CCNA: Cisco Router IOS Upgrade Procedure

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In preparation of our CCNA exam, we want to make sure we cover the various concepts that we could see on our Cisco CCNA exam. So to assist you, below we will discuss Cisco Router IOS Upgrade Procedure.

Introduction

This document explains how to install Cisco IOS® software onto “Run from Flash” Cisco routers using a Trivial File Transfer Protocol (TFTP) server or Remote Copy Protocol (RCP) server application. The example provided is based on the Cisco 1600 Series Router, but this is applicable to all platforms mentioned below.

Note: The information in this document is based on Cisco IOS Software Release 12.1 and later

Before You Begin

Components Used

The following Cisco routers and access servers are covered by this document:

Cisco 1600 Series Routers
Cisco 2000 Series Routers
Cisco 2500 Series Routers
Cisco 3000 Series Routers
Cisco AS5100 Series Access Servers
Cisco AS5200 Series Access Servers

The information presented in this document was created from devices in a specific lab environment. All of the devices used in this document started with a cleared (default) configuration. If you are working in a live network, ensure that you understand the potential impact of any command before using it.

Backup the router/access server configuration

We recommend that you keep a backup of the router/access server configuration before upgrading the Cisco IOS software image.

Step 1: Install a TFTP Server

A TFTP server or an RCP server application must be installed on a TCP/IP-ready workstation or PC. Once the application is installed, a minimal level of configuration must be performed by following the steps listed below:

Configure the TFTP application to operate as a TFTP server as opposed to a TFTP client.
Specify the outbound file directory. This is the directory in which the Cisco IOS software images are stored (see step 2 below). Most TFTP applications provide a set-up routine to assist in these configuration tasks.Note: A number of TFTP or RCP applications are available from independent software vendors or as shareware from public sources on the World Wide Web.

Step 2: Download the Cisco IOS Software Image

Download the Cisco IOS Software image into your workstation or PC from the Cisco Software Center IOS Upgrade Planner (registered customers only) Make sure the Cisco IOS software image that you downloaded supports both your hardware and the required features. You can verify hardware and feature support using the Cisco Software Advisor tool (registered customers only) . You must also check the memory requirements – both Dynamic RAM (DRAM) and Flash – to be sure the router has enough DRAM and Flash memory to load the selected Cisco IOS software version. For more advice on choosing the right Cisco IOS Software Release for your router, see How to Choose a Cisco IOS Software Release. Should you experience any TFTP issues while upgrading your router, see Common Problems in Installing Images Using TFTP.

Run From Flash Installation

Follow these steps to run from flash installation: Note: For RCP applications, substitute RCP for every occurrence of TFTP. For example, use the copy rcp flash command instead of the copy tftp flash command.

1. Establish a console session to the router.Even if it is possible to connect to the router through a telnet session, it is strongly recommended to be directly connected to the router through the console port. The reason is that if something goes wrong during the upgrade, it might be necessary to be physically located next to the router to power-cycle it. Moreover, you will lose the telnet connection while the router is rebooting during the upgrade procedure.
  A rolled cable (usually a flat black cable) is used to connect the console port of the router to one of the COM ports of the PC.
2. Once the PC is connected to the console port of the router, you need to open Hyperterminal on the PC, and use the following settings:
3. Speed 9600 bits per second
5. 8 databits
7. 0 parity bits
9. 1 stop bit
11. No Flow Control
  Note: If you get any garbage characters in the hyperterminal session, this means that you have not set the hyperterminal properties correctly, or the configuration register of the router is set to a nonstandard value for which the console connection speed is higher than 9600 bps. Check the value of the configuration register using the show version command (shown on the last line) and ensure it is set to 0x2102 or 0x102. It is necessary to reload the router to take this change into consideration. Once you are sure the console speed is set to 9600 bps on the router side, you should check that the hyperterminal properties are set as indicated above. For more information on setting the hyperterminal properties, go to Applying Correct Terminal Emulator Settings for Console Connections.Booting Problems
  
  Once you are connected to the console port of the router, you might notice that the router is either in ROMmon or Boot mode. These two modes are used for recovery and/or diagnostic procedures. If you do not see the usual router prompt, follow the recommendations below to continue with the upgrade procedure installation.
  - Router boots in rommon mode, and the following message appears when you issue the dir flash:: command:
  - rommon 1 > dir flash:
  - device does not contain a valid magic number
  - dir: cannot open device “flash:”
  - rommon 2 >
    When you see the above error message, it means the Flash is empty or the filesystem is corrupted. See Xmodem Console Download Procedure using ROMmon to troubleshoot this problem.
  - Router boots in boot mode, with the following messages on the console:
  - router(boot)>
  - device does not contain a valid magic number
  - boot: cannot open “flash:”
  - boot: cannot determine first file name on device “flash:”
    When you get the above error messages on the console output, it means that the Flash is empty or the file system is corrupted. Copy a valid image on the Flash by following the procedures provided in this document.
12. Configure the router or access server to boot into Rxboot mode.On these platforms, the Cisco IOS software image is actually running directly from the Flash memory. Therefore, you cannot copy the Cisco IOS software image from the TFTP server to the Flash if you are in user privileged EXEC mode (router#). You have to configure the router or access server to boot into Rxboot mode.
  Check the current value of the configuration register. You can see it on the bottom line of the show version output. It is usually set to 0x2102 or 0x102. You will need this value for a later step.
  
  Change the configuration register to the value 0x2101 as follows:
  
  Router>enable
  Password: password
  Router#
  Router#configure terminal
  Enter configuration commands, one per line. End with CNTL/Z.
  Router(config)#config-register 0x2101
  Router(config)#^Z
  Router#
  %SYS-5-CONFIG_I: Configured from console by console
  
  !— It’s not necessary to save the configuration here, as the configuration
  !— register has already been changed in NVRAM
  
  Router#reload
  Note: If you are connected through Telnet, the session is lost after the reload. Wait a few minutes and try again. It is strongly recommended that you do not perform a Cisco IOS software upgrade remotely since most disaster recovery procedures require you to be physically located where the router is installed.
13. Restore the previous configuration register value for the next reload. Note: Do not save the configuration while the router is in boot mode. Avoid using the save commands (write mem or copy run start ), and answer no to any prompt suggesting that you save your current configuration. If you save the configuration while the router is in this mode, the configuration may be partially or completely erased.In the following commands, replace the **** with the configuration register value that you copied in the previous step:
  Router(boot)>
  Router(boot)>enable
  Password: password
  Router(boot)#configure terminal
  Enter configuration commands, one per line. End with CNTL/Z.
  Router(boot)(config)#config-register 0x****
  Router(boot)(config)#^Z
  Note: If you do not remember the value of the configuration register that was previously set, you can use 0x2102 in this step.
14. Verify that the TFTP server has IP connectivity to the router. The TFTP server must have a network connection to the router and must be able to ping the IP address of the router targeted for a TFTP software upgrade. To achieve this, the router interface and the TFTP server must have:
  - an IP address in the same range, or
  - a default gateway configured.
  To verify this, check the IP address of the TFTP server. See Determining IP Addresses for more details.
15. Copy the new software Cisco IOS Software image from the TFTP server to the router or access server.Now that you have IP connectivity and can ping between the computer acting as a TFTP server and the routers, you can copy the Cisco IOS Software image into the Flash.
  Note: Before copying, make sure you have started the TFTP server software on your PC and that you have the filename mentioned in the TFTP server root directory. We recommend that you keep a backup of the router or access server configuration before upgrading. The upgrade itself does not affect the configuration (which is stored in nonvolatile RAM (NVRAM)). However, this might happen if the right steps are not followed properly.
  
  For RCP applications, substitute RCP for every occurrence of TFTP. For example, use the copy rcp flash command instead of the copy tftp flash command.
  
  Router (boot)#copy tftp flash
16. Specify the IP address of the TFTP server.When prompted, enter the IP address of the TFTP server as in the following example:
  Address or name of remote host
  [255.255.255.255]? 172.17.247.195
17. Specify the filename of the new Cisco IOS software image.When prompted, enter the filename of the Cisco IOS Software image to be installed, as in the following example:
  Source file name? c1600-y-l.122-7b.bin
  Note: The filename is case sensitive, so make sure it is entered correctly.
18. Specify the destination image filename.This is the name the new software image will have when it is loaded onto the router. The image can be named anything, but common practice is to enter the same image filename.
  Destination file name [c1600-y-l.112-18.P]? c1600-y-l.122-7b.bin
19. Erase the Flash device before writing YES/NOWhen you see this prompt:
  Erase flash device before writing? [confirm] yes/no
  - Enter yes to erase the existing software image resident in the router’s Flash memory before copying the new one.
  - Enter no to keep the existing software image. Verify that you have enough memory to keep both.
  The copying process takes several minutes; the time differs from network to network. During the copy process, messages are displayed to indicate which files have been accessed.
  
  An exclamation point (!) indicates that the copy process is taking place. Each exclamation point (!) indicates that ten packets have been successfully transferred. A checksum verification of the image occurs after the image is written to Flash memory. The router or access server reloads itself with the new image when the software upgrade is complete.
  
  Information about troubleshooting software transfer problems is available at Common Problems in Installing Images Using TFTP or an RCP Server.

Before reloading, verify the image installation.Verify that the image is properly installed in Flash memory and that the boot system commands point to the proper file to load. Information about verifying the image and boot commands is available at Common Problems in Installing Images Using TFTP or an RCP Server.
To reload, type:

Router(boot)#reload
*Mar 1 00:30:49.972: %SYS-5-CONFIG_I: Configured from console by console
System configuration has been modified. Save? [yes/no]: NO
Proceed with reload? [confirm] YES
Verify that the router is running with the proper image.After the reload is complete, the router should be running the desired Cisco IOS Software image. Use the show version command to verify the upgrade.
If you encounter problems with verifying the image, see Common Problems in Installing Images Using TFTP or an RCP Server.

Sample Output – Cisco 1600 Series Router – Run From Flash Installation

Router >enable
Password:
Router# show version
Cisco Internetwork Operating System Software
IOS ™ 1600 Software (C1600-NY-L), Version 12.0(9), RELEASE SOFTWARE
(fc1)
Copyright (c) 1986-2002 by cisco Systems, Inc.
Compiled Tue 05-Mar-02 01:14 by pwade
Image text-base: 0x08039850, data-base: 0x02005000

ROM: System Bootstrap, Version 11.1(10)AA, EARLY DEPLOYMENT RELEASE

SOFTWARE (fc1)
ROM: 1600 Software (C1600-BOOT-R), Version 11.1(10)AA, EARLY DEPLOYMENT
RELEASE SOFTWARE (fc1)

Router uptime is 7 minutes
System returned to ROM by reload
System image file is “flash:c1600-ny-l.120-9.bin”

cisco 1602 (68360) processor (revision C) with 7680K/2560K bytes of memory.
Processor board ID 14236252, with hardware revision 00000000
Bridging software.
X.25 software, Version 3.0.0.
1 Ethernet/IEEE 802.3 interface(s)
1 Serial network interface(s)
On-board Switched 56K Line Interface.
System/IO memory with parity disabled
2048K bytes of DRAM onboard 8192K bytes of DRAM on SIMM
System running from FLASH
7K bytes of non-volatile configuration memory.
12288K bytes of processor board PCMCIA flash (Read ONLY)

Configuration register is 0x2102

!– This is the original value of the configuration register
Router#configure terminal
Enter configuration commands, one per line. End with CNTL/Z.
Router(config)#config-register 0x2101
Router(config)#^Z
Router#
*Mar 1 00:03:32.656: %SYS-5-CONFIG_I: Configured from console by
console
Router#reload
Proceed with reload? [confirm]

*Mar 1 00:02:00: %SYS-5-RELOAD: Reload requested
System Bootstrap, Version 11.1(10)AA, EARLY DEPLOYMENT RELEASE SOFTWARE
(fc1)
Copyright (c) 1997 by cisco Systems, Inc.
C1600 processor with 10240 Kbytes of main memory

Restricted Rights Legend
Use, duplication, or disclosure by the Government is
subject to restrictions as set forth in subparagraph
(c) of the Commercial Computer Software – Restricted
Rights clause at FAR sec. 52.227-19 and subparagraph
(c) (1) (ii) of the Rights in Technical Data and Computer
Software clause at DFARS sec. 252.227-7013.

cisco Systems, Inc.
170 West Tasman Drive
San Jose, California 95134-1706

Cisco Internetwork Operating System Software
IOS ™ 1600 Software (C1600-BOOT-R), Version 11.1(10)AA, EARLY
DEPLOYMENT
RELEASE SOFTWARE (fc1)
Copyright (c) 1986-1997 by cisco Systems, Inc.
Compiled Tue 18-Mar-97 14:01 by ccai
Image text-base: 0x04018060, data-base: 0x02005000

cisco 1602 (68360) processor (revision C) with 9728K/512K bytes of memory.
Processor board ID 14236252
X.25 software, Version 2.0, NET2, BFE and GOSIP compliant.
1 Ethernet/IEEE 802.3 interface.
1 Serial network interface.
On-board Switched 56K Line Interface.
System/IO memory with parity disabled
8K bytes of non-volatile configuration memory.
12288K bytes of processor board PCMCIA flash (Read/Write)

Press RETURN to get started!

00:00:14: %LINK-3-UPDOWN: Interface Ethernet0, changed state to up

Router(boot)>enable
Password:
Router(boot)#
Router(boot)#configure terminal
Enter configuration commands, one per line. End with CNTL/Z.
Router(boot)(config)#config-register 0x2102
Router(boot)(config)#^Z
Router(boot)#
Router(boot)#ping 172.17.247.195

Type escape sequence to abort.
Sending 5, 100-byte ICMP Echoes to 172.17.247.195, timeout is 2
seconds:
!!!!!
Success rate is 100 percent (5/5), round-trip min/avg/max = 1/200/1000
ms

Router(boot)#copy tftp flash

PCMCIA flash directory:
File Length Name/status
1 5235300 /c1600-ny-l.120-9[5235364 bytes used, 7347548 available, 12582912 total] Address or name of remote host [255.255.255.255]? 172.17.247.195
Source file name? c1600-y-l.122-7b.bin
Destination file name [c1600-y-l.122-7b.bin]? y
Accessing file ‘c1600-y-l.122-7b.bin’ on 172.17.247.195…
Loading c1600-y-l.122-7b.bin from 172.17.247.195 (via Ethernet0): ![OK]

Erase flash device before writing? [confirm] NO

!— Enter “Yes” if your router doesn’t have enough memory in the
!— Flash for both Cisco IOS software images

Copy ‘c1600-y-l.122-7b.bin’ from server
as ‘c1600-y-l.122-7b.bin’ into Flash WITH erase? [yes/no]N
Loading c1600-y-l.122-7b.bin from 172.17.247.195 (via Ethernet0):
!!!!!!!!!!!
!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
!!!!!!
!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
!!!!!!
!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
!!!!!!
!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
!!!!!!
!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
!!!!!!
!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
!!!!!!
!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
!!!!!!
!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
!!!!!!
!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
!!!!!!
!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
!!!!!!
!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
!!!!!!
!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
!!!!!!
![OK – 7120752/12582912 bytes]

Verifying checksum… OK (0xA523)
Flash device copy took 00:06:28 [hh:mm:ss]

Router(boot)#reload
*Mar 1 00:30:49.972: %SYS-5-CONFIG_I: Configured from console by
consoled

System configuration has been modified. Save? [yes/no]: NO
Proceed with reload? [confirm] YES

*Mar 1 00:13:15: %SYS-5-RELOAD: Reload requested

System Bootstrap, Version 11.1(10)AA, EARLY DEPLOYMENT RELEASE SOFTWARE
(fc1)
Copyright (c) 1997 by cisco Systems, Inc.
C1600 processor with 10240 Kbytes of main memory

Restricted Rights Legend

Use, duplication, or disclosure by the Government is
subject to restrictions as set forth in subparagraph
(c) of the Commercial Computer Software – Restricted
Rights clause at FAR sec. 52.227-19 and subparagraph
(c) (1) (ii) of the Rights in Technical Data and Computer
Software clause at DFARS sec. 252.227-7013.

cisco Systems, Inc.
170 West Tasman Drive
San Jose, California 95134-1706

Cisco Internetwork Operating System Software
IOS ™ 1600 Software (C1600-Y-L), Version 12.2(7b), RELEASE SOFTWARE
(fc1)
Copyright (c) 1986-2002 by cisco Systems, Inc.
Compiled Tue 05-Mar-02 01:14 by pwade
Image text-base: 0x08039850, data-base: 0x02005000

cisco 1602 (68360) processor (revision C) with 7680K/2560K bytes of
memory.
Processor board ID 14236252, with hardware revision 00000000
Bridging software.
X.25 software, Version 3.0.0.
1 Ethernet/IEEE 802.3 interface(s)
1 Serial network interface(s)
On-board Switched 56K Line Interface.
System/IO memory with parity disabled
2048K bytes of DRAM onboard 8192K bytes of DRAM on SIMM
System running from FLASH
7K bytes of non-volatile configuration memory.
12288K bytes of processor board PCMCIA flash (Read ONLY)

Press RETURN to get started!
Issue the show version command to verify that the correct Cisco IOS software image is loaded, and that the configuration register is 0x2102.
Router >enable
Router# show version
Cisco Internetwork Operating System Software
IOS ™ 1600 Software (C1600-Y-L), Version 12.2(7b), RELEASE SOFTWARE
(fc1)
Copyright (c) 1986-2002 by cisco Systems, Inc.
Compiled Tue 05-Mar-02 01:14 by pwade
Image text-base: 0x08039850, data-base: 0x02005000

ROM: System Bootstrap, Version 11.1(10)AA, EARLY DEPLOYMENT RELEASE
SOFTWARE (fc1)
ROM: 1600 Software (C1600-BOOT-R), Version 11.1(10)AA, EARLY DEPLOYMENT
RELEASE SOFTWARE (fc1)

Router uptime is 7 minutes
System returned to ROM by reload
System image file is “flash:c1600-y-l.122-7b.bin”

cisco 1602 (68360) processor (revision C) with 7680K/2560K bytes of memory.

Processor board ID 14236252, with hardware revision 00000000
Bridging software.
X.25 software, Version 3.0.0.
1 Ethernet/IEEE 802.3 interface(s)
1 Serial network interface(s)
On-board Switched 56K Line Interface.
System/IO memory with parity disabled
2048K bytes of DRAM onboard 8192K bytes of DRAM on SIMM
System running from FLASH
7K bytes of non-volatile configuration memory.
12288K bytes of processor board PCMCIA flash (Read ONLY)

Configuration register is 0x2102

I hope you found this article to be of use and it helps you prepare for your Cisco CCNA certification. Achieving your CCNA certification is much more than just memorizing Cisco exam material. It is having the real world knowledge to configure your Cisco equipment and be able to methodically troubleshoot Cisco issues. So I encourage you to continue in your studies for your CCNA exam certification.