Friday, February 7, 2020

Cisco 3850 IOS Bundle to Install Mode Conversion

Here's a good Cisco link comparing the Install versus Bundle Mode on a Catalyst 3850 switch (also applies to a 3650 switch).

Install Versus Bundle Mode

When you deploy the Cisco Catalyst 3850 Series Switch, you have two modes of operation to choose from: INSTALL and BUNDLE. There are minor differences between the two modes. Review the configuration guide for more details.

Cisco recommends that the INSTALL mode is used during operation because it allows for a more complete set of features and requires fewer resources upon boot.


Install Mode

This is the default mode for the switch. The INSTALL mode uses a package-provisioning file named packages.conf in order to boot the switch. In addition, there are a number of .pkg files in the flash.

Cisco recommends that you do not alter these files unless directed by a Cisco Technical Assistance Center (TAC) engineer.


Bundle Mode

If you are comfortable with the use of traditional monolithic IOS images in order to boot the switch, then the BUNDLE mode should be familiar. The BUNDLE mode consumes more memory than the INSTALL mode because the packages are extracted from the Bundle and copied to the RAM.


Use the show version command to verify the current boot image and IOS mode, which is in BUNDLE mode.

3850#show version
Cisco IOS Software, IOS-XE Software, Catalyst L3 Switch Software (CAT3K_CAA-UNIVERSALK9-M), Version 03.06.04.E RELEASE SOFTWARE (fc2)
Copyright (c) 1986-2016 by Cisco Systems, Inc.
Compiled Sat 13-Feb-16 03:45 by prod_rel_team

Cisco IOS-XE software, Copyright (c) 2005-2015 by cisco Systems, Inc.
All rights reserved.  Certain components of Cisco IOS-XE software are
licensed under the GNU General Public License ("GPL") Version 2.0.  The
software code licensed under GPL Version 2.0 is free software that comes
with ABSOLUTELY NO WARRANTY.  You can redistribute and/or modify such
GPL code under the terms of GPL Version 2.0.
(http://www.gnu.org/licenses/gpl-2.0.html) For more details, see the
documentation or "License Notice" file accompanying the IOS-XE software,
or the applicable URL provided on the flyer accompanying the IOS-XE
software.

ROM: IOS-XE ROMMON
BOOTLDR: CAT3K_CAA Boot Loader (CAT3K_CAA-HBOOT-M) Version 1.18, RELEASE SOFTWARE (P)

3850 uptime is 2 years, 36 weeks, 3 days, 19 hours, 19 minutes
Uptime for this control processor is 2 years, 36 weeks, 3 days, 19 hours, 22 minutes
System returned to ROM by Power Failure
System restarted at 21:36:40 UTC Fri May 26 2017
System image file is "flash:cat3k_caa-universalk9.SPA.03.06.04.E.152-2.E4.bin"
Last reload reason: Power Failure

This product contains cryptographic features and is subject to United
States and local country laws governing import, export, transfer and
use. Delivery of Cisco cryptographic products does not imply
third-party authority to import, export, distribute or use encryption.
Importers, exporters, distributors and users are responsible for
compliance with U.S. and local country laws. By using this product you
agree to comply with applicable laws and regulations. If you are unable
to comply with U.S. and local laws, return this product immediately.

A summary of U.S. laws governing Cisco cryptographic products may be found at:

If you require further assistance please contact us by sending email to
export@cisco.com.

License Level: Ipbase
License Type: Permanent
Next reload license Level: Ipbase

cisco WS-C3850-48P (MIPS) processor with 4194304K bytes of physical memory.
Processor board ID FOC20031234
2 Virtual Ethernet interfaces
52 Gigabit Ethernet interfaces
4 Ten Gigabit Ethernet interfaces
2048K bytes of non-volatile configuration memory.
4194304K bytes of physical memory.
250456K bytes of Crash Files at crashinfo:.
1609272K bytes of Flash at flash:.
0K bytes of Dummy USB Flash at usbflash0:.
0K bytes of  at webui:.

Base Ethernet MAC Address          : 00:af:1f:cc:12:34
Motherboard Assembly Number        : 73-15800-07
Motherboard Serial Number          : FOC2003ABCD
Model Revision Number              : AA0
Motherboard Revision Number        : B0
Model Number                       : WS-C3850-48P
System Serial Number               : FOC20031234

Switch Ports Model              SW Version        SW Image              Mode  
------ ----- -----              ----------        ----------            ----  
*    1 56    WS-C3850-48P       03.06.04.E        cat3k_caa-universalk9 BUNDLE

Configuration register is 0x102


Extract or expand the BUNDLE image to flash memory using the software expand running to flash: command. Notice the running-packages.conf was created since there's already an existing packages.conf file using the old image (03.02.03).

3850#software expand running to flash:
Preparing expand operation ...
[1]: Expanding the running bundle
[1]: Copying package files
[1]: A different version of provisioning file packages.conf already exists in flash:.
    The provisioning file from the expanded bundle will be saved as
    flash:running-packages.conf
[1]: Package files copied
[1]: Finished expanding the running bundle


The BUNDLE mode uses the traditional boot command to point the .bin file.

3850#show run | inc boot
boot-start-marker
boot system switch all flash:cat3k_caa-universalk9.SPA.03.06.04.E.152-2.E4.bin
boot-end-marker
diagnostic bootup level minimal
3850#dir
Directory of flash:/

77442  -rwx     2097152   Feb 6 2020 14:10:40 +00:00  nvram_config
77443  -rwx    74369716  Jan 26 2016 22:54:35 +00:00  cat3k_caa-base.SPA.03.02.03.SE.pkg
77444  -rwx     5808828  Jan 26 2016 22:54:36 +00:00  cat3k_caa-drivers.SPA.03.02.03.SE.pkg
77445  -rwx    32496484  Jan 26 2016 22:54:35 +00:00  cat3k_caa-infra.SPA.03.02.03.SE.pkg
77446  -rwx    30418104  Jan 26 2016 22:54:36 +00:00  cat3k_caa-iosd-universalk9.SPA.150-1.EX3.pkg
77447  -rwx    16059104  Jan 26 2016 22:54:35 +00:00  cat3k_caa-platform.SPA.03.02.03.SE.pkg
77448  -rwx    64586444  Jan 26 2016 22:54:36 +00:00  cat3k_caa-wcm.SPA.10.0.120.0.pkg
77449  -rwx        1224  Jan 26 2016 22:54:46 +00:00  packages.conf
77450  -rw-   302988468   May 9 2016 20:14:42 +00:00  cat3k_caa-universalk9.SPA.03.06.04.E.152-2.E4.bin
77451  drwx        4096   May 9 2016 20:22:52 +00:00  dc_profile_dir
77453  -rw-        2656   Dec 2 2019 07:38:53 +00:00  vlan.dat
77454  -rw-   305199560  Jan 11 2020 11:01:34 +00:00  cat3k_caa-universalk9.SPA.03.06.07.E.152-2.E7.bin
77457  -rw-    82665136   Feb 6 2020 16:56:48 +00:00  cat3k_caa-base.SPA.03.06.04.E.pkg
77458  -rw-     4913852   Feb 6 2020 16:56:48 +00:00  cat3k_caa-drivers.SPA.03.06.04.E.pkg
77459  -rw-    33784816   Feb 6 2020 16:56:48 +00:00  cat3k_caa-infra.SPA.03.06.04.E.pkg
77460  -rw-    43021636   Feb 6 2020 16:56:48 +00:00  cat3k_caa-iosd-universalk9.SPA.152-2.E4.pkg
77461  -rw-    27417488   Feb 6 2020 16:56:48 +00:00  cat3k_caa-platform.SPA.03.06.04.E.pkg
77462  -rw-   111180608   Feb 6 2020 16:56:48 +00:00  cat3k_caa-wcm.SPA.10.2.140.0.pkg
77456  -rw-        1244   Feb 6 2020 16:57:06 +00:00  running-packages.conf

1621966848 bytes total (481095680 bytes free)


Remove the old boot command and set it to running-packages.conf created earlier. Use show boot to verify the boot variables then reboot the switch using the reload command.

3850#configure terminal
Enter configuration commands, one per line.  End with CNTL/Z.
3850(config)#no boot system switch all flash:cat3k_caa-universalk9.SPA.03.06.04.E.152-2.E4.bin
3850(config)#boot system switch all flash:running-packages.conf
3850(config)#end
3850#write memory
Building configuration...
Compressed configuration from 15761 bytes to 7060 bytes[OK]

3850#show boot
---------------------------
Switch 1
---------------------------
Current Boot Variables:
BOOT variable = flash:running-packages.conf;

Boot Variables on next reload:
BOOT variable = flash:running-packages.conf;
Allow Dev Key = yes
Manual Boot = no
Enable Break = no
3850#reload
Reload command is being issued on Active unit, this will reload the whole stack

<OUTPUT TRUNCATED>


Notice the boot image is pointing to running-packages.conf and IOS mode is now INSTALL.

3850#show version
Cisco IOS Software, IOS-XE Software, Catalyst L3 Switch Software (CAT3K_CAA-UNIVERSALK9-M), Version 03.06.04.E RELEASE SOFTWARE (fc2)
Copyright (c) 1986-2016 by Cisco Systems, Inc.
Compiled Sat 13-Feb-16 03:45 by prod_rel_team

Cisco IOS-XE software, Copyright (c) 2005-2015 by cisco Systems, Inc.
All rights reserved.  Certain components of Cisco IOS-XE software are
licensed under the GNU General Public License ("GPL") Version 2.0.  The
software code licensed under GPL Version 2.0 is free software that comes
with ABSOLUTELY NO WARRANTY.  You can redistribute and/or modify such
GPL code under the terms of GPL Version 2.0.
(http://www.gnu.org/licenses/gpl-2.0.html) For more details, see the
documentation or "License Notice" file accompanying the IOS-XE software,
or the applicable URL provided on the flyer accompanying the IOS-XE
software.

ROM: IOS-XE ROMMON
BOOTLDR: CAT3K_CAA Boot Loader (CAT3K_CAA-HBOOT-M) Version 1.18, RELEASE SOFTWARE (P)

3850 uptime is 1 minute
Uptime for this control processor is 4 minutes
System returned to ROM by reload at 16:59:07 UTC Thu Feb 6 2020
System image file is "flash:running-packages.conf"
Last reload reason: Reload command

This product contains cryptographic features and is subject to United
States and local country laws governing import, export, transfer and
use. Delivery of Cisco cryptographic products does not imply
third-party authority to import, export, distribute or use encryption.
Importers, exporters, distributors and users are responsible for
compliance with U.S. and local country laws. By using this product you
agree to comply with applicable laws and regulations. If you are unable
to comply with U.S. and local laws, return this product immediately.

A summary of U.S. laws governing Cisco cryptographic products may be found at:

If you require further assistance please contact us by sending email to
export@cisco.com.
         
License Level: Ipbase
License Type: Permanent
Next reload license Level: Ipbase

cisco WS-C3850-48P (MIPS) processor with 4194304K bytes of physical memory.
Processor board ID FOC20031234
2 Virtual Ethernet interfaces
52 Gigabit Ethernet interfaces
4 Ten Gigabit Ethernet interfaces
2048K bytes of non-volatile configuration memory.
4194304K bytes of physical memory.
250456K bytes of Crash Files at crashinfo:.
1609272K bytes of Flash at flash:.
0K bytes of Dummy USB Flash at usbflash0:.
0K bytes of  at webui:.

Base Ethernet MAC Address          : 00:af:1f:cc:12:34
Motherboard Assembly Number        : 73-15800-07
Motherboard Serial Number          : FOC2003ABCD
Model Revision Number              : AA0
Motherboard Revision Number        : B0
Model Number                       : WS-C3850-48P
System Serial Number               : FOC20031234

Switch Ports Model              SW Version        SW Image              Mode  
------ ----- -----              ----------        ----------            ----  
*    1 56    WS-C3850-48P       03.06.04.E        cat3k_caa-universalk9 INSTALL

Configuration register is 0x102