The last word? IP Services IOS for WS-C3750-48PS-E

[Ms.TechChick]

Hello!

I ‘ve spent an incredible amount of time doing research in order to find a definitive “best” ios to use to upgrade some misbehaving switches (WS-C3750-48PS-E/ standard ip services) & ideally, to set as a target rev level for all our 375048pse switches. Based on the information shared in these forums, my initial thought was that 12.2.(55)SE8 was going to be the ios of choice.
 

Then, I muddied the waters by visiting some of the ios resources on Cisco’s support site. Their Software Advisor suggests 12.2.(55)SE1/ c3750-ipservicesk9-mz.12.2-55.SE1 for 3750-48PS switches. It also cites a  minimum flash requirement of 32 MB & includes the notation, “This image requires more memory than currently (as per show version) installed on your device. If you select this image, please upgrade your memory before upgrading to it.” This confused me because it is my understanding that the 3750-48PS-E (Non G) model only contain 16MB of flash & that this flash is not upgradable.
 

Next, I visited the “Download Software” area & navigated to download options for these 3750’s. The site then brought me to a page that included several file links to download the latest ios release, 12.2.55-SE9 (as of 3/18/14) as well as a link to corresponding Release Notes. Both ip services download options (c3750-ipservicesk9-mz.122-55.SE9.bin & c3750-ipserviceslmk9-tar.122-55.SE9.tar) have minimujm memory requirements of 128MB DRAM and 16MB Flash. (Encouraging!) But then, the link to the release notes for 12.2.55-SE9 brings up a document titled “Release notes for the Catalyst 3750, 3560, 2975 …Cisco IOS release 12.2(55)SE & Later” (newly updated as of 3/14/14). The 1^st page of this document states,

“Cisco IOS Release 12.2(55)SE runs on all Catalyst 3750, 3560, 2975, 2960-S, and 2960 switches and on Cisco EtherSwitch service modules.

Cisco IOS Release 12.2(55)SE1 runs on all Catalyst 3750, 3560, 2960-S, and 2960 switches and on Cisco EtherSwitch service modules.

Cisco IOS Release 12.2(55)SE2 runs on Catalyst 2960-S switches only”.
 

Not to whine, but soon after that, I stumbled upon an alternate ios tool (can’t remember which). Per this resource, versions 12.(55)SE, SE1, SE2 were all affected by a Software Advisory & should be avoided. The Replacement Solution given was to utilize 12.2(55)SE5.

The release notes for 15.0(2)SE was the last thing I read on the matter & it seemed to bring my research back full circle with the following note on page 1:

“Not all Catalyst 3750 and 3560 switches can run this release. These models are not supported in Cisco

IOS Release 12.2(58)SE1 and later: WS-C3560-24TS, WS-C3560-24PS. WS-C3560-48PS,

WS-C3560-48TS, WS-C3750-24PS, WS-C3750-24TS, WS-C3750-48PS, WS-C3750-48TS,

WS-3750G-24T, WS-C3750G-12S, WS-C3750G-24TS, WS-C3750G-16TD. For ongoing maintenance

rebuilds for these models, use Cisco IOS Release 12.2(55)SE and later (SE1, SE2, and so on).”

I am sooooo very confused & would be incredibly grateful for a definitive answer as to which ios to use on our 3750-48ps-e switches going forward! To quash any potential ambiguity, I’d be double appreciative if you could include the actual file name I should chose from the download center in order to upgrade our “regular” ip services switches via CNA.  

For the bonus round (& a box of girl scout cookies for the best, most informational answers)  please weigh in on the following  “teach a wo/man to fish” questions: 

-Considering that these switches went eol in ’10 & end of SW maint release as of 7/31/13,  can I consider the rev level that is prescribed in this post to be the final, definitive answer regarding the best & most current rev level for these 3750-48PS-e switches ? Or is there the possibilty that SE10 (or some other newer version)  comes along & merits a rethink?

-Is it safe to say that all 3750-48ps-e switches with outdated ios could/should be upgraded to this particular rev level if resources permit?

- are there certain revs/situations/configs/scenerios when you would leave    the rev lev on certain switches be?//   If yes, when would that be? (examples/specifics are hugely welcome!)

-are there certain revs/situations/configs/scenerios when you would  upgrade the rev to a level different from the one that is prescribed for this post?//  If yes, when would that be? (examples/specifics are hugely welcome!)

--Which Cisco tools & resources do you use to standardize on an ios?Are there certain ones that are better than others?  

THANK YOU! & Happy Monday!!

TS

[KenWynWilliams · Accepted solution]

Hi,

That's a lot of questions!

I'd use 12.2(55)SE5 c3750-ipservicesk9-mz.122-55.SE5.bin which corresponds with what you'd been advised. I know this version is very stable and thoroughly tested and used by v large institutions. The Cisco upgrade planner is pretty good.

HTH

regards

Ken

[Ms.TechChick]

I apologize for the unwieldy post! I'm quite new to the Cisco tech world (surprise!) & the level of my enthusiasm to learn is matched only by all that I do not know. ;) I'll be less greedy in my next knowledge grab. Thanks for braving my novel of a question & sharing your experience!

Happy Spring,

TS

[Leo Laohoo · Accepted solution]

-Considering that these switches went eol in ’10 & end of SW maint release as of 7/31/13,  can I consider the rev level that is prescribed in this post to be the final, definitive answer regarding the best & most current rev level for these 3750-48PS-e switches ? Or is there the possibilty that SE10 (or some other newer version)  comes along & merits a rethink?

This is incorrect (and made worst with the poorly-worded EoL/EoS from Cisco).  12.2(55)SE EoL/EoS only affects platforms (2960, 3560 and 3750) with flash memory of 32 mb and above.  Legacy 3560 and 3750 are NOT affected by announcement.   And even if you have a 3560 or 3750 with 32 mb flash, I would steadfastly recommend 12.2(55)SE train than 15.0(1)SE, 15.0(2)SE or 15.2(1)E.

If your  platform has 16 mb flash, then the "highest" IOS you can run is 12.2(55)SE.  My personal recommendation is 12.2(55)SE8 or you could try the newer 12.2(55)SE9.  I've got years of good experience with this particular version of IOS, 12.2(55)SE, and must admit this is one of the most stable version I've ever used (and I've used and tested a lot of versions).  It's sad that Cisco no longer wants to run with this code.  

[Ms.TechChick]

Thanks for the additional info, Leo! Your posts are always uber informative!!

All the Best,
TS