Thank you so much for this great explanation. It really helped me upgrading a couple of stacks tonight. I didn’t face any issues 🙌🏼 You made the process so easy! Thank You!!
to keep switches in bundle mode even after the upgrade is to go via the conventional ios upgrade process [ commands - no boot system and 'boot system switch all flash: ]
I thought .... and it says it on the switch itself .... that the default was that the switch stack will load ALL the switches without that command? switch Switch(es) where install operation is performed. Default is all switches. In other words if you do not use the "switch 1-x" command it installs the new code on all switches by default. Platform clean though ... switch all ... is a must this is a great video though ..... KEEP ON TRUCKIN....... no matter what people like me have to say.
Good content but the video quality is very bad to the point that we can not see the commands, or the output. Suggest to use a bigger font size or better quality camera.
Derek thank you for sharing this valuable process. It seems that you used two 3850s with same part number. Can you mix for instance a WS-C3850-48P and a WS-C3850-12X48U-S in the same stack?, and does this process apply to overcome a version mismatch?
According to Cisco, you can have different Cisco 3850 model switches in a stack. I believe the biggest this is the licensing must be the same. If you need to overcome a version mismatch, you enter the software auto-upgrade command and when you add a mismatched member to the stack, it will force that member to be the version of the master switch so it can join. If you want more information on the software auto-upgrade feature, click the first link I have in the description.
Thanks, good video. Only thing I was a little surprised about is doing the rsa key regeneration before the reboot. I have been doing this after reboot which has meant always doing it via console. Will be doing 2 stacks in a couple of weeks and will try generating before, cheers
Hi Joseph, I'm happy to hear you found the video useful. I made sure to mention that little nugget of information as Cisco doesn't usually require that to be completed. Be sure to read the release notes I've attached for more information. For curiosity sake, what version are you upgrading from and to? Is it to try and resolve any issues?
03.07.03E to 16.3.6 Mostly to deal with high CPU (90%+) usage caused by FED process. If I had time I would do Fed tracing as per article "Catalyst 3850 Series Switch High CPU Usage Troubleshoot" to find exact cause but in this case we have 2 3850 stacks both running 3.07.03E both showing the issue, and a 3rd stack of 3850's at another site running 16.3 that are running similar load with only around 20% CPU. We have a rare outage window coming up so we can finally upgrade to 16.x anyway.
Good to hear. if you aren't using the built in wireless lan controller, I'd suggest testing out the everest or fuji releases in the future as cisco is deprecating that feature. We did an upgrade from 6.3.5 and 6.3.6 for no POE on port even after reboot, stack would randomly reload with WLC enabled and there was another issue that I can't remember at the moment.
it doesn't . But all the switches in the stack must have this IOS file copied in flash before u start the upgrade activity else switch will fall into rommon mode
You might be running in 16.X.X version hence you have to use " request platform software package clean and request platform software package install switch all file flash: for installation
While installing I lost SSH connection to switch and then when I used teh same install command its gave error "[1]: % A previous provisioning action is pending reboot, please use 'on-reboot' option for any following install operations. Operation aborted." Then I used below command with "on-reboot" stall file flash:cat3k_caa-universalk9.16.09.04.SPA.bin new force switch 1-9 verbose on-reboot
i would suggest to break this big stack of 9 switches into 5 & 4 .. i have seen such high stackable switches failure probability more than a regular 4-5 stack switch esp during the upgrade process
Hi Kyle, if you are running in bundle mode instead of install mode the process is a little different. in Bundle mode, you'd treat it like the traditional IOS where you specify the new IOS file using the boot system command. I'd recommend switching from Bundle to install mode if possible. I'd suggest looking at Cisco documentation to see exactly what the process is.
Hi admin, when I upgrade my switch (still 3850 stack install mode), I have this issue Preparing install operation ... [2]: Copying software from active switch 2 to switch 1 [2]: Finished copying software to switch 1 [1 2]: Starting install operation [1 2]: Expanding bundle flash:cat3k_caa-universalk9.SPA.03.06.06.E.152-2.E6.bin [1]: % Signature Verification failed on cat3k_caa-drivers.SPA.03.06.06E.pkg. Operation aborted. [2]: % Signature Verification failed on cat3k_caa-drivers.SPA.03.06.06E.pkg. Operation aborted. [1]: % Failed to extract consolidated content. Operation aborted. [2]: % Failed to extract consolidated content. Operation aborted. [1]: % An internal error was encountered. Operation aborted. [2]: % An internal error was encountered. Operation aborted. Please help me with this issue
Thank you, Derek! Today, we've successfully upgraded our C3850 stack
Thank you so much for this great explanation. It really helped me upgrading a couple of stacks tonight. I didn’t face any issues 🙌🏼 You made the process so easy! Thank You!!
Simple and clear, thanks! Liked the vid.
That is perfect and thanks for putting the video together!
Must be Update File Copy to all Switches in Stack or only the the Active Switch Flash? Thanks
Thx for video!
Is there any problem with licensing part?
Thank you for the useful guide
Thanks, you saved me on my Job!!!
Great video Derek ! I learned some useful commands :) Thanks
Good Video and very good explanation, I also did a roll-back from 16.x to 3.5.x. thanks mate you make my upgrade work very easy :-)
Excellent video. Will these procedures work if the switches are in bundle mode?
to keep switches in bundle mode even after the upgrade is to go via the conventional ios upgrade process [ commands - no boot system and 'boot system switch all flash: ]
I thought .... and it says it on the switch itself .... that the default was that the switch stack will load ALL the switches without that command? switch Switch(es) where install operation is performed. Default is all switches. In other words if you do not use the "switch 1-x" command it installs the new code on all switches by default. Platform clean though ... switch all ... is a must this is a great video though ..... KEEP ON TRUCKIN....... no matter what people like me have to say.
Good content but the video quality is very bad to the point that we can not see the commands, or the output. Suggest to use a bigger font size or better quality camera.
Derek thank you for sharing this valuable process. It seems that you used two 3850s with same part number. Can you mix for instance a WS-C3850-48P and a WS-C3850-12X48U-S in the same stack?, and does this process apply to overcome a version mismatch?
According to Cisco, you can have different Cisco 3850 model switches in a stack. I believe the biggest this is the licensing must be the same. If you need to overcome a version mismatch, you enter the software auto-upgrade command and when you add a mismatched member to the stack, it will force that member to be the version of the master switch so it can join. If you want more information on the software auto-upgrade feature, click the first link I have in the description.
Great tutorial! Thanks!
Thanks, good video. Only thing I was a little surprised about is doing the rsa key regeneration before the reboot. I have been doing this after reboot which has meant always doing it via console. Will be doing 2 stacks in a couple of weeks and will try generating before, cheers
Hi Joseph, I'm happy to hear you found the video useful. I made sure to mention that little nugget of information as Cisco doesn't usually require that to be completed.
Be sure to read the release notes I've attached for more information. For curiosity sake, what version are you upgrading from and to? Is it to try and resolve any issues?
03.07.03E to 16.3.6 Mostly to deal with high CPU (90%+) usage caused by FED process. If I had time I would do Fed tracing as per article "Catalyst 3850 Series Switch High CPU Usage Troubleshoot" to find exact cause but in this case we have 2 3850 stacks both running 3.07.03E both showing the issue, and a 3rd stack of 3850's at another site running 16.3 that are running similar load with only around 20% CPU. We have a rare outage window coming up so we can finally upgrade to 16.x anyway.
Good to hear. if you aren't using the built in wireless lan controller, I'd suggest testing out the everest or fuji releases in the future as cisco is deprecating that feature. We did an upgrade from 6.3.5 and 6.3.6 for no POE on port even after reboot, stack would randomly reload with WLC enabled and there was another issue that I can't remember at the moment.
Thank you. Is upgrading the 3650 stack similar?
yes
Great video
Thank you very much 🙏
Do we need to generate keys for 03.06.03E to 16.02.08 upgrade
in my stack if i am using different port model like 24 an d 48 ...it will take the same version ?
Does it matter which switch in the stack you install from ?
it doesn't . But all the switches in the stack must have this IOS file copied in flash before u start the upgrade activity else switch will fall into rommon mode
I do not read anything in the release notes about crypto keys! Is this necessary?
the keys a are for SSH mostly thats why he is sayign to regenerate the keys.
i dont have the command available for this? it will not take the software clean or install commands
still looking for answers
You might be running in 16.X.X version hence you have to use " request platform software package clean and request platform software package install switch all file flash: for installation
You are super 🎉
Thanks a lot!!
While installing I lost SSH connection to switch and then when I used teh same install command its gave error "[1]: % A previous provisioning action is pending reboot, please use 'on-reboot' option for any following install operations. Operation aborted."
Then I used below command with "on-reboot"
stall file flash:cat3k_caa-universalk9.16.09.04.SPA.bin new force switch 1-9 verbose on-reboot
i would suggest to break this big stack of 9 switches into 5 & 4 .. i have seen such high stackable switches failure probability more than a regular 4-5 stack switch esp during the upgrade process
Is this upgrade possible remotely over SSH?
Yes, I used the console port as the equipment was setup beside me.
My 3650 is currently in Bundle mode. Are the steps the same?
Hi Kyle, if you are running in bundle mode instead of install mode the process is a little different.
in Bundle mode, you'd treat it like the traditional IOS where you specify the new IOS file using the boot system command.
I'd recommend switching from Bundle to install mode if possible. I'd suggest looking at Cisco documentation to see exactly what the process is.
process is the same as in the video
in bundle mode use the command [ no boot system] and [ boot system switch all flash:
Hi admin,
when I upgrade my switch (still 3850 stack install mode), I have this issue
Preparing install operation ...
[2]: Copying software from active switch 2 to switch 1
[2]: Finished copying software to switch 1
[1 2]: Starting install operation
[1 2]: Expanding bundle flash:cat3k_caa-universalk9.SPA.03.06.06.E.152-2.E6.bin
[1]: % Signature Verification failed on cat3k_caa-drivers.SPA.03.06.06E.pkg. Operation aborted.
[2]: % Signature Verification failed on cat3k_caa-drivers.SPA.03.06.06E.pkg. Operation aborted.
[1]: % Failed to extract consolidated content. Operation aborted.
[2]: % Failed to extract consolidated content. Operation aborted.
[1]: % An internal error was encountered. Operation aborted.
[2]: % An internal error was encountered. Operation aborted.
Please help me with this issue
Font is small
Thank you for the useful guide