after executing the install add file activate commit command . You do not have to manually reload the system.

Step 5

Verify installation

After the software has been successfully installed, use the dir flash: command to verify that the flash partition has ten new .pkg files and two .conf files.

  1. dir flash:*.conf

  2. dir flash:*.conf

Step 6

Verify version

show version

After the image boots up, use this command to verify the version of the new image.

Example

The following sample output displays the cleaning up of unused files, by using the install remove inactive command:
Switch# install remove inactive

install_remove: START Thu Jul 31 19:51:48 UTC 2025
Cleaning up unnecessary package files
Scanning boot directory for packages ... done.
Preparing packages list to delete ...
    cat9k-cc_srdriver.17.17.01.SPA.pkg
      File is in use, will not delete.
    cat9k-espbase.17.17.01.SPA.pkg
      File is in use, will not delete.
    cat9k-guestshell.17.17.01.SPA.pkg
      File is in use, will not delete.
    cat9k-rpbase.17.17.01.SPA.pkg
      File is in use, will not delete.
    cat9k-rpboot.17.17.01.SPA.pkg
      File is in use, will not delete.
    cat9k-sipbase.17.17.01.SPA.pkg
      File is in use, will not delete.
    cat9k-sipspa.17.17.01.SPA.pkg
      File is in use, will not delete.
    cat9k-srdriver.17.17.01.SPA.pkg
      File is in use, will not delete.
    cat9k-webui.17.17.01.SPA.pkg
      File is in use, will not delete.
    cat9k-wlc.17.17.01.SPA.pkg
      File is in use, will not delete.
    packages.conf
      File is in use, will not delete.
  done.
 
The following files will be deleted:
[switch 1]:
/flash/cat9k-cc_srdriver.17.17.01.SPA.pkg
/flash/cat9k-espbase.17.17.01.SPA.pkg
/flash/cat9k-guestshell.17.17.01.SPA.pkg
/flash/cat9k-rpbase.17.17.01.SPA.pkg
/flash/cat9k-rpboot.17.17.01.SPA.pkg
/flash/cat9k-sipbase.17.17.01.SPA.pkg
/flash/cat9k-sipspa.17.17.01.SPA.pkg
/flash/cat9k-srdriver.17.17.01.SPA.pkg
/flash/cat9k-webui.17.17.01.SPA.pkg
/flash/cat9k-wlc.17.17.01.SPA.pkg
/flash/packages.conf
 
Do you want to remove the above files? [y/n]y

[switch 1]:
Deleting file flash:cat9k-cc_srdriver.17.17.01.SPA.pkg ... done.
Deleting file flash:cat9k-espbase.17.17.01.SPA.pkg ... done.
Deleting file flash:cat9k-guestshell.17.17.01.SPA.pkg ... done.
Deleting file flash:cat9k-rpbase.17.17.01.SPA.pkg ... done.
Deleting file flash:cat9k-rpboot.17.17.01.SPA.pkg ... done.
Deleting file flash:cat9k-sipbase.17.17.01.SPA.pkg ... done.
Deleting file flash:cat9k-sipspa.17.17.01.SPA.pkg ... done.
Deleting file flash:cat9k-srdriver.17.17.01.SPA.pkg ... done.
Deleting file flash:cat9k-webui.17.17.01.SPA.pkg ... done.
Deleting file flash:cat9k-wlc.17.17.01.SPA.pkg ... done.
Deleting file flash:packages.conf ... done.
SUCCESS: Files deleted.
--- Starting Post_Remove_Cleanup ---
Performing Post_Remove_Cleanup on all members
[1] Post_Remove_Cleanup package(s) on switch 1
[1] Finished Post_Remove_Cleanup on switch 1
Checking status of Post_Remove_Cleanup on [1]
Post_Remove_Cleanup: Passed on [1]
Finished Post_Remove_Cleanup
 
SUCCESS: install_remove Thu Jul 31 19:52:25 UTC 2025
Switch#
Switch# copy tftp://10.8.0.6/image/cat9k_iosxe.17.18.01.SPA.bin flash:

destination filename [cat9k_iosxe.17.18.01.SPA.bin]?
Accessing tftp://10.8.0.6/image/cat9k_iosxe.17.18.01.SPA.bin...
Loading /cat9k_iosxe.17.18.01.SPA.bin from 10.8.0.6 (via GigabitEthernet0/0): 
!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
[OK - 601216545 bytes]
 
601216545 bytes copied in 50.649 secs (11870255 bytes/sec)

 
Switch# dir flash:*.bin

Directory of flash:/*.bin
 
Directory of flash:/
 
434184 -rw- 601216545    Jul 31 2025 10:18:11 -07:00 cat9k_iosxe.17.18.01.SPA.bin
11353194496 bytes total (8976625664 bytes free)


Switch(config)# boot system flash:packages.conf

Switch(config)# no boot manual
Switch(config)# exit
Switch# write memory
Switch# show bootvar
BOOT variable = bootflash:packages.conf
MANUAL_BOOT variable = no
BAUD variable = 9600
ENABLE_BREAK variable = yes
BOOTMODE variable does not exist
IPXE_TIMEOUT variable does not exist
CONFIG_FILE variable = 

Standby BOOT variable = bootflash:packages.conf
Standby MANUAL_BOOT variable = no
Standby BAUD variable = 9600
Standby ENABLE_BREAK variable = yes
Standby BOOTMODE variable does not exist
Standby IPXE_TIMEOUT variable does not exist
Standby CONFIG_FILE variable =
The following sample output displays installation of the Cisco IOS XE 17.18.1 software image to flash: 
Switch# install add file flash:cat9k_iosxe.17.18.01.SPA.bin activate commit
_install_add_activate_commit: START Thu Jul 31 16:37:25 IST 2025

*Jul 31 16:37:26.544 IST: %INSTALL-5-INSTALL_START_INFO: R0/0: install_engine: Started install one-shot flash:cat9k_iosxe.17.18.01.SPA.bin 
install_add_activate_commit: Adding PACKAGE
install_add_activate_commit: Checking whether new add is allowed ....

This operation requires a reload of the system. Do you want to proceed? 
Please confirm you have changed boot config to flash:packages.conf [y/n]y

--- Starting initial file syncing ---
Copying image file: flash:cat9k_iosxe.17.18.01.SPA.bin to standby
Info: Finished copying flash:cat9k_iosxe.17.18.01.SPA.bin to standby
Finished initial file syncing

--- Starting Add ---
Performing Add on Active/Standby
  [R0] Add package(s) on R0
  [R0] Finished Add on R0
  [R1] Add package(s) on R1
  [R1] Finished Add on R1
Checking status of Add on [R0 R1]
Add: Passed on [R0 R1]
Finished Add

Image added. Version: 17.18.01

install_add_activate_commit: Activating PACKAGE
Following packages shall be activated:
/flash/cat9k-wlc.17.18.01.SPA.pkg
/flash/cat9k-webui.17.18.01.SPA.pkg
/flash/cat9k-srdriver.17.18.01.SPA.pkg
/flash/cat9k-sipspa.17.18.01.SPA.pkg
/flash/cat9k-sipbase.17.18.01.SPA.pkg
/flash/cat9k-rpboot.17.18.01.SPA.pkg
/flash/cat9k-rpbase.17.18.01.SPA.pkg
/flash/cat9k-guestshell.17.18.01.SPA.pkg
/flash/cat9k-espbase.17.18.01.SPA.pkg
/flash/cat9k-cc_srdriver.17.18.01.SPA.pkg

This operation may require a reload of the system. Do you want to proceed? [y/n]y

--- Starting Activate ---
Performing Activate on Active/Standby
*Jul 31 16:45:21.695 IST: %INSTALL-5-INSTALL_AUTO_ABORT_TIMER_PROGRESS: R0/0: rollback_timer: Install auto abort timer will expire in 7200 seconds  [R0] Activate package(s) on R0
  [R0] Finished Activate on R0
  [R1] Activate package(s) on R1
  [R1] Finished Activate on R1
Checking status of Activate on [R0 R1]
Activate: Passed on [R0 R1]
Finished Activate

*Jul 31 16:45:25.233 IST: %INSTALL-5-INSTALL_AUTO_ABORT_TIMER_PROGRESS: R1/0: rollback_timer: Install auto abort timer will expire in 7200 seconds--- Starting Commit ---
Performing Commit on Active/Standby
  [R0] Commit package(s) on R0
  [R0] Finished Commit on R0
  [R1] Commit package(s) on R1
  [R1] Finished Commit on R1
Checking status of Commit on [R0 R1]
Commit: Passed on [R0 R1]
Finished Commit

Install will reload the system now!
SUCCESS: install_add_activate_commit  Thu Jul 31 16:46:18 IST 2025
The following is sample output of the dir flash:*.pkg command: 
Switch# dir flash:*.pkg
Directory of flash:/*.pkg
Directory of flash:/
475140 -rw- 2012104    Mar 25 2025 09:52:41 -07:00 cat9k-cc_srdriver.17.17.01.SPA.pkg
475141 -rw- 70333380   Mar 25 2025 09:52:44 -07:00 cat9k-espbase.17.17.01.SPA.pkg
475142 -rw- 13256      Mar 25 2025 09:52:44 -07:00 cat9k-guestshell.17.17.01.SPA.pkg
475143 -rw- 349635524  Mar 25 2025 09:52:54 -07:00 cat9k-rpbase.17.17.01.SPA.pkg
475149 -rw- 24248187   Mar 25 2025 09:53:02 -07:00 cat9k-rpboot.17.17.01.SPA.pkg
475144 -rw- 25285572   Mar 25 2025 09:52:55 -07:00 cat9k-sipbase.17.17.01.SPA.pkg
475145 -rw- 20947908   Mar 25 2025 09:52:55 -07:00 cat9k-sipspa.17.17.01.SPA.pkg
475146 -rw- 2962372    Mar 25 2025 09:52:56 -07:00 cat9k-srdriver.17.17.01.SPA.pkg
475147 -rw- 13284288   Mar 25 2025 09:52:56 -07:00 cat9k-webui.17.17.01.SPA.pkg
475148 -rw- 13248      Mar 25 2025 09:52:56 -07:00 cat9k-wlc.17.17.01.SPA.pkg

491524 -rw- 25711568   Jul 31 2025 11:49:33 -07:00  cat9k-cc_srdriver.17.18.01.SPA.pkg
491525 -rw- 78484428   Jul 31 2025 11:49:35 -07:00  cat9k-espbase.17.18.01.SPA.pkg
491526 -rw- 1598412    Jul 31 2025 11:49:35 -07:00  cat9k-guestshell.17.18.01.SPA.pkg
491527 -rw- 404153288  Jul 31 2025 11:49:47 -07:00  cat9k-rpbase.17.18.01.SPA.pkg
491533 -rw- 31657374   Jul 31 2025 11:50:09 -07:00  cat9k-rpboot.17.18.01.SPA.pkg
491528 -rw- 27681740   Jul 31 2025 11:49:48 -07:00  cat9k-sipbase.17.18.01.SPA.pkg
491529 -rw- 52224968   Jul 31 2025 11:49:49 -07:00  cat9k-sipspa.17.18.01.SPA.pkg
491530 -rw- 31130572   Jul 31 2025 11:49:50 -07:00  cat9k-srdriver.17.18.01.SPA.pkg
491531 -rw- 14783432   Jul 31 2025 11:49:51 -07:00  cat9k-webui.17.18.01.SPA.pkg
491532 -rw- 9160       Jul 31 2025 11:49:51 -07:00  cat9k-wlc.17.18.01.SPA.pkg

11353194496 bytes total (8963174400 bytes free)

The following is sample output of the dir flash:*.conf command. It displays the .conf files in the flash partition; note the two .conf files:

  • packages.conf—the file that has been re-written with the newly installed .pkg files.
  • cat9k_iosxe.17.18.01.SPA.conf— a backup copy of the newly installed packages.conf file. 
Switch# dir flash:*.conf
 
Directory of flash:/*.conf
Directory of flash:/

16631  -rw- 4882 Jul 31 2025 05:39:42 +00:00  packages.conf
16634  -rw- 4882 Jul 31 2025 05:34:06 +00:00  cat9k_iosxe.17.18.01.SPA.conf
The following sample output of the show version command displays the Cisco IOS XE 17.18.1 image on the device:
Switch# show version

Cisco IOS XE Software, Version 17.18.01
Cisco IOS Software, Catalyst L3 Switch Software (CAT9K_IOSXE), Version 17.18.1, RELEASE SOFTWARE (fc1)
Technical Support: http://www.cisco.com/techsupport
Copyright (c) 1986-2025 by Cisco Systems, Inc..
<output truncated>

Downgrading in Install Mode

Follow these instructions to downgrade from one release to another, in install mode. To perform a software image downgrade, you must be booted into IOS through boot flash:packages.conf .

Before you begin

Note that you can use this procedure for the following downgrade scenarios:

When downgrading from ...

To ...

Cisco IOS XE 17.18.x

Cisco IOS XE 17.17.x or earlier releases.

 Note
New switch models that are introduced in a release cannot be downgraded. The release in which a module is introduced is the minimum software version for that model. We recommend upgrading all existing hardware to the same release as the latest hardware.

This procedure shows the steps to downgrade the Cisco IOS XE software on a switch, from Cisco IOS XE 17.18.1 to Cisco IOS XE 17.17.1 using install commands, followed by sample output.

Step 1

Clean-up

install remove inactive

Use this command to clean-up old installation files in case of insufficient space and to ensure that you have at least 1GB of space in flash, to expand a new image.

Step 2

Copy new image to flash

  1. copy tftp:[[//location]/directory]/filename flash:

    Use this command to copy the new image from a TFTP server to flash memory. The location is either an IP address or a host name. The filename is specified relative to the directory used for file transfers. Skip this step if you want to use the new image from a TFTP server.

  2. dir flash:

    Use this command to confirm that the image has been successfully copied to flash.

Step 3

Set boot variable

  1. boot system flash:packages.conf

    Use this command to set the boot variable to flash:packages.conf .

  2. no boot manual

    Use this command to configure the switch to auto-boot. Settings are synchronized with the standby switch, if applicable.

  3. write memory

    Use this command to save boot settings.

  4. show bootvar

    Use this command to verify the boot variable (packages.conf) and manual boot setting (no):

Step 4

Downgrade software image

install add file activate commit

Use this command to install the image.

We recommend that you point to the source image on a TFTP server or the flash , if you have copied the image to flash memory.

 Note
The system reloads automatically after executing the install add file activate commit command. You do not have to manually reload the system.

Step 5

Verify version

show version

After the image boots up, use this command to verify the version of the new image.

 Note
When you downgrade the software image, the ROMMON version does not downgrade. It remains updated.

Example

The following sample output displays the cleaning up of unused files, by using the install remove inactive command:
Switch# install remove inactive
 install_remove: START Thu Jul 31 11:42:27 IST 2025

Cleaning up unnecessary package files

No path specified, will use booted path bootflash:packages.conf

Cleaning bootflash:
  Scanning boot directory for packages ... done.
  Preparing packages list to delete ... 
    cat9k-cc_srdriver.17.18.01.SSA.pkg
      File is in use, will not delete.
    cat9k-espbase.17.18.01.SSA.pkg
      File is in use, will not delete.
    cat9k-guestshell.17.18.01.SSA.pkg
      File is in use, will not delete.
    cat9k-rpbase.17.18.01.SSA.pkg
      File is in use, will not delete.
    cat9k-rpboot.17.18.01.SSA.pkg
      File is in use, will not delete.
    cat9k-sipbase.17.18.01.SSA.pkg
      File is in use, will not delete.
    cat9k-sipspa.17.18.01.SSA.pkg
      File is in use, will not delete.
    cat9k-srdriver.17.18.01.SSA.pkg
      File is in use, will not delete.
    cat9k-webui.17.18.01.SSA.pkg
      File is in use, will not delete.
    cat9k-wlc.17.18.01.SSA.pkg
      File is in use, will not delete.
    packages.conf
      File is in use, will not delete.
  done.
SUCCESS: No extra package or provisioning files found on media. Nothing to clean.

SUCCESS: install_remove  Thu Jul 31 11:42:39 IST 2025

--- Starting Post_Remove_Cleanup ---
Performing Post_Remove_Cleanup on all members
[1] Post_Remove_Cleanup package(s) on switch 1
[1] Finished Post_Remove_Cleanup on switch 1
Checking status of Post_Remove_Cleanup on [1]
Post_Remove_Cleanup: Passed on [1]
Finished Post_Remove_Cleanup
 
SUCCESS: install_remove Thu Jul 31 19:52:25 UTC 2025
Switch#


Switch# copy tftp://10.8.0.6/image/cat9k_iosxe.17.17.01.SPA.bin flash:
Destination filename [cat9k_iosxe.17.17.01.SPA.bin]?
Accessing tftp://10.8.0.6//cat9k_iosxe.17.17.01.SPA.bin...
Loading /cat9k_iosxe.17.17.01.SPA.bin from 10.8.0.6 (via GigabitEthernet0/0): 
!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
[OK - 508584771 bytes]
508584771 bytes copied in 101.005 secs (5035244 bytes/sec)
 

Switch# dir flash:*.bin
Directory of flash:/*.bin
 
Directory of flash:/
 
434184 -rw- 508584771 Jul 31 2025 13:35:16 -07:00 cat9k_iosxe.17.17.01.SPA.bin
11353194496 bytes total (9055866880 bytes free)


Switch(config)# boot system flash:packages.conf

Switch(config)# no boot manual
Switch(config)# exit
Switch# write memory
Switch# show bootvar
BOOT variable = bootflash:packages.conf
MANUAL_BOOT variable = no
BAUD variable = 9600
ENABLE_BREAK variable = yes
BOOTMODE variable does not exist
IPXE_TIMEOUT variable does not exist
CONFIG_FILE variable = 

Standby BOOT variable = bootflash:packages.conf
Standby MANUAL_BOOT variable = no
Standby BAUD variable = 9600
Standby ENABLE_BREAK variable = yes
Standby BOOTMODE variable does not exist
Standby IPXE_TIMEOUT variable does not exist
Standby CONFIG_FILE variable =
The following example displays the installation of the Cisco IOS XE 17.17.1 software image to flash, by using the install add file activate commit command. 
Switch# install add file flash:cat9k_iosxe.17.17.01.SPA.bin activate commit

_install_add_activate_commit: START Thu Jul 31 21:37:25 IST 2025

*Jul 31 16:37:26.544 IST: %INSTALL-5-INSTALL_START_INFO: R0/0: install_engine: Started install one-shot flash:cat9k_iosxe.17.17.01.SPA.bin 
install_add_activate_commit: Adding PACKAGE
install_add_activate_commit: Checking whether new add is allowed ....

This operation requires a reload of the system. Do you want to proceed? 
Please confirm you have changed boot config to flash:packages.conf [y/n]y

--- Starting initial file syncing ---
Copying image file: flash:cat9k_iosxe.17.17.01.SPA.bin to standby
Info: Finished copying flash:cat9k_iosxe.17.17.01.SPA.bin to standby
Finished initial file syncing

--- Starting Add ---
Performing Add on Active/Standby
  [R0] Add package(s) on R0
  [R0] Finished Add on R0
  [R1] Add package(s) on R1
  [R1] Finished Add on R1
Checking status of Add on [R0 R1]
Add: Passed on [R0 R1]
Finished Add

Image added. Version: 17.17.1
install_add_activate_commit: Activating PACKAGE
Following packages shall be activated:
/flash/cat9k-wlc.17.17.01.SPA.pkg
/flash/cat9k-webui.17.17.01.SPA.pkg
/flash/cat9k-srdriver.17.17.01.SPA.pkg
/flash/cat9k-sipspa.17.17.01.SPA.pkg
/flash/cat9k-sipbase.17.17.01.SPA.pkg
/flash/cat9k-rpboot.17.17.01.SPA.pkg
/flash/cat9k-rpbase.17.17.01.SPA.pkg
/flash/cat9k-guestshell.17.17.01.SPA.pkg
/flash/cat9k-espbase.17.17.01.SPA.pkg
/flash/cat9k-cc_srdriver.17.17.01.SPA.pkg

This operation may require a reload of the system. Do you want to proceed? [y/n]y

--- Starting Activate ---
Performing Activate on Active/Standby

*Jul 31 21:45:21.695 IST: %INSTALL-5-INSTALL_AUTO_ABORT_TIMER_PROGRESS: R0/0: rollback_timer: Install auto abort timer will expire in 7200 seconds  [R0] Activate package(s) on R0
  [R0] Finished Activate on R0
  [R1] Activate package(s) on R1
  [R1] Finished Activate on R1
Checking status of Activate on [R0 R1]
Activate: Passed on [R0 R1]
Finished Activate


*Jul 31 21:45:25.233 IST: %INSTALL-5-INSTALL_AUTO_ABORT_TIMER_PROGRESS: R1/0: rollback_timer: Install auto abort timer will expire in 7200 seconds--- Starting Commit ---
Performing Commit on Active/Standby
  [R0] Commit package(s) on R0
  [R0] Finished Commit on R0
  [R1] Commit package(s) on R1
  [R1] Finished Commit on R1
Checking status of Commit on [R0 R1]
Commit: Passed on [R0 R1]
Finished Commit

Install will reload the system now!
SUCCESS: install_add_activate_commit  Thu Jul 31 21:46:18 IST 2025
The following sample output of the show version command displays the Cisco IOS XE 17.17.1 image on the device:
Switch# show version
Cisco IOS XE Software, Version 17.17.01
Cisco IOS Software [Dublin], Catalyst L3 Switch Software (CAT9K_IOSXE), Version 17.17.1, RELEASE SOFTWARE (fc1)
Technical Support: http://www.cisco.com/techsupport
Copyright (c) 1986-2025 by Cisco Systems, Inc.
<output truncated>

Upgrading the ROMMON

To know the ROMMON or bootloader version that applies to every major and maintenance release, see ROMMON Versions.

You can upgrade the ROMMON before, or, after upgrading the software version. If a new ROMMON version is available for the software version you are upgrading to, proceed as follows:

  • Upgrading the ROMMON in the primary SPI flash device This ROMMON is upgraded automatically. When you upgrade from an existing release on your switch to a later or newer release for the first time, and there is a new ROMMON version in the new release, the system automatically upgrades the ROMMON in the primary SPI flash device, based on the hardware version of the switch.
  • Upgrading the ROMMON in the golden SPI flash device You must manually upgrade this ROMMON. Enter the upgrade rom-monitor capsule golden switch command in privileged EXEC mode.
     Note
    • In case of a Cisco StackWise Virtual setup, upgrade the active and standby supervisor modules.
    • In case of a High Availability set up, upgrade the active and standby supervisor modules.

After the ROMMON is upgraded, it will take effect on the next reload. If you go back to an older release after this, the ROMMON is not downgraded. The updated ROMMON supports all previous releases.

In-Service Software Upgrade with Cisco Stackwise Virtual

In-Service Software Upgrade (ISSU) is a process that upgrades an image to another image on a device while the network continues to forward packets. ISSU helps network administrators avoid a network outage when performing a software upgrade. ISSU is supported in install mode.

ISSU is supported in dual SUP HA and StackWise Virtual system. In-Service Software Upgrade is performed either in a single step or in three-steps.

ISSU Support between Releases

  • Within a major release train (16.x or 17.x or 18.x ), ISSU is supported between any two Extended Maintenance (EM) releases that are released not more than 3 years apart.
  • Within a major release train, ISSU is supported from:
    • Any EM (EM1, EM2, EM3) release to another EM (EM1, EM2, EM3) release Example: 16.9.x to 16.12, 17.3.x to 17.6.x, 17.3.x to 17.9.x, 17.3.x to 17.12.x and so on 17.6.x to 17.9.x, 17.6.x to 17.12.x, 17.6.x to 17.15.x and so on 17.9.x to 17.12.x, 17.9.x to 17.15.x and so on
    • Any release within the same EM release Example: 16.9.2 to 16.9.3 or 16.9.4 or 16.9.x 16.12.1 to 16.12.2 or 16.12.3 or 16.12.x 17.3.1 to 17.3.2 or 17.3.3 or 17.3.x
  • ISSU Recommendation: From any EM recommended release on CCO to current EM Recommended release on CCO.
 Note

The snmp-server enable traps energywise command and related subcommands must be removed before upgrading to Cisco IOS XE 17.15.1 and 17.15.2 using ISSU.

See In-Service Software Upgrade (ISSU) for information on ISSU support for Catalyst platforms and Software Lifecycle Support Statement for information extended and standard maintenance releases.

Scaling Information

For information about feature scaling guidelines, see the Cisco Catalyst 9600 Series Switches datasheets at:

https://www.cisco.com/c/en/us/products/collateral/switches/catalyst-9600-series-switches/nb-06-cat9600-series-data-sheet-cte-en.html

https://www.cisco.com/c/en/us/products/collateral/switches/catalyst-9600-series-switches/nb-06-cat9600-series-line-data-sheet-cte-en.html

https://www.cisco.com/c/en/us/products/collateral/switches/catalyst-9600-series-switches/nb-06-cat9600-ser-sup-eng-data-sheet-cte-en.html

Related Content

This section provides links to the product documentation and troubleshooting information.

Troubleshooting

For the most up-to-date, detailed troubleshooting information, see the Cisco TAC website at Support & Downloads.

Go to Product Support and select your product from the list or enter the name of your product. Look under Troubleshoot and Alerts, to find information for the problem that you are experiencing.

Accessing Hidden Commands

This section provides information about hidden commands in Cisco IOS XE and the security measures that are in place, when they are accessed. These commands are only meant to assist Cisco TAC in advanced troubleshooting and are not documented.

Hidden commands are available under:

  • Category 1—Hidden commands in privileged or User EXEC mode. Begin by entering the service internal command to access these commands.
  • Category 2—Hidden commands in one of the configuration modes (global, interface and so on). These commands do not require the service internal command.

Further, the following applies to hidden commands under Category 1 and 2:

  • The commands have CLI help. Enter enter a question mark (?) at the system prompt to display the list of available commands. Note: For Category 1, enter the service internal command before you enter the question mark; you do not have to do this for Category 2.
  • The system generates a %PARSER-5-HIDDEN syslog message when a hidden command is used. For example: 
    *Feb 14 10:44:37.917: %PARSER-5-HIDDEN: Warning!!! 'show processes memory old-header ' is a hidden command. 
Use of this command is not recommended/supported and will be removed in future.

Apart from category 1 and 2, there remain internal commands displayed on the CLI, for which the system does NOT generate the %PARSER-5-HIDDEN syslog message.

 Important

We recommend that you use any hidden command only under TAC supervision.

If you find that you are using a hidden command, open a TAC case for help with finding another way of collecting the same information as the hidden command (for a hidden EXEC mode command), or to configure the same functionality (for a hidden configuration mode command) using non-hidden commands.

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Cisco Bug Search Tool

Cisco Bug Search Tool (BST) is a web-based tool that acts as a gateway to the Cisco bug tracking system that maintains a comprehensive list of defects and vulnerabilities in Cisco products and software. BST provides you with detailed defect information about your products and software.