3560g router, old 12.2 IOS - updating

[dmoran2008]

So i have this older router which has probably never had the firmware updated. 

Apparently the release is up to 15.x.x and I should update this firmware has we have some issues and I need to eliminate this as one of the possible causes.

Since I am going from a pretty old version, what is the best practice of getting up to date?

Do I go to the first release of that group (15.x.1) and then get to the latest version? 

Or can I go straight to the newest release?

Other suggestions?

Dan            

[Leo Laohoo]

Hi Dan,

1.   You need to determine the size of flash memory.  There are two models available:  16 and 32 Mb.  If your switch only has 16 Mb then the highest IOS you can use is 12.2(55)SE.  If you have 32 Mb then you can use the 15.X.

2.  The most stable IOS for the 3560/3750 is 12.2(55)SE8 and this is closely followed by 15.0(2)SE4.  Don't even attempt to try other versions because they are rubbish.

[dmoran2008]

I ran the show flash command and here is what I got.

Directory of flash:/

    3  -rwx         616  May 29 2008 16:32:27 -05:00  vlan.dat
    4  -rwx           5  Feb 28 1993 18:03:16 -06:00  private-config.text
    5  drwx           0  Feb 28 1993 18:01:09 -06:00  online_diag
    6  -rwx        8984  Feb 28 1993 18:03:16 -06:00  config.text
    7  drwx         192  Feb 28 1993 18:07:29 -06:00  c3560-ipbase-mz.122-35.SE5

32514048 bytes total (23450624 bytes free)

So it looks like 32mb but do you agree?

[Richard Burts]

It surely does look like 32 meg.

HTH

Rick

[dmoran2008]

Well that does sound like good news.

Both of these switches have a VOIP connection of some sort passing through them.

Obviously my firmware is way behind but I wish there were a way to see any release notes that may give me an indicator if getting to the latest version may help in any way.

Yeah, I could open each release note but that may take a bit of time.

Dan

[Leo Laohoo]

Yes.  You have 32 Mb flash.  Geez.  That's one old IOS I haven't seen for a looong time.

It doesn't matter, I'd still recommend 12.2(55)SE8.

Release Notes for the Catalyst 3750, 3560, 2975, 2960-S, and 2960 Switches, Cisco IOS Release 12.2(55)SE and Later

[dmoran2008]

So you are saying stay within the 12.2 releases? 

Currently I have 12.2(35)SE5 (IPBASE)

Don't go to 15.x.x????

I do read where some of the items could involve packet drops and such, which may help performance.'

Not that it is performing bad.

Again, I just need to make sure the switch is not giving us issues.

Dan

[Leo Laohoo]

Don't go to 15.x.x????

Most stable IOS for 3560/3750 is still 12.2(55)SE8.

The next stable IOS for 3560/3750 is 15.0(2)SE4.

Take note I said, "next stable".

All of my 2960/2960S are running 15.0(2)SE4, all my 3750/G/E/X are running 12.2(55)SE8.  My 3560E/C are running 15.0(2)SE4.

I've given you the options, it's your call.

NOTE:  Yes, my 3560E/C are running 15.0(2)SE4 because I can "get away with it".  If you are risk averse, then no harm done when you run 12.2(55)SE8.