Tag: Catalyst

Catalyst 9200, Upgrading IOS-XE Amsterdam 17.3.x (Install Mode)

On By MikeIn SwitchingLeave a comment

Starting with IOS-XE 17.3.2 and future releases, Cisco implemented Smart Licensing using Policy. Be sure to read up on what this means in this post Update to Cisco Smart Licensing. If you need to review how to change operating modes, you can check this post Converting Cisco IOS-XE Software from Bundle Mode to Install Mode.

You may notice the new command no boot manual. What this essentially is doing is setting the config register to 0x2102. Classic platforms that run on IOS code version; you can set this via the config-register command. However, on Catalyst 9K switches that run IOS-XE, the config-register command was ineffective and malfunctioned, causing confusion.

To prevent the switch from rebooting into ROMmon mode (boot the switch normally), use the no boot manual command as shown in the code snippet below.

OperationIOS Config-register valueEquivalent IOS-XE CLI
Boot normally0x2102Switch(config)#no boot manual
Boot to rommon0x0,0x2120Switch(config)#boot manual
Step 1. Remove Unwanted Packages
C9200K#install remove inactive
Step 2. Copy New Image to Flash
C9200K#copy usbflash1:cat9k_lite_iosxexxx.bin flash:
Step 3. Set Boot Variable
C9200K(config)#boot system flash:packages.conf
C9200K(config)#no boot manual
C9200K(config)#end
C9200K#wr
C9200K#show boot system
Step 4. Software Install Image to Flash
C9200K#install add file flash: cat9k_lite_iosxexxx.bin activate commit (auto reloads after this command)
Step 5. Verify New Packages and Image after reload
C9200K#dir flash:*.pkg
Step 6. Check Version and New Bootloader
C9200K#show version
C9200K#show boot

Hope that this helps.

Mike

Cisco. (2021, May 10). Smart licensing using policy on catalyst switching platforms. Cisco. https://www.cisco.com/c/en/us/support/docs/switches/catalyst-9300-series-switches/216545-smart-licensing-using-policy-on-catalyst.html. 

Cisco. (2021, February 24). Configuration register equivalent CLIs In IOS-XE. Cisco. https://www.cisco.com/c/en/us/support/docs/switches/catalyst-9300-series-switches/216850-configuration-register-equivalent-clis-i.html. 

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EoS and EoL roll-up for Cisco AirOS Wireless, ASA, and Switching

On By MikeIn Cisco, Security, SwitchingLeave a comment

End of Sale and End of Life dates for AireOS Cisco Wireless LAN Controllers – AIR-CT-3504, AIR-CT-5520, AIR-CT8540, AIR-CTVM . 


End of Sale and End of Life dates for ASA 5506, 5512 & 5515, 5508 & 5516, 5525, 5545 & 5555, 5585-X, 5585-X FP. 

End of Sale and End of Life dates for Cisco Catalyst – 2960X/XR, 2960L/P, 3650, SUP9E

Mike

Networking Hype, Cisco’s SDWAN Catalyst 8000 Edge Platform

On By MikeIn SDWANLeave a comment

Cisco announced the Catalyst 8000 Edge Platforms designed to accelerate the next generation of WAN, 5G, and enable connectivity to hybrid and multi-cloud applications. The Catalyst 8000 Edge Platform includes the 8500 Series for aggregation, Catalyst 8300 Serries for access, and Catalyst 8000V Edge software for virtual/cloud deployments.

The Catalyst 8000V will be available with Cisco SD-WAN 17.4, so you will have to wait just a bit longer.  

 It’s an “edge platform.” Not a router. 

Typically the Catalyst family line is analogous to Cisco switching; however, the branding and messaging align with Cisco’s intent-based networking (IBN) portfolio. The “Catalyst” name now unifies the LAN and the WAN.

With distributed locations, flexible deployment models, and hosting containerized services, the term “router” has evolved to be more of a WAN edge device. Calling these devices “edge platforms” versus “routers” seems to be more appropriate. 

The platform fits nicely into the Cisco SD-WAN portfolio as it addresses security, on-box, and support for Umbrella’s cloud base FWaaS. Cloud-native agility provided by Cloud OnRamp for IaaS and SaaS for distributed applications. (If you haven’t seen this in action, it’s eye-opening!) 

Expect other vendors to begin adopting these features into one solution as Gartner has already coined the term “SASE” (Secure Access Service Edge) pronounced “sassy” to describe the solution. 

In addition to the above, the edge platform functions as an edge router like you’d expect with some new beefiness to it. 

Catalyst 8300 Series, compared to the ISR 4400 Series offers:

  • Up to five times faster data plane performance 
  • Up to 12 Core CPU 
  • Native support for 10GE 

Catalyst 8500 Series, compared to ASR1001-HX and ASR1002-HX offers:

  • Improved data plane with Cisco’s custome 3rd gen ASIC Quantum Flow Processor (QFP)
  • Inline Cyrpto
  • Native support for 100GE and 40GE

Catalyst 8000v Series, compared to CSR1000V offers:

  • Support for up to 16vCPUs
  • 25Gbps Interfaces

and Many more

Lastly, there is no End-of-Life announcement for the previous platforms that the Catalyst 8000 line intends to replace, as of 10/20/20. I’d be willing to bet that these platforms adopt ThousandEyes at some point, which is an absolute game-changer.

Mike

Valente, Jean-Luc “Introducing the Catalyst 8000 Edge Family, Cisco’s New SD-WAN Platform” Oct. 20, 2020, Retrieved From https://blogs.cisco.com/networking/catalyst-8000-edge-platforms

Cisco “Cisco Catalyst 8000 Edge Platforms Family” Oct. 20, 2020, Retrieved From
https://www.cisco.com/c/en/us/products/routers/cloud-edge/index.html?ccid=cc001903

Lener, Andrew “Say Hello to SASE (Secure Access Service Edge)” Dec. 23, 2019, Retrieved From
https://blogs.gartner.com/andrew-lerner/2019/12/23/say-hello-sase-secure-access-service-edge/

Catalyst 9300 Upgrading IOS-XE 16.6.2 onward (Install Mode)

On By MikeIn Switching8 Comments

For the 9200 upgrade procedure! Catalyst 9200, Upgrading IOS-XE 16.9.2 onward (Install Mode)

Want to be part of a monthly newsletter covering Cloud, Digital Transformation, and Web3? Check out Apronomics: December, 2022

If you would like to skip to the code used to upgrade the switch, scroll to Appendix A.

This upgrade procedure is nearly identical to the Catalyst 9200 upgrade procedure.

Note: When upgrading..

First, check to see what mode your switch is running in. The preferred mode is INSTALL mode. In my case, it is running in INSTALL mode.

Prepare the switch to accept the new IOS-XE image by freeing up some storage.

Step 1. Remove Unwanted Packages
Cat9300#install remove inactive

Step 2. Copy New Image to Flash
Cat9300#copy usbflash0:/cat9k_iosxe.x.x.x.SPA.bin flash:/

Step 3. Set Boot Variable
Cat9300(config)#boot system flash:packages.conf
Cat9300(config)#end
Cat9300#wr
Cat9300#show boot system

Step 4. Software Install Image to Flash
Cat9300#install add file flash:cat9k_iosxe.x.x.x.SPA.bin activate commit

Your screen will produce a similar output and requires a reload. Confirm a reload by hitting ‘y’.

It will take a couple of minutes to reload. After the reload, you can confirm your running mode, version and pkg files are in your flash directory.

Step 5. Verify New Packages and Image after reload
Cat9300#dir flash:*.pkg

Step 6. Check Version and New Bootloader
Cat9300#show version

Step 7. Clean up
Cat9200#install remove inactive

Hope that this helps.

Mike

Appendix A
Step 1. Remove Unwanted Packages
Cat9300#install remove inactive
Step 2. Copy New Image to Flash
Cat9300#copy usbflash0:/cat9k_iosxe.x.x.x.SPA.bin flash:/
Step 3. Set Boot Variable
Cat9300(config)#boot system flash:packages.conf
Cat9300(config)#end
Cat9300#wr
Cat9300#show boot system
Step 4. Software Install Image to Flash
Cat9300#install add file flash: cat9k_iosxe.x.x.x.SPA.bin activate commit
Step 5. Verify New Packages and Image after reload
Cat9300#dir flash:*.pkg
Step 6. Check Version and New Bootloader
Cat9300#show version
Cat9300#show boot

https://www.cisco.com/c/en/us/td/docs/switches/lan/catalyst9300/software/release/16-12/release_notes/ol-16-12-9300.html#id_67613

Catalyst 9200, Upgrading IOS-XE 16.9.2 onward (Install Mode)

On By MikeIn Switching19 Comments

UPDATE! For 9200 when you get to 17.3.x Catalyst 9200, Upgrading IOS-XE Amsterdam 17.3.x (Install Mode)

For the 9300 upgrade procedure! Catalyst 9300 Upgrading IOS-XE 16.6.2 onward (Install Mode)

Want to be part of a monthly newsletter covering Cloud, Digital Transformation, and Web3? Check out Apronomics: December, 2022

If you would like to skip to the code used to upgrade the switch, scroll to Appendix A.

First, check to see what mode your switch is running in. The preferred mode is INSTALL mode. In my case, it is running in BUNDLE mode.

We will switch the running mode of the switch during the upgrade process.

Prepare the switch to accept the new IOS-XE image by freeing up some storage.

Step 1. Remove Unwanted Packages
C9200#install remove inactive

Step 2. Copy New Image to Flash
C9200#copy usbflash1:cat9k_lite_iosxexxx.bin flash:

Step 3. Set Boot Variable
C9200(config)#boot system flash:packages.conf
C9200(config)#end
C9200#wr
C9200#show boot system

Step 4. Software Install Image to Flash
C9200K#install add file flash: cat9k_lite_iosxexxx.bin activate commit

After hitting ‘y’, you will be asked to confirm that you have changed the boot config to packages.conf. You should have done this in Step 3.

Confirm by hitting ‘y’. Your screen will produce a similar output and requires a reload.

It will take a couple of minutes to reload. After the reload, you can confirm your running mode, version and pkg files are in your flash directory.

Step 5. Verify New Packages and Image after reload
C9200#dir flash:*.pkg

Step 6. Check Version and New Bootloader
C9200#show version
C9200#show boot

Note: Previously the 9200 was running in BUNDLE mode. After the reload, it is running in INSTALL mode.

Step 7. Clean up
C9200#install remove inactive

Hope that this helps.

Mike

Appendix A
Step 1. Remove Unwanted Packages
C9200K#install remove inactive
Step 2. Copy New Image to Flash
C9200K#copy usbflash1:cat9k_lite_iosxexxx.bin flash:
Step 3. Set Boot Variable
C9200K(config)#boot system flash:packages.conf
C9200K (config)#end
C9200K#wr
C9200K#show boot system
Step 4. Software Install Image to Flash
C9200K#install add file flash: cat9k_lite_iosxexxx.bin activate commit
Step 5. Verify New Packages and Image after reload
C9200K#dir flash:*.pkg
Step 6. Check Version and New Bootloader
C9200K#show version
C9200K#show boot

https://www.cisco.com/c/en/us/td/docs/switches/lan/catalyst9200/software/release/16-9/configuration_guide/sys_mgmt/b_169_sys_mgmt_9200_cg/performing_setup_configuration.html#id_57156

https://www.cisco.com/c/en/us/td/docs/switches/lan/catalyst9200/software/release/16-12/release_notes/ol-16-12-9200.html#id_67619