Upgrading a Cisco Catalyst 9300 Switch in Install Mode
In this post, I will explain how to upgrade a Cisco Catalyst 9300 switch in install mode.
An install mode upgrade on a Cisco Catalyst 9300 switch involves upgrading the switch's software using individual software packages rather than a single, large image file.
Remove any boot images
Switch#conf ter
Enter configuration commands, one per line. End with CNTL/Z.
Switch(config)# no boot system <image-name>Changing the boot image to packages.conf file.
Switch#conf ter
Enter configuration commands, one per line. End with CNTL/Z.
Switch(config)# boot system flash:packages.conf
Switch(config)# do wr💡
Ensure that you have already installed the new image on the device's flash memory and verified its integrity.
Copy the Image:
Switch#copy usbflash0:<file_name>.bin flash:
Verify the Image:
Switch#verify /md5 flash:<file_name>.bin
Copy the Image:
Switch#copy usbflash0:<file_name>.bin flash:
Verify the Image:
Switch#verify /md5 flash:<file_name>.bin
Start installing the new image file:
Switch#install add file flash:cat9k_iosxe.17.09.04a.SPA.bin activate commitThis will start certain of processes and you will probably see a similar output like below:
Switch#install add file flash:cat9k_iosxe.17.09.04a.SPA.bin activate commit
install_add_activate_commit: START Wed Nov 27 09:19:24 UTC 2024
install_add: START Wed Nov 27 09:19:24 UTC 2024
install_add: Adding IMG
[5] Switch 5 Warning!!! Image is being downgraded from 17.12.04.0.4826 to 17.09.04a.0.6.
[4] Switch 4 Warning!!! Image is being downgraded from 17.12.04.0.4826 to 17.09.04a.0.6.
[2] Switch 2 Warning!!! Image is being downgraded from 17.12.04.0.4826 to 17.09.04a.0.6.
[3] Switch 3 Warning!!! Image is being downgraded from 17.12.04.0.4826 to 17.09.04a.0.6.
--- Starting initial file syncing ---
Copying flash:cat9k_iosxe.17.09.04a.SPA.bin from Switch 1 to Switch 1 2 3 4 5
Info: Finished copying to the selected Switch
Finished initial file syncing
--- Starting Add ---
Performing Add on all members
Checking status of Add on [1 2 3 4 5]
Add: Passed on [1 2 3 4 5]
Image added. Version: 17.09.04a.0.6
Finished Add
install_activate: START Wed Nov 27 09:21:46 UTC 2024
install_activate: Activating IMG
Following packages shall be activated:
/flash/cat9k-cc_srdriver.17.09.04a.SPA.pkg
/flash/cat9k-espbase.17.09.04a.SPA.pkg
/flash/cat9k-guestshell.17.09.04a.SPA.pkg
/flash/cat9k-lni.17.09.04a.SPA.pkg
/flash/cat9k-rpbase.17.09.04a.SPA.pkg
/flash/cat9k-sipbase.17.09.04a.SPA.pkg
/flash/cat9k-sipspa.17.09.04a.SPA.pkg
/flash/cat9k-srdriver.17.09.04a.SPA.pkg
/flash/cat9k-webui.17.09.04a.SPA.pkg
/flash/cat9k-wlc.17.09.04a.SPA.pkg
/flash/cat9k-rpboot.17.09.04a.SPA.pkgProceed for reload operation by selecting "y"
This operation may require a reload of the system. Do you want to proceed? [y/n]yAfterwards the device comes back in new image
--- Starting Activate ---
Performing Activate on all members
[1] Activate package(s) on Switch 1
[2] Activate package(s) on Switch 2
[3] Activate package(s) on Switch 3
[4] Activate package(s) on Switch 4
[5] Activate package(s) on Switch 5
[4] Finished Activate on Switch 4
[5] Finished Activate on Switch 5
[3] Finished Activate on Switch 3
[2] Finished Activate on Switch 2
[1] Finished Activate on Switch 1
Checking status of Activate on [1 2 3 4 5]
Activate: Passed on [1 2 3 4 5]
Finished Activate
--- Starting Commit ---
Performing Commit on all members
[1] Commit package(s) on Switch 1
[2] Commit package(s) on Switch 2
[5] Commit package(s) on Switch 5
[4] Commit package(s) on Switch 4
[3] Commit package(s) on Switch 3
[5] Finished Commit on Switch 5
[3] Finished Commit on Switch 3
[4] Finished Commit on Switch 4
[2] Finished Commit on Switch 2
[1] Finished Commit on Switch 1
Checking status of Commit on [1 2 3 4 5]
Commit: Passed on [1 2 3 4 5]
Finished Commit operation
MM [1] MCU version 224 sw ver 228
MM [2] MCU version 224 sw ver 228
MCU UPGRADE IN PROGRESS... PLEASE DO NOT POWER CYCLE!!
Front-end Microcode IMG MGR: found 4 microcode images for.
Image for front-end 0: /tmp/microcode_update/front_end/fe_type_6_0 update needed: no
Image for front-end 0: /tmp/microcode_update/front_end/fe_type_6_1 update needed: yes
Image for front-end 0: /tmp/microcode_update/front_end/fe_type_6_3 update needed: no
Front-end Microcode IMG aring to program device microcode...
Front-end Microcode IMG MGR: Preparing to program device[0], index=0 ...594412 bytes.... Skipped[0].
Front-end Microcode IMG MGR: Preparing todevice[0], index=1 ...578044 bytes.
Front-end Microcode IMG MGR: Programming device 0...rwRrrrrrrw..0%..................................................................................................10%..........................................................................................................20%...................................................................................................30%...........................................................................................................40%...................................................................................................50%..................................................................................................60%............................................................................................................70%.................................................................................................80%.....................................................................................................................90%..........................................................................................................100%
Front-end Microcode IMG MGR: Preparing to program device[0], index=2 ...24506 bytes.
Front-end Microcode IMG MGR: Programming device 0...rrrrrrw..0%....10%....20%......30%...40%....50%......60%....70%.....80%....90%....100%w
Wating for MCU to come up .....Rr!
MCU UPGRADE COMPLETED!!...SUCCESS: install_add_activate_commit Wed Nov 27 09:32:02 UTC 2024
Switch#
Chassis 3 reloading, reason - Reload command
Nov 27 09:32:11.693: %PMAN-5-EXITACTION: F0/0: pvp: Process manager is exiting: reload fp action requested
Nov 27 09:32:13.460: %PMAN-5-EXITACTION: R0/0: pvp: Process manager is exiting: rp processes exit with reload switch code💡
If there is not enough space in the flash memory, you can use the following command to free up some space:
Switch#install remove inactive
Switch#install remove inactive
You can see official cisco web site information and also you can check the official demostration from cisco in youtube.
In conclusion, I wanted to share this procedure to help you successfully upgrade your Cisco Catalyst 9300 switch in install mode. Thank you for reading, and I hope you found this information helpful and informative.
