Working with System Software Images

Note For complete syntax and usage information for the commands used in this chapter, refer to the Catalyst 6000 Family Command Reference publication.

This chapter consists of these sections:

Downloading System Software Images to the Switch Using TFTP

These sections describe how to download system software images to the switch supervisor engine and to intelligent modules:

Understanding How TFTP Software Image Downloads Work

You can download system software images to the switch using the Trivial File Transfer Protocol (TFTP). TFTP allows you to download system image files over the network from a TFTP server.

Some modules, such as ATM modules, have their own onboard Flash. When you download a software image file, the switch checks the header of the image file to determine the type of software image.

Depending on the type of software image you are downloading, one of the following occurs:

Supervisor engine software image---The image file is downloaded to the supervisor engine Flash memory. You can store multiple image files on the Flash memory system devices (such as boot Flash and Flash PC cards).

Caution Some supervisor engine software releases update the supervisor engine erasable programmable logic devices (EPLDs). The EPLDs can be updated only a limited number of times. You should avoid loading a new software release and then backing out unnecessarily. The supervisor engine software release notes indicate which software releases have code that updates the EPLDs.

Intelligent module software images---If you specified a module number, the image file is downloaded to the specified module only (provided the image file is designed for the specified module type). If you do not specify a module number, the image file is downloaded to every module of the appropriate type. The file is relayed packet by packet to the appropriate modules using the Inter-Process Communications protocol internal to the system, with communication taking place across the switching bus. Downloading a software image to multiple modules significantly speeds up the process of updating the software on multiple modules of the same type.

Note For more information on working with system software image files on the Flash file system, refer to "Working With the Flash File System."

Preparing to Download an Image Using TFTP

Before you begin downloading a software image using TFTP, make sure of the following:

Ensure that the workstation acting as the TFTP server is configured properly. On a Sun workstation, make sure that the /etc/inetd.conf file contains the following line:

tftp dgram udp wait root /usr/etc/in.tftpd in.tftpd -p -s /tftpboot

: Make sure that the /etc/services file contains this line:

tftp 69/udp

Note

fastboot

reboot

Ensure that the switch has a route to the TFTP server. The switch and the TFTP server must be in the same subnetwork if you do not have a router to route traffic between subnets. Check connectivity to the TFTP server using the ping command.
Ensure that the software image to be downloaded is in the correct directory on the TFTP server (usually /tftpboot on a UNIX workstation).
Ensure that the permissions on the file are set correctly. Permissions on the file should be world-read.
A power interruption (or other problem) during the download procedure can corrupt the Flash code. If the Flash code is corrupted, you can connect to the switch through the console port and boot from an uncorrupted system image on a Flash PC card.

Downloading Supervisor Engine Images Using TFTP

Note If you have a redundant supervisor engine, you cannot download a system image directly from a TFTP server to the Flash memory on the standby supervisor engine. When you download the image to the active supervisor engine, the standby supervisor engine sychronizes automatically with the new image. In addition, you cannot copy an image from the standby supervisor engine to the active supervisor engine.

Use the following procedure to download a supervisor engine software image to the switch from a TFTP server:

Step 1 Copy the software image file to the appropriate TFTP directory on the workstation.

Step 2 Log into the switch through the console port or through a Telnet session. If you log in using Telnet, your Telnet session disconnects when you reset the switch to run the new software.

Step 3 Use the copy tftp flash command. When prompted, enter the IP address or host name of the TFTP server and the name of the file to download. On those platforms that support the Flash file system, you are also prompted for the Flash device to which to copy the file and the destination filename.

The switch downloads the image file from the TFTP server to the specified Flash device.

Note

Step 4 Modify the BOOT environment variable using the set boot system flash device:filename prepend command, so that the new image boots when you reset the switch. Specify the Flash device (device:) and the filename of the downloaded image (filename).

Step 5 Reset the switch using the reset system command. If you are connected to the switch through Telnet, your Telnet session disconnects.

During startup, the Flash memory on the supervisor engine is reprogrammed with the new Flash code.

Step 6 When the switch reboots, enter the show version command to check the version of the code on the switch.

Note For examples that show complete TFTP download procedures for the various supervisor engine and switch types, see the "Example TFTP Download Procedures" section.

Downloading Switching Module Images Using TFTP

Use this procedure to download a software image to an intelligent module:

Step 1 Copy the software image file to the appropriate TFTP directory on the workstation.

Step 2 Log into the switch through the console port or a Telnet session. If you log in using Telnet, your Telnet session might disconnect when you reset modules to run the new software.

Step 3 If there is only one module of the type appropriate for the image, or if there are multiple modules of the same type and you want to update the image on all of them, use the copy tftp flash command. When prompted, enter the IP address or host name of the TFTP server, the name of the file to download, the Flash device to which to copy the file, and the destination filename.

Step 4 If there are multiple modules of the type appropriate for the image but you only want to update a single module, use the copy tftp m/bootflash: command, where m is the number of the module to which to download the software image.

Note

The switch downloads the image file, erases the Flash memory on the appropriate modules, and reprograms the Flash memory with the downloaded Flash code.

Note

Step 5 Reset the appropriate modules using the reset mod_num command. If you are connected through Telnet, your Telnet session disconnects if you reset the module through which your connection was made.

Step 6 When the upgraded modules come online, enter the show version [mod_num] command to check the version of the code on the switch.

Note For examples that show complete procedures for TFTP downloads to intelligent modules, see the "Example Single Module Image TFTP Download" section and the "Example Multiple Module Image TFTP Download" section.

Example TFTP Download Procedures

These sections show example TFTP download procedures:

Example Supervisor Image TFTP Download

Note For a step-by-step procedure for downloading a supervisor engine software image from a TFTP server, see the "Downloading Supervisor Engine Images Using TFTP" section.

This example shows a complete TFTP download procedure of a supervisor engine software image to a Catalyst 6000 family switch:

Console> (enable) copy tftp flash
IP address or name of remote host []? 172.20.52.3
Name of file to copy from []? cat6000-sup.5-2-1-CSX.bin
Flash device [bootflash]?
Name of file to copy to [cat6000-sup.5-2-1-CSX.bin]?
 
4369664 bytes available on device bootflash, proceed (y/n) [n]? y
CCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCC
CCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCC
File has been copied successfully.
Console> (enable) set boot system flash bootflash:cat6000-sup.5-2-1-CSX.bin 
BOOT variable = bootflash:cat6000-sup.5-2-1-CSX.bin,1;
Console> (enable) reset system
This command will reset the system.
Do you want to continue (y/n) [n]? y
Console> (enable) 07/21/1998,13:51:39:SYS-5:System reset from Console//
 
 
System Bootstrap, Version 4.2
Copyright (c) 1994-1998 by cisco Systems, Inc.
c6k_sup1 processor with 32768 Kbytes of main memory
 
Autoboot executing command: "boot bootflash:cat6000-sup.5-2-1-CSX.bin"
CCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCC
CCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCC
Uncompressing file:  ###########################################################
################################################################################
################################################################################
################################################################################
################################################################################
################################################################################
################################################################################
################################################################################
################################################################################
################################################################################
#############
 
 
System Power On Diagnostics
DRAM Size ....................32 MB
Testing DRAM..................Passed
Verifying Text segment .......Passed
NVRAM Size ...................512 KB
Saving NVRAM .................
Testing NVRAM ................Passed
Restoring NVRAM...............
Level2 Cache ..................Present
Level2 Cache test..............Passed
 
Leaving power_on_diags
 
 
Cafe Daughter Present.
 
EOBC link up
 
Boot image: bootflash:cat6000-sup.5-2-1-CSX.bin
Flash Size = 0X1000000, num_flash_sectors = 64
readCafe2Version: 0x00000001
RIn Local Test Mode, Pinnacle Synch Retries: 2
Running System Diagnostics from this Supervisor (Module 1)
This may take up to 2 minutes....please wait
 
 
Cisco Systems Console
 
 
 
 
Enter password:
07/21/1998,13:52:51:SYS-5:Module 1 is online
07/21/1998,13:53:11:SYS-5:Module 4 is online
07/21/1998,13:53:11:SYS-5:Module 5 is online
07/21/1998,13:53:14:PAGP-5:Port 1/1 joined bridge port 1/1.
07/21/1998,13:53:14:PAGP-5:Port 1/2 joined bridge port 1/2.
07/21/1998,13:53:40:SYS-5:Module 2 is online
07/21/1998,13:53:45:SYS-5:Module 3 is online
 
Console>

Example Single Module Image TFTP Download

Note For a step-by-step procedure for downloading software images to intelligent modules, refer to the "Downloading Switching Module Images Using TFTP" section.

This example shows a complete TFTP download procedure of an ATM software image to a single ATM module:

Console> (enable) show version 4
Mod Port Model      Serial #  Versions
--- ---- ---------- --------- ----------------------------------------
4   1    WS-X6101 003414855 Hw : 1.2
Fw : 1.3
Sw : 3.2(6)
Console> (enable) copy tftp 4/flash
IP address or name of remote host []? 172.20.52.3
Name of file to copy from []? cat6000-atm.3-2-7.bin
Download image tftp:cat6000-atm.3-2-7.bin to Module 4 FLASH (y/n) [n]? y
This command will reset Download Module(s) you selected.
 
Do you wish to continue download flash (y/n) [n]? y
-
Download done for module 4, please wait for it to come online
 
File has been copied successfully.
Console> (enable) 07/21/1998,13:13:54:SYS-5:Module 4 is online
 
Console> (enable) show version 4
Mod Port Model      Serial #  Versions
--- ---- ---------- --------- ----------------------------------------
4   1    WS-X6101 003414855 Hw : 1.2
Fw : 1.3
Sw : 3.2(7)
Console> (enable)

Example Multiple Module Image TFTP Download

Note For a step-by-step procedure for downloading software images to intelligent modules, refer to the "Downloading Switching Module Images Using TFTP" section.

This example shows a complete TFTP download procedure of an ATM software image to multiple ATM modules:

Console> (enable) show version 4
Mod Port Model      Serial #  Versions
--- ---- ---------- --------- ----------------------------------------
4   1    WS-X6101 003414855 Hw : 1.2
                              Fw : 1.3
Sw : 3.2(6)
Console> (enable) show version 5
Mod Port Model      Serial #  Versions
--- ---- ---------- --------- ----------------------------------------
5   1    WS-X6101 003414463 Hw : 1.2
                              Fw : 1.3
Sw : 3.2(6)
Console> (enable) copy tftp flash
IP address or name of remote host []? 172.20.52.3
Name of file to copy from []? cat6000-atm.3-2-7.bin
Download image tftp:cat6000-atm.3-2-7.bin to Module 4 FLASH (y/n) [n]? y
Download image tftp:cat6000-atm.3-2-7.bin to Module 5 FLASH (y/n) [n]? y
This command will reset Download Module(s) you selected.
 
Do you wish to continue download flash (y/n) [n]? y
-
Download done for module 4, please wait for it to come online
 
Download done for module 5, please wait for it to come online
 
File has been copied successfully.
Console> (enable) 07/21/1998,12:25:10:SYS-5:Module 4 is online
07/21/1998,12:25:10:SYS-5:Module 5 is online
 
Console> (enable) show version 4
Mod Port Model      Serial #  Versions
--- ---- ---------- --------- ----------------------------------------
4   1    WS-X6101 003414855 Hw : 1.2
                              Fw : 1.3
Sw : 3.2(7)
Console> (enable) show version 5
Mod Port Model      Serial #  Versions
--- ---- ---------- --------- ----------------------------------------
5   1    WS-X6101 003414463 Hw : 1.2
                              Fw : 1.3
Sw : 3.2(7)
Console> (enable)

Uploading System Software Images to a TFTP Server

These sections describe how to upload system software images from a switch to a TFTP server:

Note For more information on working with system software image files on the Flash file system, see "Working With the Flash File System."

Preparing to Upload an Image to a TFTP Server

Before you attempt to upload a software image to a TFTP server, do the following:

Ensure that the workstation acting as the TFTP server is configured properly. On a Sun workstation, make sure that the /etc/inetd.conf file contains this line:

tftp dgram udp wait root /usr/etc/in.tftpd in.tftpd -p -s /tftpboot

: Make sure that the /etc/services file contains this line:

tftp 69/udp

Note

fastboot

reboot

Ensure that the switch has a route to the TFTP server. The switch and the TFTP server must be in the same subnetwork if you do not have a router to route traffic between subnets. Check connectivity to the TFTP server using the ping command.
You might need to create an empty file on the TFTP server before uploading the image. To create an empty file, enter the touch filename command, where filename is the name of the file you will use when uploading the image to the server.
If you are overwriting an existing file (including an empty file, if you had to create one), ensure that the permissions on the file are set correctly. Permissions on the file should be world-write.

Uploading Software Images to a TFTP Server

Use this procedure to upload a software image on a switch to a TFTP server for storage:

Step 1 Log into the switch through the console port or a Telnet session.

Step 2 Upload the software image to the TFTP server with the copy flash tftp command. When prompted, specify the TFTP server address and destination filename. On platforms that support the Flash file systems, you are first prompted for the Flash device and source filename, If desired, you can use the copy file-id tftp command on these platforms.

The software image is uploaded to the TFTP server.

This example shows how to upload the supervisor engine software image:

Console> (enable) copy flash tftp
Flash device [bootflash]? slot0:
Name of file to copy from []? cat6000-sup.5-3-1.bin
IP address or name of remote host [172.20.52.3]? 172.20.52.10
Name of file to copy to [cat6000-sup.5-3-1.bin]? 
CCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCC
CCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCC|
File has been copied successfully.
Console> (enable)

Downloading Software Images Over a Serial Connection on the Console Port

These sections describe how to perform a serial download of software images over the supervisor engine console port using Kermit, a popular file-transfer and terminal-emulation software program:

Preparing to Download an Image Using Kermit

Before you begin a serial download of a software image using Kermit, make sure of the following:

On a UNIX workstation, make sure your shell window is local (not an rlogin window to a different workstation).
Ensure that the supervisor engine console port is connected to a serial port on your PC or workstation with a serial cable.
Ensure that the Kermit software is installed on your PC or workstation.
Ensure that the line speed settings are the same on the PC or workstation and on the switch:
- On the switch, you can change the console port speed by entering the set system baud rate command. The default baud rate is 9600 baud.
- On the PC or workstation, you can change the baud rate of the serial port by entering the set speed rate command at the Kermit> prompt.
  
  Caution To prevent communication problems, do not use a speed greater than 19,200 baud.
Ensure that Kermit is using the proper serial port.
- On a PC, specify the serial port using the set port comx command, where x is the PC serial port number (1 through 8) that you connected to the switch.
- On a UNIX workstation, specify the serial port using the set port /dev/ttyx command, where x is the serial port (a or b) that you connected to the switch.

Downloading Software Images Using Kermit (PC Procedure)

Note This procedure applies to PC serial downloads only. For information on performing a serial download on a UNIX workstation, refer to the "Downloading Software Images Using Kermit (UNIX Procedure)" section.

Use this procedure to perform a serial download of a software image over the supervisor engine console port:

Step 1 Copy the software image file to the directory where Kermit is loaded.

Step 2 Start Kermit on the PC.

Note Before continuing, ensure that the line speed is correct and that you have selected the proper serial line, as described in the "Preparing to Download an Image Using Kermit" section.

Step 3 At the Kermit> prompt, enter the connect command to connect to the switch. If your line and speed are set correctly, the switch Console> prompt appears.

Step 4 Enter the enable command to enter privileged mode.

Step 5 Enter the download serial command. The file is downloaded to module 1 by default.

Step 6 When prompted, confirm the download.

Step 7 Enter the escape sequence Ctrl-]-c by holding down the Ctrl key while you press ], and then press c.

Step 8 At the Kermit> prompt, enter the send filename command to send the file to the switch.

The switch downloads the image file, erases the Flash memory on the supervisor engine or the appropriate module, and reprograms the Flash memory with the downloaded Flash code.

Note

Step 9 When the Kermit> prompt reappears, enter the connect command to return to the switch Console> prompt. You will see status information as the switch erases and reprograms the Flash memory.

Note

If you enter the connect command more than two minutes after the Kermit> prompt reappears, you might see only a Console> prompt instead of the status information about erasing and programming Flash code.

Step 10 Reset the switch using the reset system command.

Step 11 When the switch reboots, enter the show version [mod_num] command to check the version of the code on the switch.

Note For an example that shows a complete serial download procedure using Kermit on a PC, see the "Example PC Serial Download Procedure" section.

Downloading Software Images Using Kermit (UNIX Procedure)

Note This procedure applies to UNIX serial downloads only. For information on performing a serial download on a PC, refer to the "Downloading Software Images Using Kermit (PC Procedure)" section.

Use this procedure to perform a serial download of a software image over the supervisor engine console port.

To copy the software to the workstation, log in as root, and perform these steps:

Step 1 Copy the software image file to your home directory.

Step 2 At the UNIX command prompt, start Kermit by entering the kermit command (make sure the directory where Kermit is installed in included in the $PATH environment variable on the workstation).

Note

"Preparing to Download an Image Using Kermit" section

Step 3 At the C-Kermit> prompt, enter the connect command to connect to the switch. If your line and speed are set correctly, the switch Console> prompt appears.

Step 4 Enter the enable command to enter privileged mode.

Step 5 Enter the download serial command. The file downloads to module 1 by default.

Step 6 When prompted, confirm the download.

Step 7 Enter the escape sequence Ctrl-\-c by holding down the Ctrl key while you press \, and then press c.

Step 8 At the Kermit> prompt, enter the send filename command to send the file to the switch.

You can monitor the progress of the download by pressing the a key at any time during the Kermit download. A dot appears onscreen for every four packets transferred. If there is a problem transferring the file, one or more of the following letter codes appear:

T---Kermit timed out.
N---Kermit is not acknowledging the switch download process.
E---Kermit detected an error in the progress of the transaction.

The switch downloads the image file, erases the Flash memory on the supervisor engine or the appropriate module, and reprograms the Flash memory with the downloaded Flash code.

Note

Step 9 Press Return to return to the C-Kermit> prompt. When the Kermit> prompt reappears, enter the connect command to return to the switch Console> prompt. You will see status information as the switch erases and reprograms the Flash memory.

Note

connect

Step 10 Reset the switch using the reset system command.

Step 11 When the switch reboots, enter the show version [mod_num] command to check the version of the code on the switch.

Note For an example that shows a complete serial download procedure using Kermit on a
UNIX workstation, see the "Example UNIX Workstation Serial Download Procedure" section.

Example Serial Software Image Download Procedures

These sections show example serial download procedures over the supervisor engine console port using Kermit:

Example PC Serial Download Procedure

This screen output shows an example of a complete serial download procedure on a PC:

C:\ copy A:\*.*
copying c6509_xx.bin
C:\ kermit
Kermit, 4C(057) 06 Apr 98, 4.2 BSD
Type ? for help
Kermit> set port com1
Kermit> set speed 9600
Kermit> connect
Connecting to com1,speed 9600.
The escape character is ^] (ASCII 29).
Type the escape character followed by C to get back,
or followed by ? to see other options
Console> enable
Console> (enable) download serial
Download CBI image via console port (y/n) [n]? y
 
Waiting for DOWNLOAD!
Return to your local Machine by typing its escape sequence
Issue Kermit send command from there[ Send \QFilename\Q]
 
<CONTROL-] c to return to Local Machine>
 
Kermit> send c6509_xx.bin
 
 
File name: c6509_xx.bin
KBytes transferred: xxxx
Percent transferred: 100%
Sending: Complete
 
Number of Packets: xxxx
Number of retries: None
Last error: None
Last warning: None
Kermit> connect
 
 
Finished network download.  (1136844 bytes)
Flash erase in progress ... Erase done
Programming Flash:  Flash Programming Complete
Flash erase in progress ... Erase done
Programming Flash:  Flash Programming Complete
Flash erase in progress ... Erase done
Programming Flash:  Flash Programming Complete
Flash erase in progress ... Erase done
Programming Flash:  Flash Programming Complete
Flash erase in progress ... Erase done
Programming Flash:  Flash Programming Complete
Flash erase in progress ... Erase done
Programming Flash:  Flash Programming Complete
Flash erase in progress ... Erase done
Programming Flash:  Flash Programming Complete
The system needs to be reset to run the new image.
 
Cisco Systems Console
Enter password:
Mon Apr 06, 1998, 14:35:08
Console>

Example UNIX Workstation Serial Download Procedure

This screen output shows an example of a complete serial download procedure on a UNIX workstation:

workstation% cd /tmp
workstation% tar -xvfp /dev/rfd0
c5009_xx.bin, 1156046 bytes, 2258 tape blocks
workstation% ls -la
total 1150
drwxrwsrwt  5 bin           512 Sep 28 04:15 .
drwxr-xr-x 18 root         1536 Sep 27 15:41 ..
-r--r--r--  1 60000     1156046 Jul 18 10:32 c5009_xx.bin
workstation% kermit
C-Kermit, 4E(072) 06 Apr 98, SUNOS 4.x
Type ? for help
C-Kermit> set line /dev/ttya
C-Kermit> set speed 9600
/dev/ttya: 9600 baud
C-Kermit> connect
Connecting thru /dev/ttya, speed 9600.
The escape character is CTRL-\ (28).
 
Type the escape character followed by C to get back,
or followed by ? to see other options.
 
Console> enable
Console> (enable) download serial c5009_xx.bin
 
Download CBI image via console port (y/n) [n]? y
 
Waiting for DOWNLOAD!
Return to your local Machine by typing its escape sequence
Issue Kermit send command from there[ Send \QFilename\Q]
[Back at Local System]
C-Kermit> send c5009_xx.bin
SF
c5009_xx.bin => c5009_xx.bin, Size: 1156046
 
CTRL-F to cancel file,  CTRL-R to resend current packet
CTRL-B to cancel batch, CTRL-A for status report: ..............................................................................................................................
*** Display Truncated ***
...............................................................
.................................... [OK]
ZB?
C-Kermit> connect
Connecting thru /dev/ttya, speed 9600.
The escape character is CTRL-\ (28).
Type the escape character followed by C to get back,
or followed by ? to see other options.
 
Download OK
Initializing Flash
Programming Flash
Base....Code....Length....Time....Done
 
Cisco Systems Console
Enter password:
Mon Apr 06, 1998, 17:35:08
Console>

Table of Contents

Working with System Software Images