Correct IOS Upgrade procedures of Hybrid Cat 6509

[paul.coley]

I am upgrading one CATos based 6509 (Hybrid) IOS so it can support a new blade (XS6148-GE-TX). The IOS required for the switch is 7.6(switch ) and 12.1(MSFC)

The switch is running in standalone and has two supervisor cards with MSFC2 ( WS-X6K-SUP2-2GE) with highavailability feature running between the two sup cards.

These are the new images I have picked that will meet the current memory requirements.

(Switch Image) cat6000-sup2k8.7-6-6.bin

(MSFC image)c6msfc2-jk2sv-mz.121-26.E7.bin

(MSFC boot) c6msfc2-boot-mz.121-26.E7.bin

The following are the documents I have obtained from Cisco's site

http://www.cisco.com/en/US/products/hw/switches/ps700/products_tech_note09186a00801347e2.shtml

http://www.cisco.com/en/US/products/hw/switches/ps700/products_configuration_example09186a0080116ff0.shtml

I think it's pretty straightforward, but I want to be 100% sure.

Has anyone performed this procedure before that meet my requirements.

[ybajpai]

yes many times! just follow the doc step by step. its a time-tested piece of information and it should serve you well.

yash

[paul.coley]

Yash,

So based on the info I provided and the document links...I should be fine?

Thx!

[amit-singh]

Adding to Yash's post, just keep in mind the steps you are performing doing the IOS conversion and check them at every step with the Doc. If you missout something it might end up you with few problems.

Post any question, if you need our help

regards,

-amit singh

[paul.coley]

I am going to backup all the images, configs, etc...before I erase the old images with the new ones on the Sup2 card and the MFSC.

If the MSFC upgrade goes bad...whats the worst that will happen? The MSFC will go into ROMMON? If so, what document can you post that will allow me to correct any issues within ROMMON?

[ankbhasi]

Hi Paul,

Have a look at this link which will help you to take msfc out if it goes into rommon

http://www.cisco.com/warp/public/473/124.html#topic1

HTH

Ankur

*pls rate the post if it helps.

[amit-singh]

Hi Paul,

The most important thing that I would recommend you is to make sure that you dont delete the MSFC boot image. As far as you have that image in the MSFC you will be able to recover the MSFC at any time easily. The Docs that were posted by Yash has all the recovery methods.

Please find the document for the msfc recovery specifically :

http://www.cisco.com/warp/public/473/124.html

One of the handy tool during the conversion/upgrade is PCMCIA card. If you have that with all the images and config backup you will be able to recover it very quickly.

The most important steps to keep in mind are the one where you have to format the Sup-engine and Msfc's flash to change the sectors from CatOS to IOS.

You can use the Cisco tool to convert the config from CatOS to IOS. You should have CCO login for this:

http://www.cisco.com/cgi-bin/Support/CatCfgConversion/catcfg_xlat.pl

HTH, Please rate if it does.

-amit singh

[paul.coley]

amit,

Can I keep the existing MSFC boot image or do I need to upgrade that as well? The new boot image that I downloaded is the same version (12.1.26). The files that I will be using are in my original post.

I was reading your last few sentences and

I am not upgrading the HYBRID switch to NATIVE mode. I am only upgrading the IOS codes on the supervisor card and the MSFC card. The switch will still be in HYBRID when complete.

I also have a PCMCIA card installed right now and it contains the three files I will be using. The existing images currently are already backed up to a TFTP server.

[amit-singh]

Paul,

Sorry, My mistake it thought it wrong.Yes its not for Native and your switch will be in HYBRID only.

No there is no need to upgrade the boot image on the MSFC. This will be OK.

If you have the backup for all the three files, you should be OK. Let us know if you face any problem.

-amit singh

[paul.coley]

I'm going to upgrade this switch tommorrow. I'm going over the fine details now and have a few questions. As can be seen from my first post. The switch has dual supervisors running in active/standby.

1.Does it matter which sup card I upgrade first?

2. Can I upgrade the standby sup/msfc first and then the active or vice versa?

I assume that if I upgrade the active card first, that the standby should kick in while i am going through the procedure.