Problem upgrading C2960 IOS via TFTP

[Abdullah Net]

Hello,

I got my new C2960 a couple of days ago with an outdated IOS version (12.2) and i wanted to test the new IOS (15).

I know i can delete the current IOS version and download the new one from tftp server but i just want to test the new IOS without deleting anything yet. Once i like it, i will put it in the flash.

So, i created a tftp server, tested it,  and it worked fine. I even copied the running-config file from the flash to my computer using tftp server with no problems. So, tftp server and its connection are working fine. 

Now, i tried

Switch(config)#boot system tftp://192.168.4.17/c2960-lanbasek9-mz.150-2.SE4.bin

This command should boot the switch using the IOS in the tftp server which resides in my computer (192.168.40.17) the next time i reload the switch. I saved my config and i rebooted the router.

This is what i got when reloading...

Loading "tftp://192.168.4.17/c2960-lanbasek9-mz.150-2.SE4.bin"...tftp://192.168.4.17/c2960-lanbasek9-mz.150-2.SE4.bin: no such device

Error loading "tftp://192.168.4.17/c2960-lanbasek9-mz.150-2.SE4.bin"

When i think of it, how can the switch access my computer's ip address during booting process? In booting process all the ports are showndown for failure testing purposes.

Am i using the wrong command to achieve what i want?

Thanks,

Abdul,

[Leo Laohoo · Accepted solution]

TFTP boot don't work all the time.

Don't even bother trying to do this.

[Abdullah Net]

Leo,

Then why cisco have it there if it is not meant to work? why did they even bother? :/

abdul,

[Leo Laohoo · Accepted solution]

Well consider this ... If your switch is in ROMmon, HOW can the switch knows where the TFTP server is.

Next, if you are able to get into ROMmon, then you should be able to upload the IOS via Xmodem.

Hence, TFTP boot is not very popular. 

[Abdullah Net]

hmmm interesting...

Thanks Leo

Abdul,

[Leo Laohoo]

Thanks for the ratings.

[Abdullah Net]

No problem