Upgrading Software
To upgrade the software on a switch:
These rules guide you in upgrading to a later version of software. When you
upgrade switches from different product lines, follow these rules to ensure
success and to streamline the upgrade process:
- Do not upgrade switches with different characteristics at the same time.
You can upgrade Catalyst 1900 and 2820 switches as a group, Catalyst 2900
XL, 2950, and 3500 XL switches as another group, and Catalyst 3550 switches
as a third group.
- Use the .tar version of the upgrade image for Catalyst 2900 XL, 2950, 3500
XL, and 3550 switches; use the .bin image for Catalyst 1900 and 2820 switches.
These file types (.tar and .bin) contain the software image and management
code needed for the upgrade.
- Upgrade Catalyst 1900 and 2820 switches last. These switches must be rebooted
soon after the upgrade. If you fail to select Reboot Cluster
within 30 seconds of the upgrade, these switches reboot automatically (allow
a 5-minute delay).
- Do not upgrade Catalyst 2900 XL switches with 4 MB of memory (models WS-C2908-XL,
WS-C2916M-XL, WS-C2924C-XL, and WS-C2924-XL) to Cisco IOS Release 12.0(5)XU.
Check Cisco.com for the latest original edition software for these switches.
You need the IP address of the PC or UNIX
station that is acting as the TFTP server.
- To obtain the IP address of
a Windows NT system, enter ipconfig at the DOS command prompt.
- To
obtain the IP address of a Windows 95 system, choose Start > Run
and enter winipcfg.
- To obtain the IP address of a UNIX
station, enter ifconfig -a at the prompt or look in the /etc/hosts
file.
Note: If your PC is running the Cisco TFTP
server, check for the IP address on the title bar of the TFTP application.
To download a new version of switch software and the Cisco TFTP server application
from Cisco.com to your PC or UNIX station hard disk:
- Log in to Cisco.com.
- Download the TFTP server application by following the instructions in Cisco.com.
Note: To ensure full technical support, Cisco Systems recommends
using the TFTP server application (Version 1.1 or later). Earlier versions
of this application do not properly copy the files during the upgrade process.
- Follow the instructions in Cisco.com to download the .tar file (combined
IOS image and management software) for 2900 XL, 2950, 3500 XL, and 3550 switches
or the .bin file for Catalyst 1900 and 2820 switches.