Blog

How to upgrade Cisco switch firmware

Step 1: Transfer the Firmware File to the Switch

  • Using SCP (Secure Copy):
Switch#copy scp: flash:           #copy firmware from remote location using 
Address or name of remote host []? 10.0.0.3          
Source username [Switch]? admin
Source filename []? cat9k_iosxe.17.12.04.SPA.bin
Destination filename [cat9k_iosxe.17.12.04.SPA.bin]?
Password:
 scp: debug1: fd 3 clearing O_NONBLOCK
Sending file modes: C0755 1306917133 cat9k_iosxe.17.12.04.SPA.bin
!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!          !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Step 2: Install the New Firmware.

Use the install command to add, activate, and commit the new image:

install add file flash:cat9k_iosxe.17.12.04.SPA.bin activate commit

What This Does:

  • add: Copies and extracts the file to flash.
  • activate: Sets the new image as the next boot image.
  • commit: Makes the change permanent after reload.

The switch will reload automatically after activate. This takes 5–10 minutes.

Step 3: Verify the Upgrade

After reboot, log back in and check the version:

Leave a Reply