---
title: Nexus Upgrade
description: 
published: true
date: 2026-02-19T20:37:41.384Z
tags: 
editor: markdown
dateCreated: 2026-02-19T20:37:32.957Z
---

# Cisco Nexus C9300GX-CD — NX-OS Upgrade Guide

---

## 1. Pre-Upgrade Checks

### Verify Current Version and Switch Health
```
show version
show module
show environment
show logging last 100
```

### Check Bootflash Space
Ensure at least 2GB of free space is available:
```
dir bootflash:
```

### Save Your Running Configuration
```
copy running-config startup-config
copy running-config bootflash:backup-config.txt
```

### Check Upgrade Compatibility
Verify your current and target NX-OS versions are a supported upgrade path using Cisco's [Nexus 9000 Upgrade and ISSU Matrix](https://www.cisco.com/c/en/us/td/docs/switches/datacenter/nexus9000/sw/). Some versions require intermediate "stepping stone" upgrades.

---

## 2. Download the NX-OS Image

1. Go to [https://software.cisco.com](https://software.cisco.com) and log in (a valid service contract is required).
2. Navigate to **Downloads** → **Switches** → **Data Center Switches** → **Nexus 9000 Series**.
3. Select your target NX-OS release and download the appropriate image (e.g., `nxos64-cs.10.5.4.M.bin`).
4. Note the **MD5 checksum** listed on the download page for later verification.

---

## 3. Transfer the Image to the Switch

### Option A: Using Windows OpenSSH Server (SCP)

#### Verify OpenSSH Server is Running on Windows

Open PowerShell or Command Prompt and run:
```
net start sshd
```
Or in PowerShell:
```powershell
Start-Service sshd
```

Confirm the firewall rule exists for port 22:
```
netsh advfirewall firewall show rule name="OpenSSH Server (sshd)"
```

Find your PC's IP address:
```
ipconfig
```

#### Enable SCP Server on the Switch
```
feature scp-server
```

#### Pull the File from the Switch CLI
From the switch, use the `copy` command to pull the file from your Windows PC:
```
 copy scp://Phil@192.168.0.3/C:/Users/Phil.SIL-PC49/Desktop/9300GX/nxos64-cs.10.5.4.M.bin bootflash: vrf management
```

> **Tip:** If the path is long or contains spaces, move the file to a simple location like `C:\nxos\` first:
> ```
> copy scp://YourUsername@192.168.0.x/C:/nxos/nxos64-cs.10.5.4.M.bin bootflash: vrf management
> ```


---

## 4. Verify the Image

Confirm the file is on bootflash:
```
dir bootflash:
```

Verify the MD5 checksum matches what Cisco published:
```
show file bootflash:nxos64-cs.10.5.4.M.bin md5sum
```

---

## 5. Pre-Install Compatibility Check

Run the incompatibility check before upgrading to identify any configuration or feature conflicts:
```
show incompatibility-all nxos bootflash:nxos64-cs.10.5.4.M.bin
```

Review the output carefully and resolve any flagged issues before proceeding.

---

## 6. Perform the Upgrade

### Disruptive Upgrade (Recommended — Requires Maintenance Window)
The switch will reload. This is the simplest and most reliable method:
```
install all nxos bootflash:nxos64-cs.10.5.4.M.bin
```

### Non-Disruptive ISSU (In-Service Software Upgrade)
Data plane stays up; control plane resets (~120 seconds). Must confirm version compatibility first:
```
install all nxos bootflash:nxos64-cs.10.5.4.M.bin non-disruptive
```

> The `install all` command performs a final compatibility check and prompts for confirmation before making any changes.

---

## 7. Post-Upgrade Verification

```
show version
show module
show environment
show interface status
```

Confirm the new NX-OS version is running and all modules/interfaces are healthy.

---

## 8. Clean Up Old Images (Optional)

Once you have confirmed a successful upgrade, remove the old image to free bootflash space:
```
delete bootflash:nxos64-cs.<old_version>.bin
```

---

## Key Tips

- Always schedule upgrades during a **maintenance window**, even for ISSU, as the C9300GX has a single supervisor.
- In a **vPC pair**, upgrade the **secondary switch first**, then the primary.
- Never interrupt power during the upgrade process.
- Keep a backup of your configuration before starting.
