248 lines
6.6 KiB
Markdown
248 lines
6.6 KiB
Markdown
---
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title: Voyager SW26G Upgrade
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description: Cisco ESS 3300 Upgrade
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published: true
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date: 2026-03-19T15:46:20.810Z
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tags:
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editor: markdown
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dateCreated: 2026-03-19T15:46:15.200Z
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---
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# Cisco ESS3300 — IOS XE Software Upgrade Guide
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---
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## Platform Overview
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The Cisco Embedded Services 3300 (ESS3300) is a ruggedized, embedded-form-factor switch running **Cisco IOS XE**. Software images are stored on the system board flash device (`flash:`). The ESS3300 supports two boot modes:
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- **Install Mode** *(recommended)* — software is expanded into discrete package files; supports rollback
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- **Bundle Mode** — the switch boots directly from a monolithic `.bin` file
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> **Note:** All procedures in this guide use Install Mode. Cisco recommends Install Mode for all IOS XE upgrades. Verify your current boot mode before proceeding.
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---
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## 1. Pre-Upgrade Checks
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### Verify Current Software Version and Boot Mode
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```
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show version
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show boot
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```
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Confirm the `BOOT variable` points to `flash:packages.conf` (Install Mode). If it shows a `.bin` file, you are in Bundle Mode — see the Bundle Mode section at the end of this document before proceeding.
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### Check Switch Health
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```
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show module
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show environment all
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show logging last 100
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```
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Resolve any hardware faults, fan alarms, or recurring log errors before proceeding.
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### Verify Flash Space
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IOS XE images typically require **1–1.5 GB** of free flash space. Check available space and clean up inactive packages if necessary:
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```
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dir flash:
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install remove inactive
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```
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Confirm the space is sufficient before copying the new image.
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### Backup the Running Configuration
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```
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copy running-config startup-config
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copy running-config flash:backup-config.txt
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```
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---
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## 2. Obtain the IOS XE Image
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1. Navigate to [https://software.cisco.com](https://software.cisco.com) and log in. A valid Cisco service contract is required.
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2. Go to **Downloads → Switches → Industrial Ethernet Switches → Embedded Services 3300 Series**.
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3. Select the target IOS XE release. Download the appropriate `.bin` image for the ESS3300 platform.
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4. Record the **MD5 checksum** from the download page for later verification.
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> **Upgrade Path:** Verify that your current release and target release form a supported direct upgrade path. Some versions require an intermediate "stepping stone" release. Refer to the release notes for the target version before proceeding.
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---
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## 3. Transfer the Image to the Switch
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### Option A — SCP from Windows PC (OpenSSH)
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Verify the OpenSSH Server service is running on your PC:
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```
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net start sshd
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```
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Enable SCP server on the switch:
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```
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feature scp-server
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```
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From the switch CLI, pull the image from the Windows PC:
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```
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copy scp://YourUsername@<PC-IP>/C:/path/to/<image>.bin flash: vrf management
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```
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> **Tip:** Place the image in a short path with no spaces, such as `C:\ios\`, to avoid syntax issues.
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### Option B — TFTP
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From the switch CLI:
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```
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copy tftp://<TFTP-Server-IP>/<image>.bin flash: vrf management
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```
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### Option C — USB Drive
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Format the USB drive as FAT32 and copy the image to the root of the drive. Insert the drive into the switch USB port, then from the CLI:
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```
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copy usbflash0:<image>.bin flash:
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```
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---
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## 4. Verify the Image Integrity
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Confirm the image copied successfully:
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```
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dir flash:
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```
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Verify the MD5 checksum matches the value from the Cisco download page:
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```
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verify /md5 flash:<image>.bin
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```
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Do not proceed if the checksum does not match — re-transfer the image.
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---
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## 5. Set the Boot Variable (Install Mode)
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Ensure the boot variable is correctly set to `packages.conf` before installing:
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```
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configure terminal
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no boot system
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boot system flash:packages.conf
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end
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write memory
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```
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Verify:
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```
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show boot
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```
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The `BOOT variable` line should read `flash:packages.conf`.
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---
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## 6. Install and Activate the New Image
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Run the install command to stage, activate, and commit the new image in a single operation. The switch will reload automatically when prompted — respond `y` to confirm:
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```
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install add file flash:<image>.bin activate commit
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```
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The process will:
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1. Expand the `.bin` into package files on flash
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2. Activate the new packages
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3. Prompt for a reload
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4. Commit the new version as the running baseline on first boot
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> **Important:** Do not interrupt the process or remove power during installation or reload.
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---
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## 7. Post-Upgrade Verification
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After the switch reloads, verify the upgrade was successful:
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```
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show version
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show boot
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show module
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show environment all
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show interface status
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```
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Confirm that:
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- The IOS XE version matches the target release
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- `BOOT variable` still shows `flash:packages.conf`
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- All modules and interfaces are in the expected state
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- No new errors appear in the system log (`show logging last 50`)
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---
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## 8. Clean Up Old Installation Files
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Once the upgrade is confirmed stable, remove inactive packages to reclaim flash space:
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```
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install remove inactive
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```
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Confirm when prompted.
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---
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## Bundle Mode Upgrade (Alternative)
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If the switch is running in Bundle Mode (boots from a `.bin` file), use the following procedure instead of the Install Mode steps above:
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```
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configure terminal
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no boot system
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boot system flash:<new-image>.bin
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end
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write memory
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reload
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```
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After reloading, verify with `show version`. Note that Bundle Mode does not support rollback. Cisco recommends converting to Install Mode going forward.
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---
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## Emergency Recovery
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If the switch is stuck at the `switch:` ROMMON prompt or is in a boot loop, use the emergency recovery procedure:
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1. Connect a terminal to the console port (RJ-45 or USB-mini, 9600 baud / 8N1).
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2. Connect port **Gi1/3** to a PC running a TFTP server with a valid IOS XE image at the TFTP root.
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3. If in a boot loop, hold the front-panel button for approximately 5 seconds to break the cycle and stop at the `switch:` prompt.
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4. From the `switch:` prompt, boot the emergency install image:
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```
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switch: boot emgy0:<image>.SPA.bin
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```
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---
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## Key Reminders
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- Schedule upgrades during a **maintenance window**. The ESS3300 has no redundant supervisor — traffic will be interrupted during the reload.
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- In a stacked or redundant deployment, upgrade the secondary/standby unit first, then the primary.
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- The boot loader (ROMMON) may be automatically upgraded on the first boot of a new IOS XE release. This is expected behavior and does not indicate a failure.
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- Smart Licensing requires registration after upgrading to a release that introduces Smart Licensing Using Policy (SLUP). Existing licenses remain in evaluation mode until registered.
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- Starting with IOS XE 17.10, certain legacy SSH key exchange and MAC algorithms were removed from the default list. Review the target release notes if SSH access is affected post-upgrade.
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