Document Change History

The document change history outlines the updates and modifications made to this document for a release train.

Document Change History

Date

Release

Sections Updated

August 14, 2024

17.15.1

Introduction

Cisco Catalyst 9500 Series Switches, Cisco Catalyst 9500 Series Switches - High Performance, and Cisco Catalyst 9500X Series Switches are Cisco's lead, fixed core and aggregation enterprise switching platforms. They have been purpose-built to address emerging trends of Security, IoT, Mobility, and Cloud.

They deliver complete convergence in terms of ASIC architecture with Unified Access Data Plane (UADP) 2.0 on Cisco Catalyst 9500 Series Switches, UADP 3.0 on Cisco Catalyst 9500 Series Switches - High Performance, and Q200 on Cisco Catalyst 9500X Series Switches. The platform runs an Open Cisco IOS XE that supports model driven programmability. This series forms the foundational building block for SD-Access, which is Cisco’s lead enterprise architecture.

 Note
With the introduction of the High Performance models in the series, there may be differences in the supported and unsupported features, limitations, and caveats that apply to the Cisco Catalyst 9500 Series Switches and Cisco Catalyst 9500 Series Switches - High Performance models. Throughout this release note document, any such differences are expressly called out. If they are not, the information applies to all models in the series.

Supported Cisco Catalyst 9500 Series Switches Model Numbers

The following table lists the supported hardware models and the default license levels they are delivered with. For more information about the available license levels, see section License Levels.

Base PIDs are the model numbers of the switch.

Bundled PIDs indicate the orderable part numbers for base PIDs that are bundled with a particular network module. Entering the show version , show module , or show inventory commands on such a switch (bundled PID), displays its base PID.

Cisco Catalyst 9500 Series Switches

Switch Model

Default License Level1

Description

Introductory Release

Base PIDs

C9500-12Q-E

Network Essentials

12 40-Gigabit Ethernet QSFP+ ports and two power supply slots

Cisco IOS XE Everest 16.6.1

C9500-12Q-A

Network Advantage

Cisco IOS XE Everest 16.6.1

C9500-16X-E

Network Essentials

16 1/10-Gigabit Ethernet SFP/SFP+ ports and two power supply slots

Cisco IOS XE Fuji 16.8.1a

C9500-16X-A

Network Advantage

Cisco IOS XE Fuji 16.8.1a

C9500-24Q-E

Network Essentials

24-Port 40-Gigabit Ethernet QSFP+ ports and two power supply slots

Cisco IOS XE Everest 16.5.1a

C9500-24Q-A

Network Advantage

Cisco IOS XE Everest 16.5.1a

C9500-40X-E

Network Essentials

40 1/10-Gigabit Ethernet SFP/SFP+ ports and two power supply slots

Cisco IOS XE Everest 16.6.1

C9500-40X-A

Network Advantage

Cisco IOS XE Everest 16.6.1

Bundled PIDs

C9500-16X-2Q-E

Network Essentials

16 10-Gigabit Ethernet SFP+ port switch and a 2-Port 40-Gigabit Ethernet (QSFP) network module on uplink ports

Cisco IOS XE Fuji 16.8.1a

C9500-16X-2Q-A

Network Advantage

Cisco IOS XE Fuji 16.8.1a

C9500-24X-E

Network Essentials

16 10-Gigabit Ethernet SFP+ port switch and an 8-Port 10-Gigabit Ethernet (SFP) network module on uplink ports

Cisco IOS XE Fuji 16.8.1a

C9500-24X-A

Network Advantage

Cisco IOS XE Fuji 16.8.1a

C9500-40X-2Q-E

Network Essentials

40 10-Gigabit Ethernet SFP+ port switch and a 2-Port 40-Gigabit Ethernet (QSFP) network module on uplink ports

Cisco IOS XE Fuji 16.8.1a

C9500-40X-2Q-A

Network Advantage

Cisco IOS XE Fuji 16.8.1a

C9500-48X-E

Network Essentials

40 10-Gigabit Ethernet SFP+ port switch and an 8-Port 10-Gigabit Ethernet (SFP) network module on uplink ports

Cisco IOS XE Fuji 16.8.1a

C9500-48X-A

Network Advantage

Cisco IOS XE Fuji 16.8.1a
1 See section Licensing → Table: Permitted Combinations, in this document for information about the add-on licenses that you can order.
Cisco Catalyst 9500 Series Switches-High Performance

Switch Model

Default License Level2

Description

Introductory Release

C9500-24Y4C-E

Network Essentials

24 SFP28 ports that support 1/10/25-GigabitEthernet connectivity, four QSFP uplink ports that support 100/40-GigabitEthernet connectivity; two power supply slots.

Cisco IOS XE Fuji 16.8.1a

C9500-24Y4C-A

Network Advantage

Cisco IOS XE Fuji 16.8.1a

C9500-32C-E

Network Essentials

32 QSFP28 ports that support 40/100 GigabitEthernet connectivity; two power supply slots.

Cisco IOS XE Fuji 16.8.1a

C9500-32C-A

Network Advantage

Cisco IOS XE Fuji 16.8.1a

C9500-32QC-E

Network Essentials

32 QSFP28 ports, where you can have 24 ports that support 40-GigabitEthernet connectivity and 4 ports that support 100-GigabitEthernet connectivity, OR 32 ports that support 40-GigabitEthernet connectivity, OR 16 ports that support 100-GigabitEthernet connectivity; two power supply slots.

Cisco IOS XE Fuji 16.8.1a

C9500-32QC-A

Network Advantage

Cisco IOS XE Fuji 16.8.1a

C9500-48Y4C-E

Network Essentials

48 SFP28 ports that support 1/10/25-GigabitEthernet connectivity; four QSFP uplink ports that supports up to 100/40-GigabitEthernet connectivity; two power supply slots.

Cisco IOS XE Fuji 16.8.1a

C9500-48Y4C-A

Network Advantage

Cisco IOS XE Fuji 16.8.1a
2 See section Licensing → Table: Permitted Combinations, in this document for information about the add-on licenses that you can order.
Cisco Catalyst 9500X Series Switches

Switch Model

Default License Level3

Description

Introductory Release

C9500X-28C8D-E

Network Essentials

28x100G QSFP28 and 8x400G QSFP-DD ports; two power supply slots

Cisco IOS XE Cupertino 17.7.1

C9500X-28C8D-A

Network Advantage

Cisco IOS XE Cupertino 17.7.1
C9500X-60L4D-A

Network Advantage

60x50G SFP56 and 4x400G QSFP-DD ports; two power supply slots

Cisco IOS XE Dublin 17.10.1b
3 See section Licensing → Table: Permitted Combinations, in this document for information about the add-on licenses that you can order.

Supported Network Modules

The following table lists optional network modules for uplink ports available with some configurations .

Network Module

Description

Introductory Release

C9500-NM-8X

Cisco Catalyst 9500 Series Network Module 8-port 1/10 Gigabit Ethernet with SFP/SFP+

Note the supported switch models (Base PIDs):

  • C9500-40X

  • C9500-16X

Cisco IOS XE Fuji 16.8.1a

C9500-NM-2Q

Cisco Catalyst 9500 Series Network Module 2-port 40 Gigabit Ethernet with QSFP+

Note the supported switch models (Base PIDs):

  • C9500-40X

  • C9500-16X

Cisco IOS XE Fuji 16.8.1a

What's New in Cisco IOS XE 17.15.x

Hardware Features in Cisco IOS XE 17.15.1

There are no new hardware features in this release.

Software Features in Cisco IOS XE 17.15.1

Feature Name

Applicable Models

Description

AAA PAC-less Authentication

All Models

In multi ISE node environment when the primary ISE node is unavailable, device can automatically switch to the secondary node without needing to re-establish a Provisioning Authentication Credential (PAC), ensuring minimal disruption.

AAA PAC-less authentication simplifies the authentication process by eliminating the need for a PAC, improves scalability, enhances the user experience, and enables more modern authentication methods while aligning with Zero Trust security principles.

See Cisco TrustSec → Cisco TrustSec Overview.

(Network Essentials)

AWS S3 and CloudWatch Support

All Models

Cisco Catalyst 9000 Series Switches support Amazon Web Services S3 and CloudWatch. With AWS S3, network administrators can mount an Amazon Simple Storage Service (S3) bucket to the bootflash. The S3 bucket enables easy distribution of software images, software maintenance upgrades (SMUs), and scripts to multiple devices without any disruptions. Network administrators can also create, edit, and delete the cloud storage instance using AWS S3 functionality, and make them accessible as part of the bootflash.

The AWS CloudWatch is a monitoring and logging service that provides data that enables you to understand, optimize, and enhance the performance of your applications, systems, and services running on the Cloud platform and on-premise servers.

Global Link Debounce Timer

9500X

The Link Debounce Timer delays notification of a link up or down status change. Delayed notification of a link status change can decrease traffic loss due to network reconfiguration when network ethernet port experiences minor faults in the link. The Link Debounce Up Timer is a new enhancement of the feature which delays notification of a link from down to up status change.

The feature is implemented on C9500X-28C8D and C9500X-60L4D models of Cisco Catalyst 9500 Series Switches at the global level only. Per port configuration is not supported.

See Interface and Hardware Components → Configuring Link Debounce Timer.

(Network Essentials)

MACsec over Port Channel Subinterfaces

9500X

MACsec is supported over port channel subinterfaces.

See Security → Configuring MACsec Encryption.

(Network Advantage)

Port Settings Configuration for Interfaces

All Models

The port-settings command is introduced. The port-settings command can simultaneously or separately configure the speed, duplex, and auto negotiation for an interface, an interface range, or a port channel interface.

When using a single command to configure multiple parameters of the port-settings command, the order must be, speed, duplex, and autoneg. If you specify speed first, you can configure duplex and autoneg for the interface. If you specify duplex first, you can only configure autoneg. And, if you specify autoneg first, you cannot configure speed or duplex.

See Interface and Hardware Components → Configuring Interface Characteristics.

(Network Essentials)

Programmability:

  • YANG Data Models

All Models

The following programmability features are introduced in this release:

See Programmability.

(Network Essentials and Network Advantage)

Serviceability: Embedded Packet Capture on Control-Plane Interface

9500X

Embedded Packet Capture is supported on control plane packets.

See Network Management → Configuring Packet Capture.

(Network Essentials)

Serviceability: Embedded Packet Capture on Layer 2 Interfaces

9500X

Embedded Packet Capture is supported on Layer 2 interfaces.

See Network Management → Configuring Packet Capture.

(Network Essentials)

Serviceability: Enhanced Drop Detection

9500X

Enhanced Drop Detection allows you to determine where packets are being dropped in the processing path.

See Network Management → Configuring Enhanced Drop Detection and Enhanced Packet Drop Analyzer.

(Network Essentials)

Serviceability: Packet Drop Analyzer

9500X

Packet Drop Analyzer allows you to configure traps to punt dropped packets to a CPU based destination for the purpose of debugging.

See Network Management → Configuring Enhanced Drop Detection and Enhanced Packet Drop Analyzer.

(Network Essentials)

Unique BGP Identifier for BGP-4

All Models

Enhancement to Border Gateway Protocol (BGP) IPv4 router-id, added support for RFC 6286, which allows configuring IPv4 multicast and local range addresses as BGP router-ID, in addition to allowing peers with the same BGP router-ID and different ASes to establish a BGP connection.

(Network Advantage)

WAN MACsec over Port Channel Subinterfaces

9500X

WAN MACsec is supported over port channel subinterfaces.

See Security → Configuring MACsec Encryption.

(Network Advantage)

New on the WebUI

There are no new WebUI features in this release.

Hardware and Software Behavior Changes in Cisco IOS XE 17.15.1

Behavior Change

Description

udld port Field Renamed

The udld port field name in the output of the show run yang interface has been renamed to udld port enable.

Egress ACL: NAT Traffic

When nat scale command is enabled, egress ACL gets applied to both NAT translated and untranslated traffic.

This is applicable to Cisco Catalyst 9500 Series Switches - High Performance.

Caveats

Caveats describe unexpected behavior in Cisco IOS-XE releases. Caveats listed as open in a prior release are carried forward to the next release as either open or resolved.

Open Caveats in Cisco IOS XE 17.15.x

There are no open caveats in this release.

Resolved Caveats in Cisco IOS XE 17.15.1

Identifier

Applicable Models

Headline

CSCwj54584

All models

C9500 management port (Gi0/0) shows "down" status despite the LED being green.

Feature Support

This section lists the supported and unsupported features.

All Supported Features

For the complete list of features supported on a platform, see the Cisco Feature Navigator.

Differences in Feature Support Between Switch Models

For the most part, the list of supported software features is common across Cisco Catalyst 9500, 9500 Series-High Performance, and 9500X Series Switches. However, the differences in the hardware and software capabilities between these variants, means that there are exceptions to this. The following sections list these exceptions, that is, when a feature is introduced, but not supported all PIDs.

For the list of Cisco Catalyst 9500, 9500 Series-High Performance, and 9500X Switches PIDs, see Supported Cisco Catalyst 9500 Series Switches Model Numbers.

BGP EVPN VXLAN

Feature

Not Supported On These Variants

Layer 2 Broadcast, Unknown Unicast, and Multicast (BUM) Traffic Forwarding using Ingress Replication

C9500X

BUM Traffic Rate Limiting

C9500X

Dynamic ARP inspection (DAI) and DHCP Rogue Server Protection

C9500X

EVPN VXLAN Centralized Default Gateway

C9500X

VXLAN-Aware Flexible Netflow

C9500X

MPLS Layer 3 VPN Border Leaf Handoff

C9500X

MPLS Layer 3 VPN Border Spine Handoff

C9500X

VPLS over MPLS Border Leaf Handoff

C9500X

VPLS over MPLS Border Spine Handoff

C9500X

Interworking of Layer 3 TRM with MVPN Networks for IPv4 Traffic

C9500X

Private VLANs (PVLANs)

C9500X

BGP EVPN VXLAN with IPv6 in the Underlay (VXLANv6)

C9500X

EVPN Microsegmentation

C9500X

VRF aware NAT64 EVPN Fabric

C9500X

Cisco TrustSec

Feature

Not Supported On These Variants

Cisco TrustSec Network Device Admission Control (NDAC) on Uplinks

C9500

Cisco TrustSec Security Association Protocol (SAP)

C9500X

Cisco TrustSec SGT Caching

C9500X

High Availability

Feature

Not Supported On These Variants

Graceful Insertion and Removal

C9500X

Secure StackWise Virtual

C9500X

Cisco Nonstop Forwarding with Stateful Switchover

C9500X

Interface and Hardware

Feature

Not Supported On These Variants

Link Debounce Timer

C9500

M2 SATA Module

C9500

EnergyWise

C9500, C9500H, C9500X

IP Addressing Services

Feature

Not Supported On These Variants

GRE Redirection

C9500

VRRPv3: Object Tracking Integration

C9500

GRE IPv6 Tunnels

C9500

HSRP and Switch Stack

C9500

HSRP Groups and Clustering

C9500

Next Hop Resolution Protocol (NHRP)

C9500X

Network Address Translation (NAT)

C9500X

Gateway Load Balancing Protocol (GLBP)

C9500X

Web Cache Communication Protocol (WCCP)

C9500X

Switchport Block Unknown Unicast and Switchport Block Unknown Multicast

C9500X

Message Session Relay Protocol (MSRP)

C9500X

TCP MSS Adjustment

C9500X

WCCP IPv4

C9500X

GRE IPv6 Tunnels

C9500X

IP Fast Reroute (IP FRR)

C9500X

Non-stop Routing

C9500X

IP Multicast Routing

Feature

Not Supported On These Variants

Unicast over Point-to-Multipoint (P2MP)

C9500

Generic Routing Encapsulation (GRE)

C9500

Multicast over P2MP GRE

C9500

IPv6 Multicast and IPv6 Multicast over Point-to-Point GRE

C9500H

Multicast Routing over GRE Tunnel

C9500X

Multicast VLAN Registration (MVR) for IGMP Snooping

C9500X

IPv6 Multicast over Point-to-Point GRE

C9500X

IGMP Proxy

C9500X

Bidirectional PIM

C9500X

Multicast VPN

C9500X

MVPNv6

C9500X

mVPN Extranet Support

C9500X

MLDP-Based VPN

C9500X

PIM Snooping

C9500X

PIM Dense Mode

C9500X

IP Routing

Feature

Not Supported On These Variants

PIM Bidirectional Forwarding Detection (PIM BFD), PIM Snooping

C9500, C9500X

Border Gateway Protocol (BGP) Additional Paths

C9500

OSPF NSR

C9500, C9500X

OSPFv3 NSR

C9500, C9500X

OSPFv2 Loop-Free Alternate IP Fast Reroute

C9500, C9500X

Unicast and Multicast over Point-to-Multipoint GRE

C9500H

BFD Multihop Support for IPv4 Static Routes

C9500H

EIGRP Loop-Free Alternate IP Fast Reroute

C9500X

Policy-Based Routing (PBR) for IPv6

C9500X

VRF-Aware PBR

C9500X

PBR for Object-Group Access Control List (OGACL) Based Matching

C9500X

Multipoint GRE

C9500X

Web Cache Communication Protocol (WCCP)

C9500X

Layer 2

Feature

Not Supported On These Variants

Audio Engineering Society: AES67 Timing Profile

C9500, C9500X

Q-in-Q on a Trunk Port

C9500, C9500X

Resilient Ethernet Protocol

C9500H, C9500X

Multi-VLAN Registration Protocol (MVRP)

C9500X

Loop Detection Guard

C9500X

Cross-Stack UplinkFast

C9500X

Optional Spanning Tree Protocol

C9500X

Precision Time Protocol (PTP)

C9500X

PTPv2 on Cisco StackWise Virtual

C9500X

Fast UniDirectional Link Detection

C9500X

UniDirectional Link Detection (UDLD)

C9500X

IEEE 802.1Q Tunneling

C9500X

One-to-One VLAN Mapping

C9500X

Selective Q-in-Q

C9500X

Audio Video Bridging (AVB): IEEE 802.1BA

C9500X

Flexlink+

C9500H, C9500X

VLAN Load Balancing for FlexLink+

C9500H, C9500X

Preemption for VLAN Load Balancing

C9500H, C9500X

FlexLink+ Dummy Multicast Packets

C9500H, C9500X

Multiprotocol Label Switching

Feature

Not Supported On These Variants

Hierarchical VPLS with MPLS Access

C9500

MPLS Label Distribution Protocol (MPLS LDP) VRF-Aware Static Labels

C9500H

VPLS Routed Pseudowire IRB(v4) Unicast

C9500H

LAN MACsec over Multiprotocol Label Switching (MPLS)

C9500X

BGP Multipath Load Sharing for Both eBGP and iBGP in an MPLS VPN

C9500X

MPLS over GRE

C9500X

MPLS Layer 2 VPN over GRE

C9500X

MPLS Layer 3 VPN over GRE

C9500X

Virtual Private LAN Service (VPLS)

C9500X

VPLS Autodiscovery, BGP-based

C9500X

VPLS Layer 2 Snooping: Internet Group Management Protocol or Multicast Listener Discovery

C9500X

Hierarchical VPLS with Multiprotocol Label Switching Access

C9500X

VPLS Routed Pseudowire IRB(v4) Unicast

C9500X

MPLS VPN Inter-AS Options (options B and AB)

C9500X

MPLS VPN Inter-AS IPv4 BGP Label Distribution

C9500X

Seamless Multiprotocol Label Switching

C9500X

Network Management

Feature

Not Supported On These Variants

Flexible NetFlow:

  • NetFlow v5 Export Protocol

  • 4-byte (32-bit) AS Number Support

  • TrustSec NetFlow IPv4 Security Group Access Control List (SGACL) Deny and Drop Export

  • C9500

  • C9500

  • C9500, C9500X

Cisco Application Visibility and Control (AVC)

C9500H, C9500X

ERSPAN

C9500X

Flow-Based Switch Port Analyser

C9500X

FRSPAN

C9500X

Egress Netflow

C9500X

IP Aware MPLS Netflow

C9500X

NetFlow Version 5

C9500X

Quality of Service

Feature

Not Supported On These Variants

Classification (Layer 3 Packet Length, Time-to-Live (TTL))

C9500

Per queue policer support

C9500

L2 Miss

C9500

QoS Ingress Shaping

C9500X

VPLS QoS

C9500X

Per VLAN Policy and Per Port Policer

C9500X

Mixed COS/DSCP Threshold in a QoS LAN-queueing Policy

C9500X

Easy QoS: match-all Attributes

C9500X

Classify: Packet Length

C9500X

Class-Based Shaping for DSCP/Prec/COS/MPLS Labels

C9500X

Egress Policing

C9500X

Egress Microflow Destination-Only Policing

C9500X

Ethertype Classification

C9500X

Packet Classification Based on Layer3 Packet-Length

C9500X

PACLs

C9500X

Per IP Session QoS

C9500X

Per Queue Policer

C9500X

QoS Data Export

C9500X

QoS L2 Missed Packets Policing

C9500X

Security

Feature

Not Supported On These Variants

Lawful Intercept

C9500, C9500X

Wake-on-LAN (WoL)

C9500H, C9500X

MACsec:

  • Switch-to-host MACsec

  • Cisco TrustSec Security Association Protocol

  • Fallback Key

  • MACsec EAP-TLS

C9500X

MAC ACLs

C9500X

Port ACLs

C9500X

VLAN ACLs

C9500X

IP Source Guard

C9500X

IPv6 Source Guard

C9500X

Web-based Authentication

C9500X

Port Security

C9500X

Weighted Random Early Detection mechanism (WRED) Based on DSCP, PREC, or COS

C9500X

IEEE 802.1x Port-Based Authentication

C9500X

Dynamic ARP Inspection

C9500X

Dynamic ARP Inspection Snooping

C9500X

System Management

Feature

Not Supported On These Variants

Network-Based Application Recognition (NBAR) and Next-Generation NBAR (NBAR2)

C9500H, C9500X

Unicast MAC Address Filtering

C9500X

VLAN

Feature

Not Supported On These Variants

QinQ VLAN Mapping

C9500

Wired Dynamic PVLAN

C9500X

Private VLANs

C9500X

Limitations and Restrictions

With Cisco Catalyst 9500 Series Switches and Cisco Catalyst 9500 Series Switches - High Performance: If a feature is not supported on a switch model, you do not have to factor in any limitations or restrictions that may be listed here. If limitations or restrictions are listed for a feature that is supported, check if model numbers are specified, to know if they apply. If model numbers are not specified, the limitations or restrictions apply to all models in the series.

  • Auto negotiation

    Auto negotiation (the speed auto command) and half duplex (the duplex half command) are not supported on GLC-T or GLC-TE transceivers for 10 Mbps and 100 Mbps speeds. This applies only to the C9500-48Y4C and C9500-24Y4C models of the series.

    We recommend not changing Forward Error Correction (FEC) when auto negotiation is ON. This is applicable to 100G/40G/25G CU cables on the C9500-32C, C9500-32QC, C9500-24Y4C and C9500-48Y4C models of the series.

  • Control Plane Policing (CoPP): The show running-config command does not display information about classes configured under system-cpp policy, when they are left at default values. Use the show policy-map system-cpp-policy or the show policy-map control-plane commands in privileged EXEC mode instead.

  • Cisco StackWise Virtual

    • On Cisco Catalyst 9500 Series Switches, when Cisco StackWise Virtual is configured, breakout ports using 4X10G breakout cables, or the Cisco QSFP to SFP or SFP+ Adapter (QSA) module can only be used as data ports; they cannot be used to configure StackWise Virtual links (SVLs) or dual-active detective (DAD) links.

    • On Cisco Catalyst 9500 Series Switches - High Performance,

      • When Cisco StackWise Virtual is configured, breakout ports using 4X25G or 4X10G breakout cables can only be used as data ports; they cannot be used to configure SVLs or DAD links.

      • When Cisco StackWise Virtual is configured, Cisco QSA module with 10G SFP modules can be used as data ports and to configure SVLs or DAD links.

      • When Cisco StackWise Virtual is configured, Cisco QSA module with 1G SFP modules can be used as data ports and to configure DAD links; they cannot be used to configure SVLs since SVLs are not supported on 1G interfaces.

  • Cisco TrustSec restrictions: Cisco TrustSec can be configured only on physical interfaces, not on logical interfaces.

  • Flexible NetFlow limitations

    • You cannot configure NetFlow export using the Ethernet Management port (GigabitEthernet0/0).

    • You can not configure a flow monitor on logical interfaces, such as layer 2 port-channels, loopback, tunnels.

    • You can not configure multiple flow monitors of same type (ipv4, ipv6 or datalink) on the same interface for same direction.

  • Hardware Limitations (Optics):

    • 1G with Cisco QSA Module (CVR-QSFP-SFP10G) is not supported on the uplink ports of the C9500-24Y4C and C9500-48Y4C models.

    • Installation restriction for SFP-10G-T-X module on C9500-24Y4C and C9500-48Y4C: Only eight SFP-10G-T-X modules are supported at a time. If you insert a ninth SFP-10G-T-X module in a lower numbered port than the existing active eight SFP-10G-T-X module, a reload will bring up the ninth transceiver and moves the last existing port with SFP-10G-T-X module to error disabled state. This happens due to the order of sequence ports link bring up where the lower numbered port brings up the link first. This limitation applies in standalone and in Cisco StackWise Virtual setup with two C9500-24Y4C or C9500-48Y4C switches. Each switch can have eight SFP-10G-T-X modules.

      The following error displays on the console if you insert a ninth module with eight active modules:

      “%IOMD_ETHER_GEIM-4-MAX_LIMIT_XCVR: R0/0: iomd: Number of SFP-10G-T-X that can be supported has reached the max limit of 8, transceiver is err-disabled. Unplug the transceiver in interface TwentyFiveGigE1/0/29

    • SFP-10G-T-X supports 100Mbps/1G/10G speeds based on auto negotiation with the peer device. You cannot force speed settings from the transceiver.

  • Hardware Limitations:

    • Use the MODE button to switch-off the beacon LED.

    • All port LED behavior is undefined until interfaces are fully initialized.

    • The following limitations apply to Cisco QSA Module (CVR-QSFP-SFP10G) when Cisco 1000Base-T Copper SFP (GLC-T) or Cisco 1G Fiber SFP Module for Multimode Fiber are plugged into the QSA module:

      • 1G Fiber modules over QSA do not support autonegotiation. Auto-negotiation should be disabled on the far-end devices.

      • Although visible in the CLI, the command [no] speed nonegotiate is not supported with 1G Fiber modules over QSA.

      • Only GLC-T over QSA supports auto-negotiation.

      • GLC-T supports only port speed of 1000 Mb/s over QSA. Port speeds of 10/100-Mb/s are not supported due to hardware limitation.

    • When you use Cisco QSFP-4SFP10G-CUxM Direct-Attach Copper Cables, autonegotiation is enabled by default. If the other end of the line does not support autonegotation, the link does not come up.

    • Autonegotiation is not supported on HundredGigabitEthernet1/0/49 to HundredGigabitEthernet1/0/52 uplink ports of the C9500-48Y4C models, and HundredGigabitEthernet1/0/25 to HundredGigabitEthernet1/0/28 uplink ports of the C9500-24Y4C models. Disable autonegotiation on the peer device if you are using QSFP-H40G-CUxx and QSFP-H40G-ACUxx cables.

    • For QSFP-H100G-CUxx cables, the C9500-48Y4C and C9500-24Y4C models support the cables only if both sides of the connection are either C9500-48Y4C or C9500-24Y4C.

    • For C9500-32C model, the power supply with serial number starting with POG has two fans and the power supply with serial number starting with QCS has a single fan. When you use show environment status command, the fan status of one fan is always displayed as N/A when the power supply with single fan is installed into the power supply slot. See Configuring Internal Power Supplies.

  • Interoperability limitations: When you use Cisco QSFP-4SFP10G-CUxM Direct-Attach Copper Cables, if one end of the 40G link is a Catalyst 9400 Series Switch and the other end is a Catalyst 9500 Series Switch, the link does not come up, or comes up on one side and stays down on the other. To avoid this interoperability issue between devices, apply the the speed nonegotiate command on the Catalyst 9500 Series Switch interface. This command disables autonegotiation and brings the link up. To restore autonegotiation, use the no speed nonegotiation command.

  • In-Service Software Upgrade (ISSU)

    • Within a major release train (16.x or 17.x or 18.x ), ISSU is supported between any two EMs that are released not more than 3 years apart.

    • Within a major release train, ISSU is supported from:

      • Any EM (EM1, EM2, EM3) to another EM (EM1, EM2, EM3)

        Example: 16.9.x to 16.12.x, 17.3.x to 17.6.x, 17.6.x to 17.9.x

      • Any release within the same EM

        Example: 16.9.2 to 16.9.3 or 16.9.4 or 16.9.x, 16.12.1 to 16.12.2 or 16.12.3 or 16.12.x, 17.3.1 to 17.3.2 or 17.3.3 or 17.3.x

    • Between major release trains, ISSU is not supported from:

      • An EM of a major release train to an EM of another major release train

        Example: 16.x.x to 17.x.x or 17.x.x to 18.x.x is not supported

      • An SM to EM or EM to SM

        Example: 16.10.x or 16.11.x to 16.12.x is not supported

    • ISSU is not supported on engineering special releases and .s (or similar) images.

    • ISSU is not supported between Licensed Data Payload Encryption (LDPE) and No Payload Encryption (NPE) Cisco IOS XE software images.

    • ISSU downgrades are not supported.

    • On Cisco Catalyst 9500 Series Switches - High Performance (C9500-24Y4C, C9500-32C, C9500-32QC, and C9500-48Y4C), ISSU with Cisco StackWise Virtual is supported only starting from Cisco IOS XE Gibraltar 16.12.1. Therefore, ISSU upgrades can be performed only starting from this release to a later release.

    • While ISSU allows you to perform upgrades with zero downtime, we recommend you to do so during a maintenance window only.

    • If a new feature introduced in a software release requires a change in configuration, the feature should not be enabled during ISSU.

    • If a feature is not available in the downgraded version of a software image, the feature should be disabled before initiating ISSU.

  • QoS restrictions

    The following restrictions apply to UADP-powered Catalyst 9500 and Catalyst 9500 High Performance models only.

    • When configuring QoS queuing policy, the sum of the queuing buffer should not exceed 100%.

    • Policing and marking policy on sub interfaces is supported.

    • Marking policy on switched virtual interfaces (SVI) is supported.

    • QoS policies are not supported for port-channel interfaces, tunnel interfaces, and other logical interfaces.

  • Secure Shell (SSH)

    • Use SSH Version 2. SSH Version 1 is not supported.

    • When the device is running SCP and SSH cryptographic operations, expect high CPU until the SCP read process is completed. SCP supports file transfers between hosts on a network and uses SSH for the transfer.

      Since SCP and SSH operations are currently not supported on the hardware crypto engine, running encryption and decryption process in software causes high CPU. The SCP and SSH processes can show as much as 40 or 50 percent CPU usage, but they do not cause the device to shutdown.

  • Smart Licensing Using Policy: Starting with Cisco IOS XE Amsterdam 17.3.2a, with the introduction of Smart Licensing Using Policy, even if you configure a hostname for a product instance or device, only the Unique Device Identifier (UDI) is displayed. This change in the display can be observed in all licensing utilities and user interfaces where the hostname was displayed in earlier releases. It does not affect any licensing functionality. There is no workaround for this limitation.

    The licensing utilities and user interfaces that are affected by this limitation include only the following: Cisco Smart Software Manager (CSSM), Cisco Smart License Utility (CSLU), and Smart Software Manager On-Prem (SSM On-Prem).

    This limitation is removed from Cisco IOS XE Cupertino 17.9.1. If you configure a hostname and disable hostname privacy (no license smart privacy hostname global configuration command), hostname information is sent from the product instance and displayed on the applicable user interfaces (CSSM, CSLU, SSM On-Prem). For more information, see the command reference for this release.

  • TACACS legacy command: Do not configure the legacy tacacs-server host command; this command is deprecated. If the software version running on your device is Cisco IOS XE Gibraltar 16.12.2 or a later release, using the legacy command can cause authentication failures. Use the tacacs server command in global configuration mode.

  • USB Authentication: When you connect a Cisco USB drive to the switch, the switch tries to authenticate the drive against an existing encrypted preshared key. Since the USB drive does not send a key for authentication, the following message is displayed on the console when you enter password encryption aes command:
    Device(config)# password encryption aes
Master key change notification called without new or old key

  • Catatyst 9000 Series Switches support MACsec switch-to-switch connections. We do not recommend configuring MACsec switch-to-host connections in an overlay network. For assistance with an existing switch-to-host MACsec implementation or a design review, contact your Cisco Sales Representative or Channel Partner.

  • VLAN Restriction: It is advisable to have well-defined segregation while defining data and voice domain during switch configuration and to maintain a data VLAN different from voice VLAN across the switch stack. If the same VLAN is configured for data and voice domains on an interface, the resulting high CPU utilization might affect the device.

  • Wired Application Visibility and Control limitations:

    • NBAR2 (QoS and Protocol-discovery) configuration is allowed only on wired physical ports. It is not supported on virtual interfaces, for example, VLAN, port channel nor other logical interfaces.

    • NBAR2 based match criteria ‘match protocol’ is allowed only with marking or policing actions. NBAR2 match criteria will not be allowed in a policy that has queuing features configured.

    • ‘Match Protocol’: up to 256 concurrent different protocols in all policies.

    • NBAR2 and Legacy NetFlow cannot be configured together at the same time on the same interface. However, NBAR2 and wired AVC Flexible NetFlow can be configured together on the same interface.

    • Only IPv4 unicast (TCP/UDP) is supported.

    • AVC is not supported on management port (Gig 0/0)

    • NBAR2 attachment should be done only on physical access ports. Uplink can be attached as long as it is a single uplink and is not part of a port channel.

    • Performance: Each switch member is able to handle 500 connections per second (CPS) at less than 50% CPU utilization. Above this rate, AVC service is not guaranteed.

    • Scale: Able to handle up to 5000 bi-directional flows per 24 access ports and 10000 bi-directional flows per 48 access ports.

  • YANG data modeling limitation: A maximum of 20 simultaneous NETCONF sessions are supported.

  • Embedded Event Manager: Identity event detector is not supported on Embedded Event Manager.

  • On the Cisco Catalyst 9500X Series Switches, TCAM space will not be reserved for different features. The available TCAM space will be shared across the features.

  • The File System Check (fsck) utility is not supported in install mode.

  • The command service-routing mdns-sd is being deprecated. Use the mdns-sd gateway command instead.

Licensing

This section provides information about the licensing packages for features available on Cisco Catalyst 9000 Series Switches.

License Levels

The software features available on Cisco Catalyst 9500 Series Switches and Cisco Catalyst 9500 Series Switches - High Performance fall under these base or add-on license levels.

Base Licenses

  • Network Essentials

  • Network Advantage—Includes features available with the Network Essentials license and more.

Add-On Licenses

Add-On Licenses require a Network Essentials or Network Advantage as a pre-requisite. The features available with add-on license levels provide Cisco innovations on the switch, as well as on the Cisco Catalyst Center.

  • DNA Essentials

  • DNA Advantage— Includes features available with the DNA Essentials license and more.

To find information about platform support and to know which license levels a feature is available with, use Cisco Feature Navigator. To access Cisco Feature Navigator, go to https://cfnng.cisco.com. An account on cisco.com is not required.

Usage Guidelines

This section provides the guidelines for license levels.

  • The duration or term for which a purchased license is valid:

    Smart Licensing Using Policy

    Smart Licensing

    • Perpetual: There is no expiration date for such a license.

    • Subscription: The license is valid only until a certain date (for a three, five, or seven year period).

    • Permanent: for a license level, and without an expiration date.

    • Term: for a license level, and for a three, five, or seven year period.

    • Evaluation: a license that is not registered.

  • Base licenses (Network Essentials and Network-Advantage) are ordered and fulfilled only with a perpetual or permanent license type.

  • Add-on licenses (DNA Essentials and DNA Advantage) are ordered and fulfilled only with a subscription or term license type.

  • An add-on license level is included when you choose a network license level. If you use DNA features, renew the license before term expiry, to continue using it, or deactivate the add-on license and then reload the switch to continue operating with the base license capabilities.

  • When ordering an add-on license with a base license, note the combinations that are permitted and those that are not permitted:

    Permitted Combinations

    DNA Essentials

    DNA Advantage

    Network Essentials

    Yes4

    No

    Network Advantage

    Yes5

    Yes
    4 C9500X-60L4D model does not have an essentials license combination.
    5 You will be able to purchase this combination only at the time of the DNA license renewal and not when you purchase DNA-Essentials the first time.

  • Evaluation licenses cannot be ordered. They are not tracked via Cisco Smart Software Manager and expire after a 90-day period. Evaluation licenses can be used only once on the switch and cannot be regenerated. Warning system messages about an evaluation license expiry are generated only 275 days after expiration and every week thereafter. An expired evaluation license cannot be reactivated after reload. This applies only to Smart Licensing. The notion of evaluation licenses does not apply to Smart Licensing Using Policy.

Available Licensing Models and Configuration Information

  • Cisco IOS XE Fuji 16.8.x and earlier: RTU Licensing is the default and the only supported method to manage licenses.

  • Cisco IOS XE Fuji 16.9.1 to Cisco IOS XE Amsterdam 17.3.1: Smart Licensing is the default and the only supported method to manage licenses.

     Note

    On the Cisco Catalyst 9500 Series Switches-High Performance, it is from Cisco IOS XE Fuji 16.8.1a to Cisco IOS XE Amsterdam 17.3.1.

    In the software configuration guide of the required release, see System Management → Configuring Smart Licensing.

  • Cisco IOS XE Amsterdam 17.3.2a and later: Smart Licensing Using Policy, which is an enhanced version of Smart Licensing, is the default and the only supported method to manage licenses.

    In the software configuration guide of the required release (17.3.x onwards), see System Management → Smart Licensing Using Policy.

For a more detailed overview on Cisco Licensing, go to cisco.com/go/licensingguide.

Switch Software Version Information

This section provides information about software, images, and ROMMON, and Field-Programmable Gate Array (FGPA) versions.

Finding the Software Version

The package files for the Cisco IOS XE software are stored on the system board flash device (flash:).

You can use the show version privileged EXEC command to see the software version that is running on your switch.

 Note
Although the show version output always shows the software image running on the switch, the model name shown at the end of this display is the factory configuration and does not change if you upgrade the software license.

You can also use the dir filesystem: privileged EXEC command to see the directory names of other software images that you might have stored in flash memory.

Finding the Software Images

Release

Image Type

File Name

Cisco IOS XE 17.15.1

CAT9K_IOSXE

cat9k_iosxe.17.15.01.SPA.bin

No Payload Encryption (NPE)

cat9k_iosxe_npe.17.15.01.SPA.bin

To download software images, visit the software downloads page: Cisco Catalyst 9500 Series Switches.

ROMMON Versions

ROMMON, also known as the boot loader, is firmware that runs when the device is powered up or reset. It initializes the processor hardware and boots the operating system software (Cisco IOS XE software image). The ROMMON is stored on the following Serial Peripheral Interface (SPI) flash devices on your switch:

  • Primary: The ROMMON stored here is the one the system boots every time the device is powered-on or reset.

  • Golden: The ROMMON stored here is a backup copy. If the one in the primary is corrupted, the system automatically boots the ROMMON in the golden SPI flash device.

ROMMON upgrades may be required to resolve firmware defects, or to support new features, but there may not be new versions with every release.

The following table provides ROMMON version information for the Cisco Catalyst 9500 Series Switches. For ROMMON version information of Cisco IOS XE 16.x.x releases, refer to the corresponding Cisco IOS XE 16.x.x release notes of the respective platform.

Release

ROMMON Version (C9500-12Q, C9500-24Q, C9500-16X, C9500-40X)

ROMMON Version (C9500-32C, C9500-32QC, C9500-24Y4C, C9500-48Y4C)

ROMMON Version (C9500X)

17.15.1

17.12.1r

17.8.1r[FC1]

17.11.1r

17.14.1

17.12.1r

17.8.1r[FC1]

17.11.1r

17.13.1

17.12.1r

17.8.1r[FC1]

17.11.1r

Dublin 17.12.4

17.12.1r

17.8.1r[FC1]

17.11.1r

Dublin 17.12.3

17.12.1r

17.8.1r[FC1]

17.11.1r

Dublin 17.12.2

17.12.1r

17.8.1r[FC1]

17.11.1r

Dublin 17.12.1

17.12.1r

17.8.1r[FC1]

17.11.1r

Dublin 17.11.1

17.11.1r[FC1]

17.8.1r[FC1]

17.11.1r

Dublin 17.10.1

17.10.1r

17.8.1r[FC1]

17.8.1r

Cupertino 17.9.6

17.9.2r

17.8.1r[FC1]

17.8.1r

Cupertino 17.9.4

17.9.2r

17.8.1r[FC1]

17.8.1r

Cupertino 17.9.3

17.9.2r

17.8.1r[FC1]

17.8.1r

Cupertino 17.9.2

17.9.1r

17.8.1r[FC1]

17.8.1r

Cupertino 17.9.1

17.9.1r

17.8.1r[FC1]

17.8.1r

Cupertino 17.8.1

17.8.1r

17.7.1r[FC3]

17.8.1r

Cupertino 17.7.1

17.6.1r[FC1]

17.6.1r

-

Bengaluru 17.6.7

17.6.1r[FC1]

17.6.1r

-

Bengaluru 17.6.6a

17.6.1r[FC1]

17.6.1r

-

Bengaluru 17.6.6

17.6.1r[FC1]

17.6.1r

-

Bengaluru 17.6.5

17.6.1r[FC1]

17.6.1r

-

Bengaluru 17.6.4

17.6.1r[FC1]

17.6.1r

-

Bengaluru 17.6.3

17.6.1r[FC1]

17.6.1r

-

Bengaluru 17.6.2

17.6.1r[FC1]

17.6.1r

-

Bengaluru 17.6.1

17.6.1r[FC1]

17.6.1r

-

Bengaluru 17.5.1

17.5.1r

17.3.1r[FC2]

-

Bengaluru 17.4.1

17.4.1r

17.3.1r[FC2]

-

Amsterdam 17.3.8a

17.3.1r[FC2]

17.3.1r[FC2]

-

Amsterdam 17.3.8

17.3.1r[FC2]

17.3.1r[FC2]

-

Amsterdam 17.3.7

17.3.1r[FC2]

17.3.1r[FC2]

-

Amsterdam 17.3.6

17.3.1r[FC2]

17.3.1r[FC2]

-

Amsterdam 17.3.5

17.3.1r[FC2]

17.3.1r[FC2]

-

Amsterdam 17.3.4

17.3.1r[FC2]

17.3.1r[FC2]

-

Amsterdam 17.3.3

17.3.1r[FC2]

17.3.1r[FC2]

-

Amsterdam 17.3.2a

17.3.1r[FC2]

17.3.1r[FC2]

-

Amsterdam 17.3.1

17.3.1r[FC2]

17.3.1r[FC2]

-

Amsterdam 17.2.1

17.2.1r[FC1]

17.1.1[FC2]

-

Amsterdam 17.1.1

17.1.1r [FC1]

17.1.1[FC1]

-

Field-Programmable Gate Array Version Upgrade

A field-programmable gate array (FPGA) is a type of programmable memory device that exists on Cisco switches. They are re-configurable logic circuits that enable the creation of specific and dedicated functions.

To check the current FPGA version, enter the version -v command in ROMMON mode. For Cisco Catalyst 9500X Series Switches, enter the show firmware version all command in privileged EXEC mode.

 Note

  • Not every software release has a change in the FPGA version.

  • The version change occurs as part of the regular software upgrade and you do not have to perform any other additional steps.

Upgrading and Downgrading the Switch Software

This section covers the various aspects of upgrading or downgrading the device software.

 Note
You cannot use the Web UI to install, upgrade, or downgrade device software.

Upgrading in Install Mode

Follow these instructions to upgrade from one release to another, using install commands, in install mode. To perform a software image upgrade, you must be booted into IOS through boot flash:packages.conf .

Before you begin

When upgrading from ...

Use these commands...

To upgrade to...

Cisco IOS XE Everest 16.5.1a or Cisco IOS XE Everest 16.6.1

Only request platform software commands

Cisco IOS XE 17.15.x

Cisco IOS XE Everest 16.6.2 and all later releases

On Cisco Catalyst 9500 Series Switches, either install commands or request platform software commands6.

On Cisco Catalyst 9500 Series Switches - High Performance, only install commands7.

6 The request platform software commands are deprecated. So although they are still visible on the CLI, we recommend that you use install commands.
7 Introduced in Cisco IOS XE Fuji 16.8.1a.

This procedure shows the steps to upgrade the Cisco IOS XE software on a switch, from Cisco IOS XE 17.14.1 to Cisco IOS XE 17.15.1 using install commands, followed by sample output.

Procedure

Step 1

Clean-up

install remove inactive

Use this command to clean-up old installation files in case of insufficient space and to ensure that you have at least 1GB of space in flash, to expand a new image.

Step 2

Copy new image to flash

  1. copy tftp:[[//location]/directory]/filenameflash:

    Use this command to copy the new image from a TFTP server to flash memory. The location is either an IP address or a host name. The filename is specified relative to the directory used for file transfers. Skip this step if you want to use the new image from a TFTP server.

  2. dir flash:

    Use this command to confirm that the image has been successfully copied to flash.

Step 3

Set boot variable

  1. boot system flash:packages.conf

    Use this command to set the boot variable to flash:packages.conf .

  2. no boot manual

    Use this command to configure the switch to auto-boot. Settings are synchronized with the standby switch, if applicable.

  3. write memory

    Use this command to save boot settings.

  4. show bootvar or show boot

    Use this command to verify the boot variable (packages.conf) and manual boot setting (no):

Step 4

Install image to flash

install add file activate commit

Use this command to install the image.

We recommend that you point to the source image on your TFTP server or the flash drive of the active switch, if you have copied the image to flash memory. If you point to an image on the flash or USB drive of a member switch (instead of the active), you must specify the exact flash or USB drive - otherwise installation fails. For example, if the image is on the flash drive of member switch 3 (flash-3): Switch# install add file flash-3:cat9k_iosxe.17.15.01.SPA.bin activate commit.

 Note
The system reloads automatically after executing the install add file activate commit command. You do not have to manually reload the system.

Step 5

Verify installation

After the software has been successfully installed, use the dir flash: command to verify that the flash partition has ten new .pkg files and two .conf files.

  1. dir flash:*.pkg

  2. dir flash:*.conf

Step 6

show version

After the image boots up, use this command to verify the version of the new image.

Example

The following sample output displays the cleaning up of unused files, by using the install remove inactive command:
Switch# install remove inactive

install_remove: START Mon Jul 22 19:51:48 UTC 2024
Cleaning up unnecessary package files
Scanning boot directory for packages ... done.
Preparing packages list to delete ...
    cat9k-cc_srdriver.17.14.01.SPA.pkg
      File is in use, will not delete.
    cat9k-espbase.17.14.01.SPA.pkg
      File is in use, will not delete.
    cat9k-guestshell.17.14.01.SPA.pkg
      File is in use, will not delete.
    cat9k-rpbase.17.14.01.SPA.pkg
      File is in use, will not delete.
    cat9k-rpboot.17.14.01.SPA.pkg
      File is in use, will not delete.
    cat9k-sipbase.17.14.01.SPA.pkg
      File is in use, will not delete.
    cat9k-sipspa.17.14.01.SPA.pkg
      File is in use, will not delete.
    cat9k-srdriver.17.14.01.SPA.pkg
      File is in use, will not delete.
    cat9k-webui.17.14.01.SPA.pkg
      File is in use, will not delete.
    cat9k-wlc.17.14.01.SPA.pkg
      File is in use, will not delete.
    packages.conf
      File is in use, will not delete.
  done.
The following files will be deleted:
[R0]:
/flash/cat9k-cc_srdriver.17.14.01.SPA.pkg
/flash/cat9k-espbase.17.14.01.SPA.pkg
/flash/cat9k-guestshell.17.14.01.SPA.pkg
/flash/cat9k-rpbase.17.14.01.SPA.pkg
/flash/cat9k-rpboot.17.14.01.SPA.pkg
/flash/cat9k-sipbase.17.14.01.SPA.pkg
/flash/cat9k-sipspa.17.14.01.SPA.pkg
/flash/cat9k-srdriver.17.14.01.SPA.pkg
/flash/cat9k-webui.17.14.01.SPA.pkg
/flash/cat9k-wlc.17.14.01.SPA.pkg
/flash/packages.conf
 
Do you want to remove the above files? [y/n]y
[R0]:
Deleting file flash:cat9k-cc_srdriver.17.14.01.SPA.pkg ... done.
Deleting file flash:cat9k-espbase.17.14.01.SPA.pkg ... done.
Deleting file flash:cat9k-guestshell.17.14.01.SPA.pkg ... done.
Deleting file flash:cat9k-rpbase.17.14.01.SPA.pkg ... done.
Deleting file flash:cat9k-rpboot.17.14.01.SPA.pkg ... done.
Deleting file flash:cat9k-sipbase.17.14.01.SPA.pkg ... done.
Deleting file flash:cat9k-sipspa.17.14.01.SPA.pkg ... done.
Deleting file flash:cat9k-srdriver.17.14.01.SPA.pkg ... done.
Deleting file flash:cat9k-webui.17.14.01.SPA.pkg ... done.
Deleting file flash:cat9k-wlc.17.14.01.SPA.pkg ... done.
Deleting file flash:packages.conf ... done.
SUCCESS: Files deleted.
--- Starting Post_Remove_Cleanup ---
Performing Post_Remove_Cleanup on all members
[1] Post_Remove_Cleanup package(s) on switch 1
[1] Finished Post_Remove_Cleanup on switch 1
Checking status of Post_Remove_Cleanup on [1]
Post_Remove_Cleanup: Passed on [1]
Finished Post_Remove_Cleanup
 
SUCCESS: install_remove Mon Jul 22 19:52:25 UTC 2024
Switch#

Switch# copy tftp://10.8.0.6/image/cat9k_iosxe.17.15.01.SPA.bin flash:
destination filename [cat9k_iosxe.17.15.01.SPA.bin]?
Accessing tftp://10.8.0.6/image/cat9k_iosxe.17.15.01.SPA.bin...
Loading /cat9k_iosxe.17.15.01.SPA.bin from 10.8.0.6 (via GigabitEthernet0/0): 
!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
[OK - 601216545 bytes]
 
601216545 bytes copied in 50.649 secs (11870255 bytes/sec)

Switch# dir flash:*.bin
Directory of flash:/*.bin
 
Directory of flash:/
 
434184 -rw- 601216545    Jul 22 2024 10:18:11 -07:00 cat9k_iosxe.17.15.01.SPA.bin
11353194496 bytes total (8976625664 bytes free)

Switch(config)# boot system flash:packages.conf

Switch(config)# no boot manual
Switch(config)# exit
Switch# write memory
Switch# show bootvar               <<on the C9500-24Y4C,C9500-32C, C9500-32QC, and C9500-48Y4C models
BOOT variable = bootflash:packages.conf
MANUAL_BOOT variable = no
BAUD variable = 9600
ENABLE_BREAK variable = yes
BOOTMODE variable does not exist
IPXE_TIMEOUT variable does not exist
CONFIG_FILE variable = 

Standby BOOT variable = bootflash:packages.conf
Standby MANUAL_BOOT variable = no
Standby BAUD variable = 9600
Standby ENABLE_BREAK variable = yes
Standby BOOTMODE variable does not exist
Standby IPXE_TIMEOUT variable does not exist
Standby CONFIG_FILE variable = 
Switch# show boot                        <<on the C9500-12Q,C9500-16X C9500-24Q, and C9500-40X models
Current Boot Variables:
BOOT variable = flash:packages.conf;

Boot Variables on next reload:
BOOT variable = flash:packages.conf;
Manual Boot = no
Enable Break = yes
Boot Mode = DEVICE
iPXE Timeout = 0
The following sample output displays installation of the Cisco IOS XE 17.15.1 software image in the flash memory: 
Switch# install add file flash:cat9k_iosxe.17.15.01.SPA.bin activate commit
install_add_activate_commit: Adding PACKAGE
install_add_activate_commit: Checking whether new add is allowed ....
--- Starting Add ---
Performing Add on Active/Standby
 [1] Add package(s) on R0
 [1] Finished Add on R0

Checking status of Add on [R0]
Add: Passed on [R0]
Finished Add

Image added. Version: 17.15.01

install_add_activate_commit: Activating PACKAGE
Following packages shall be activated:
/flash/cat9k-wlc.17.15.01.SPA.pkg
/flash/cat9k-webui.17.15.01.SPA.pkg
/flash/cat9k-srdriver.17.15.01.SPA.pkg
/flash/cat9k-sipspa.17.15.01.SPA.pkg
/flash/cat9k-sipbase.17.15.01.SPA.pkg
/flash/cat9k-rpboot.17.15.01.SPA.pkg
/flash/cat9k-rpbase.17.15.01.SPA.pkg
/flash/cat9k-guestshell.17.15.01.SPA.pkg
/flash/cat9k-espbase.17.15.01.SPA.pkg
/flash/cat9k-cc_srdriver.17.15.01.SPA.pkg

This operation may require a reload of the system. Do you want to proceed? [y/n] y

--- Starting Activate ---

Performing Activate on Active/Standby
[1] Activate package(s) on R0
    --- Starting list of software package changes ---
    Old files list:
      Removed cat9k-cc_srdriver.17.14.01.SPA.pkg
      Removed cat9k-espbase.17.14.01.SPA.pkg
      Removed cat9k-guestshell.17.14.01.SPA.pkg
      Removed cat9k-rpbase.17.14.01.SPA.pkg
      Removed cat9k-rpboot.17.14.01.SPA.pkg
      Removed cat9k-sipbase.17.14.01.SPA.pkg
      Removed cat9k-sipspa.17.14.01.SPA.pkg
      Removed cat9k-srdriver.17.14.01.SPA.pkg
      Removed cat9k-webui.17.14.01.SPA.pkg
      Removed cat9k-wlc.17.14.01.SPA.pkg
    New files list:
      Added cat9k-cc_srdriver.17.15.01.SSA.pkg
      Added cat9k-espbase.17.15.01.SSA.pkg
      Added cat9k-guestshell.17.15.01.SSA.pkg
      Added cat9k-lni.17.15.01.SSA.pkg
      Added cat9k-rpbase.17.15.01.SSA.pkg
      Added cat9k-rpboot.17.15.01.SSA.pkg
      Added cat9k-sipbase.17.15.01.SSA.pkg
      Added cat9k-sipspa.17.15.01.SSA.pkg
      Added cat9k-srdriver.17.15.01.SSA.pkg
      Added cat9k-webui.17.15.01.SSA.pkg
      Added cat9k-wlc.17.15.01.SSA.pkg
    Finished list of software package changes
  [1] Finished Activate on R0
Checking status of Activate on [R0]
Activate: Passed on [R0]
Finished Activate

--- Starting Commit ---
Performing Commit on Active/Standby
  [1] Commit package(s) on R0
  [1] Finished Commit on R0
Checking status of Commit on [R0]
Commit: Passed on [R0]
Finished Commit
Send model notification for install_add_activate_commit before reload
Install will reload the system now!
SUCCESS: install_add_activate_commit  Mon Jul 22 12:13:05 IST 2024

Switch#Jul 22 12:13:11.023: %PMANTACTION: F0/0vp: Process manager is exiting: n requested
Jul 22 12:13:11.028: %PMAN-5-EXITACTION: C1/0: pvp: Process manager is exiting: reload fru action requested
Jul 22 12:13:11.825: %PMAN-5-EXITACTION: R0/0: pvp: Process manager is exiting: reload action requested

Initializing Hardware...
System Bootstrap, Version 17.4.1r[FC2], RELEASE SOFTWARE (P)

Compiled 11-27-2024 12:00:00.00 by rel
Current ROMMON image : Primary Rommon Image
Last reset cause:LocalSoft
C9500-32QC platform with 16777216 Kbytes of main memory
Preparing to autoboot. [Press Ctrl-C to interrupt]  5     5     /-\|/-\|/-4     \|/-\|/-\|3     /-\|/-\|/-2     \|/-\|/-\|1     /-\|/-\|/-0     

boot: attempting to boot from [bootflash:packages.conf]

boot: reading file packages.conf
<output truncated>
The following is sample output of the dir flash:*.pkg command: 
Switch# dir flash:*.pkg
 
Directory of flash:/
475140 -rw- 2012104   Mar 20 2024 09:52:41 -07:00 cat9k-cc_srdriver.17.14.01.SPA.pkg
475141 -rw- 70333380  Mar 20 2024 09:52:44 -07:00 cat9k-espbase.17.14.01.SPA.pkg
475142 -rw- 13256     Mar 20 2024 09:52:44 -07:00 cat9k-guestshell.17.14.01.SPA.pkg
475143 -rw- 349635524 Mar 20 2024 09:52:54 -07:00 cat9k-rpbase.17.14.01.SPA.pkg
475149 -rw- 24248187  Mar 20 2024 09:53:02 -07:00 cat9k-rpboot.17.14.01.SPA.pkg
475144 -rw- 25285572  Mar 20 2024 09:52:55 -07:00 cat9k-sipbase.17.14.01.SPA.pkg
475145 -rw- 20947908  Mar 20 2024 09:52:55 -07:00 cat9k-sipspa.17.14.01.SPA.pkg
475146 -rw- 2962372   Mar 20 2024 09:52:56 -07:00 cat9k-srdriver.17.14.01.SPA.pkg
475147 -rw- 13284288  Mar 20 2024 09:52:56 -07:00 cat9k-webui.17.14.01.SPA.pkg
475148 -rw- 13248     Mar 20 2024 09:52:56 -07:00 cat9k-wlc.17.14.01.SPA.pkg

491524 -rw- 25711568  Jul 22 2024 11:49:33 -07:00 cat9k-cc_srdriver.17.15.01.SPA.pkg
491525 -rw- 78484428  Jul 22 2024 11:49:35 -07:00 cat9k-espbase.17.15.01.SPA.pkg
491526 -rw- 1598412   Jul 22 2024 11:49:35 -07:00 cat9k-guestshell.17.15.01.SPA.pkg
491527 -rw- 404153288 Jul 22 2024 11:49:47 -07:00 cat9k-rpbase.17.15.01.SPA.pkg
491533 -rw- 31657374  Jul 22 2024 11:50:09 -07:00 cat9k-rpboot.17.15.01.SPA.pkg
491528 -rw- 27681740  Jul 22 2024 11:49:48 -07:00 cat9k-sipbase.17.15.01.SPA.pkg
491529 -rw- 52224968  Jul 22 2024 11:49:49 -07:00 cat9k-sipspa.17.15.01.SPA.pkg
491530 -rw- 31130572  Jul 22 2024 11:49:50 -07:00 cat9k-srdriver.17.15.01.SPA.pkg
491531 -rw- 14783432  Jul 22 2024 11:49:51 -07:00 cat9k-webui.17.15.01.SPA.pkg
491532 -rw- 9160      Jul 22 2024 11:49:51 -07:00 cat9k-wlc.17.15.01.SPA.pkg
11353194496 bytes total (9544245248 bytes free)
Switch#

The following is sample output of the dir flash:*.conf command. It displays the .conf files in the flash partition; note the two .conf files:

  • packages.conf—the file that has been re-written with the newly installed .pkg files

  • cat9k_iosxe.17.15.01.SPA.conf—a backup copy of the newly installed packages.conf file 

Switch# dir flash:*.conf
 
Directory of flash:/*.conf
Directory of flash:/

434197 -rw- 7406 Jul 22 2024 10:59:16 -07:00 packages.conf
516098 -rw- 7406 Jul 22 2024 10:58:08 -07:00 cat9k_iosxe.17.15.01.SPA.conf
11353194496 bytes total (8963174400 bytes free)
The following sample output of the show version command displays the Cisco IOS XE 17.15.1 image on the device:
Switch# show version

Cisco IOS XE Software, Version 17.15.01
Cisco IOS Software, Catalyst L3 Switch Software (CAT9K_IOSXE), Version 17.15.1, RELEASE SOFTWARE (fc2)
Technical Support: http://www.cisco.com/techsupport
Copyright (c) 1986-2024 by Cisco Systems, Inc.
<output truncated>

Downgrading in Install Mode

Follow these instructions to downgrade from one release to another, in install mode.

Before you begin

Note that you can use this procedure for the following downgrade scenarios:

When downgrading from ...

Use these commands...

To downgrade to...

Cisco IOS XE 17.15.x

  • On Cisco Catalyst 9500 Series Switches, either install commands or request platform software commands8.

  • On Cisco Catalyst 9500 Series Switches - High Performance, only install commands

Cisco IOS XE 17.14.x or earlier releases.

8 The request platform software commands are deprecated. So although they are still visible on the CLI, we recommend that you use install commands.
 Note
New switch models that are introduced in a release cannot be downgraded. The release in which a switch model is introduced is the minimum software version for that model.

This procedure shows the steps to downgrade the Cisco IOS XE software on a switch, from Cisco IOS XE 17.15.1 to Cisco IOS XE 17.14.1 using install commands, followed by sample output.

Procedure

Step 1

Clean-up

install remove inactive

Use this command to clean-up old installation files in case of insufficient space and to ensure that you have at least 1GB of space in flash, to expand a new image.

Step 2

Copy new image to flash

  1. copy tftp:[[//location]/directory]/filenameflash:

    Use this command to copy the new image from a TFTP server to flash memory. The location is either an IP address or a host name. The filename is specified relative to the directory used for file transfers. Skip this step if you want to use the new image from a TFTP server.

  2. dir flash:

    Use this command to confirm that the image has been successfully copied to flash.

Step 3

Set boot variable

  1. boot system flash:packages.conf

    Use this command to set the boot variable to flash:packages.conf .

  2. no boot manual

    Use this command to configure the switch to auto-boot. Settings are synchronized with the standby switch, if applicable.

  3. write memory

    Use this command to save boot settings.

  4. show bootvar or show boot

    Use this command to verify the boot variable (packages.conf) and manual boot setting (no):

Step 4

Downgrade software image

install add file activate commit

Use this command to install the image.

We recommend that you point to the source image on your TFTP server or the flash drive of the active switch, if you have copied the image to flash memory. If you point to an image on the flash or USB drive of a member switch (instead of the active), you must specify the exact flash or USB drive - otherwise installation fails. For example, if the image is on the flash drive of member switch 3 (flash-3): Switch# install add file flash-3:cat9k_iosxe.17.14.01.SPA.bin activate commit.

 Note
The system reloads automatically after executing the install add file activate commit command. You do not have to manually reload the system.

Step 5

Verify version

show version

After the image boots up, use this command to verify the version of the new image.

 Note
When you downgrade the software image, the ROMMON version does not downgrade. It remains updated.

Example

The following sample output displays the cleaning up of unused files, by using the install remove inactive command:
Switch# install remove inactive
 install_remove: START Mon Jul 22 11:42:27 IST 2024

Cleaning up unnecessary package files

No path specified, will use booted path bootflash:packages.conf

Cleaning bootflash:
  Scanning boot directory for packages ... done.
  Preparing packages list to delete ... 
    cat9k-cc_srdriver.17.15.01.SSA.pkg
      File is in use, will not delete.
    cat9k-espbase.17.15.01.SSA.pkg
      File is in use, will not delete.
    cat9k-guestshell.17.15.01.SSA.pkg
      File is in use, will not delete.
    cat9k-rpbase.17.15.01.SSA.pkg
      File is in use, will not delete.
    cat9k-rpboot.17.15.01.SSA.pkg
      File is in use, will not delete.
    cat9k-sipbase.17.15.01.SSA.pkg
      File is in use, will not delete.
    cat9k-sipspa.17.15.01.SSA.pkg
      File is in use, will not delete.
    cat9k-srdriver.17.15.01.SSA.pkg
      File is in use, will not delete.
    cat9k-webui.17.15.01.SSA.pkg
      File is in use, will not delete.
    cat9k-wlc.17.15.01.SSA.pkg
      File is in use, will not delete.
    packages.conf
      File is in use, will not delete.
  done.
SUCCESS: No extra package or provisioning files found on media. Nothing to clean.

SUCCESS: install_remove  Mon Jul 22 11:42:39 IST 2024

Switch# copy tftp://10.8.0.6/image/cat9k_iosxe.17.14.01.SPA.bin flash:
Destination filename [cat9k_iosxe.17.14.01.SPA.bin]?
Accessing tftp://10.8.0.6//cat9k_iosxe.17.14.01.SPA.bin...
Loading /cat9k_iosxe.17.14.01.SPA.bin from 10.8.0.6 (via GigabitEthernet0/0): 
!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
[OK - 508584771 bytes]
508584771 bytes copied in 101.005 secs (5035244 bytes/sec)
 

Switch# dir flash:*.bin
Directory of flash:/*.bin
 
Directory of flash:/
 
434184 -rw- 508584771 Jul 22 2024 13:35:16 -07:00 cat9k_iosxe.17.14.01.SPA.bin
11353194496 bytes total (9055866880 bytes free)


Switch(config)# boot system flash:packages.conf

Switch(config)# no boot manual
Switch(config)# exit
Switch# write memory
Switch# show bootvar               <<on the C9500-24Y4C,C9500-32C, C9500-32QC, and C9500-48Y4C models
BOOT variable = bootflash:packages.conf
MANUAL_BOOT variable = no
BAUD variable = 9600
ENABLE_BREAK variable = yes
BOOTMODE variable does not exist
IPXE_TIMEOUT variable does not exist
CONFIG_FILE variable = 

Standby BOOT variable = bootflash:packages.conf
Standby MANUAL_BOOT variable = no
Standby BAUD variable = 9600
Standby ENABLE_BREAK variable = yes
Standby BOOTMODE variable does not exist
Standby IPXE_TIMEOUT variable does not exist
Standby CONFIG_FILE variable = 
Switch# show boot                        <<on the C9500-12Q,C9500-16X C9500-24Q, and C9500-40X models
Current Boot Variables:
BOOT variable = flash:packages.conf;

Boot Variables on next reload:
BOOT variable = flash:packages.conf;
Manual Boot = no
Enable Break = yes
Boot Mode = DEVICE
iPXE Timeout = 0
The following example displays the installation of the Cisco IOS XE 17.14.1 software image to flash, by using the install add file activate commit command. 
Switch# install add file flash:cat9k_iosxe.17.14.01.SPA.bin activate commit
install_add_activate_commit: Adding PACKAGE
install_add_activate_commit: Checking whether new add is allowed ....
--- Starting Add ---
Performing Add on Active/Standby
[1] Add package(s) on R0
[1] Finished Add on R0
Checking status of Add on [R0]
Add: Passed on [R0]
Finished Add
Image added. Version: 17.14.01.0.269
install_add_activate_commit: Activating PACKAGE

Following packages shall be activated:
/flash/cat9k-wlc.17.14.01.SPA.pkg
/flash/cat9k-webui.17.14.01.SPA.pkg
/flash/cat9k-srdriver.17.14.01.SPA.pkg
/flash/cat9k-sipspa.17.14.01.SPA.pkg
/flash/cat9k-sipbase.17.14.01.SPA.pkg
/flash/cat9k-rpboot.17.14.01.SPA.pkg
/flash/cat9k-rpbase.17.14.01.SPA.pkg
/flash/cat9k-guestshell.17.14.01.SPA.pkg
/flash/cat9k-espbase.17.14.01.SPA.pkg
/flash/cat9k-cc_srdriver.17.14.01.SPA.pkg

This operation may require a reload of the system. Do you want to proceed? [y/n] y


Performing Activate on Active/Standby
1] Activate package(s) on R0
    --- Starting list of software package changes ---
    Old files list:
      Removed cat9k-cc_srdriver.17.15.01.SSA.pkg
      Removed cat9k-espbase.17.15.01.SSA.pkg
      Removed cat9k-guestshell.17.15.01.SSA.pkg
      Removed cat9k-lni.17.15.01.SSA.pkg
      Removed cat9k-rpbase.17.15.01.SSA.pkg
      Removed cat9k-rpboot.17.15.01.SSA.pkg
      Removed cat9k-sipbase.17.15.01.SSA.pkg
      Removed cat9k-sipspa.17.15.01.SSA.pkg
      Removed cat9k-srdriver.17.15.01.SSA.pkg
      Removed cat9k-webui.17.15.01.SSA.pkg
      Removed cat9k-wlc.17.15.01.SSA.pkg
    New files list:
      Added cat9k-cc_srdriver.17.14.01.SPA.pkg
      Added cat9k-espbase.17.14.01.SPA.pkg
      Added cat9k-guestshell.17.14.01.SPA.pkg
      Added cat9k-rpbase.17.14.01.SPA.pkg
      Added cat9k-rpboot.17.14.01.SPA.pkg
      Added cat9k-sipbase.17.14.01.SPA.pkg
      Added cat9k-sipspa.17.14.01.SPA.pkg
      Added cat9k-srdriver.17.14.01.SPA.pkg
      Added cat9k-webui.17.14.01.SPA.pkg
      Added cat9k-wlc.17.14.01.SPA.pkg
    Finished list of software package changes
  [1] Finished Activate on R0
Checking status of Activate on [R0]
Activate: Passed on [R0]
Finished Activate

--- Starting Commit ---
Performing Commit on Active/Standby
 [1] Commit package(s) on R0
 [1] Finished Commit on R0
Checking status of Commit on [R0]
Commit: Passed on [R0]
Finished Commit

Send model notification for install_add_activate_commit before reload
Install will reload the system now!
SUCCESS: install_add_activate_commit  Mon Jul 22 11:51:01 IST 2024

Jul 22 11:51:07.505: %PMANTvp: Process manager is exiting: ren requested
Jul 22 11:51:07.505: %PMAN-5-EXITACTION: F0/0: pvp: Process manager is exiting: reload fru action requested
Jul 22 11:51:07.834: %PMAN-5-EXITACTION: R0/0: pvp: Process manager is exiting: reload action requested

Initializing Hardware...

System Bootstrap, Version 17.3.1r[FC2], RELEASE SOFTWARE (P)
Compiled 30-03-2024 12:00:00.00 by rel
Current ROMMON image : Primary Rommon Image

Last reset cause:LocalSoft
C9500-32QC platform with 16777216 Kbytes of main memory
Preparing to autoboot. [Press Ctrl-C to interrupt]  5     5     /-\|/-\|/-4     \|/-\|/-\|3     /-\|/-\|/-2     \|/-\|/-\|1     /-\|/-\|/-0     
boot: attempting to boot from [bootflash:packages.conf]
boot: reading file packages.conf

<output truncated>
The following sample output of the show version command displays the Cisco IOS XE 17.14.1 image on the device:
Switch# show version
Cisco IOS XE Software, Version 17.14.01
Cisco IOS Software [Dublin], Catalyst L3 Switch Software (CAT9K_IOSXE), Version 17.14.1, RELEASE SOFTWARE (fc1)
Technical Support: http://www.cisco.com/techsupport
Copyright (c) 1986-2024 by Cisco Systems, Inc.
<output truncated>

Upgrading the ROMMON

To know the ROMMON or bootloader version that applies to every major and maintenance release, see ROMMON Versions.

You can upgrade the ROMMON before, or, after upgrading the software version. If a new ROMMON version is available for the software version you are upgrading to, proceed as follows:

  • Upgrading the ROMMON in the primary SPI flash device

    This ROMMON is upgraded automatically. When you upgrade from an existing release on your switch to a later or newer release for the first time, and there is a new ROMMON version in the new release, the system automatically upgrades the ROMMON in the primary SPI flash device, based on the hardware version of the switch.

  • Upgrading the ROMMON in the golden SPI flash device

    You must manually upgrade this ROMMON. The manual upgrade applies to all models in the series. Enter the upgrade rom-monitor capsule golden switch command in privileged EXEC mode.

     Note

    • In case of a Cisco StackWise Virtual setup, upgrade the active and standby switch.

After the ROMMON is upgraded, it will take effect on the next reload. If you go back to an older release after this, the ROMMON is not downgraded. The updated ROMMON supports all previous releases.

In-Service Software Upgrade with Cisco Stackwise Virtual

In-Service Software Upgrade (ISSU) is a process that upgrades an image to another image on a device while the network continues to forward packets. ISSU helps network administrators avoid a network outage when performing a software upgrade. ISSU is supported in install mode.

ISSU is supported in dual SUP HA and StackWise Virtual system. In-Service Software Upgrade is performed either in a single step or in three-steps.

ISSU Support between Releases

  • Within a major release train (16.x or 17.x or 18.x ), ISSU is supported between any two Extended Maintenance (EM) releases that are released not more than 3 years apart.

  • Within a major release train, ISSU is supported from:

    • Any EM (EM1, EM2, EM3) release to another EM (EM1, EM2, EM3) release

      Example:

      16.9.x to 16.12,

      17.3.x to 17.6.x, 17.3.x to 17.9.x, 17.3.x to 17.12.x and so on

      17.6.x to 17.9.x, 17.6.x to 17.12.x, 17.6.x to 17.15.x and so on

      17.9.x to 17.12.x, 17.9.x to 17.15.x and so on

    • Any release within the same EM release

      Example:

      16.9.2 to 16.9.3 or 16.9.4 or 16.9.x

      16.12.1 to 16.12.2 or 16.12.3 or 16.12.x

      17.3.1 to 17.3.2 or 17.3.3 or 17.3.x

  • ISSU Recommendation: From any EM recommended release on CCO to current EM Recommended release on CCO.

See In-Service Software Upgrade (ISSU) for information on ISSU support for Catalyst platforms and Software Lifecycle Support Statement for information extended and standard maintenance releases.

Related Content

This section provides links to the product documentation and troubleshooting information.

Troubleshooting

For the most up-to-date, detailed troubleshooting information, see the Cisco TAC website at Support & Downloads.

Go to Product Support and select your product from the list or enter the name of your product. Look under Troubleshoot and Alerts, to find information for the problem that you are experiencing.

Accessing Hidden Commands

Starting with Cisco IOS XE Fuji 16.8.1a, as an improved security measure, the way in which hidden commands can be accessed has changed.

Hidden commands have always been present in Cisco IOS XE, but were not equipped with CLI help. That is, entering a question mark (?) at the system prompt did not display the list of available commands. These commands were only meant to assist Cisco TAC in advanced troubleshooting and were not documented either.

Starting with Cisco IOS XE Fuji 16.8.1a, hidden commands are available under:

  • Category 1—Hidden commands in privileged or User EXEC mode. Begin by entering the service internal command to access these commands.

  • Category 2—Hidden commands in one of the configuration modes (global, interface and so on). These commands do not require the service internal command.

Further, the following applies to hidden commands under Category 1 and 2:

  • The commands have CLI help. Enter enter a question mark (?) at the system prompt to display the list of available commands.

    Note: For Category 1, enter the service internal command before you enter the question mark; you do not have to do this for Category 2.

  • The system generates a %PARSER-5-HIDDEN syslog message when a hidden command is used. For example: 
    *Feb 14 10:44:37.917: %PARSER-5-HIDDEN: Warning!!! 'show processes memory old-header ' is a hidden command. 
Use of this command is not recommended/supported and will be removed in future.

Apart from category 1 and 2, there remain internal commands displayed on the CLI, for which the system does NOT generate the %PARSER-5-HIDDEN syslog message.

 Important

We recommend that you use any hidden command only under TAC supervision.

If you find that you are using a hidden command, open a TAC case for help with finding another way of collecting the same information as the hidden command (for a hidden EXEC mode command), or to configure the same functionality (for a hidden configuration mode command) using non-hidden commands.

Communications, Services, and Additional Information

  • To receive timely, relevant information from Cisco, sign up at Cisco Profile Manager.

  • To get the business impact you’re looking for with the technologies that matter, visit Cisco Services.

  • To submit a service request, visit Cisco Support.

  • To discover and browse secure, validated enterprise-class apps, products, solutions and services, visit Cisco DevNet.

  • To obtain general networking, training, and certification titles, visit Cisco Press.

  • To find warranty information for a specific product or product family, access Cisco Warranty Finder.

Cisco Bug Search Tool

Cisco Bug Search Tool (BST) is a web-based tool that acts as a gateway to the Cisco bug tracking system that maintains a comprehensive list of defects and vulnerabilities in Cisco products and software. BST provides you with detailed defect information about your products and software.