9/27/2018 Upgrading Cisco IOS-XE Software (Install Mode)

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Upgrading Cisco IOS-XE Software

(Install Mode)

ON NOVEMBER 3, 2017APRIL 8, 2018 / BY MIKE / IN

CISCO
I got my hands on a Cisco Catalyst 3650-48PD-L switch which is the
first access level switch that I’ve dealt with that is running IOS-XE.
IOS-XE isn’t new, I prefer is over IOS because of its Linux base and
the processing advantages it has. So today we will be going through
the software upgrade process for a 3650 running in install mode.

You can view my other post on how to convert IOS XE from Bundled
running mode to Install running mode.

Converting Cisco IOS-XE Software from Bundle Mode to Install

Mode (h ps://apronets.wordpress.com/2018/04/04/converting-cisco-
ios-xe-software-from-bundle-mode-to-install-mode/)

As a quick introduction, here are some differences between IOS and

IOS-XE.

IOS

Monolithic – The OS and its processes run in the same address

space on the same hardware.
A single process could crash the entire system

IOS-XE

Runs a Linux OS
Modular System
Multiprocessing allows for workloads to be shared across
multiple CPUs.
Individual sub packages create IOS-XE that can be upgraded
individually

Now that you have some understanding of the differences between

IOS and IOS-XE you need to understand that there are two mode of
operation.

The Cisco Catalyst 3650 and 3850 series switches have two modes of
operation, Install Mode and Bundle Mode.

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9/27/2018 Upgrading Cisco IOS-XE Software (Install Mode)

Install Mode

Install mode uses a package-provisioning file named packages.conf,

which is in charge of booting the switch. There are several .pkg files
found in the flash drive that provide specific function to the OS. Cisco
recommend not altering any of the files.

Bundle Mode

Bundle mode uses monolithic Cisco IOS images to boot the switch. It
consumes more memory than Install mode because packages are
extracted from the bundle and copied to RAM.

I would suggest operating in Install mode as this is the default, and

provides you with a modular system, you can switch them if you
choose.

Lets continue into our upgrade..

You can see from the output of the 3650 that the current software
version is 03.06.05b.e and it is running in Install Mode.

Download your image from Cisco. The new software version here
will be 03.06.06E. I have chosen to use a USB drive to place my source
image on, but you can still use a transfer protocol like TFTP or SCP.

After confirming that you have your source image in it’s proper
location, execute the following command on the switch with your
source image accurately defined.

Switch#software install file usbflash0:cat3k_caa-

universalk9.SPA.03.06.06.E.152-2.E6.bin

The switch prepares the image for installation, below you see the
switch performing pre-installation tasks. It will ask you to confirm a
reload. Confirm a reload by typing Yes.

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It will take several minutes to reload, during the reload processes the
switch does several post installation tasks such as updating the Front-
end Microcode.

Once the switch has successfully finished reloading, you can log back
in and confirm that the new version was successfully applied. Below
we have successfully loaded 03.06.06E onto the switch.

As a post clean up task you should execute the command software

clean switch 1. This will remove the packages.conf and .pkg files
associated to the old image.

Switch#software clean switch 1

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Here is what the flash looks like post upgrade..

That wraps up the upgrade process. I hope that this has been helpful
for you.

Mike

h ps://www.cisco.com/c/en/us/td/docs/switches/lan/Denali_16-
1/ConfigExamples_Technotes/Config_Examples/Misc/qos/m_install_v
s_bundle.html#task_991364C7181E4282B54C9950B2C13B29
(h ps://www.cisco.com/c/en/us/td/docs/switches/lan/Denali_16-
1/ConfigExamples_Technotes/Config_Examples/Misc/qos/m_install_v
s_bundle.html#task_991364C7181E4282B54C9950B2C13B29)

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One thought on “Upgrading Cisco IOS-

XE Software (Install Mode)”

1. kannan
good explanation

AUGUST 7, 2018 AT 7:54 AM REPLY

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