ACI/N9K – How to convert a Nexus 9000 from ACI Mode to NX-OS (Standalone)

Get the standalone software here

First you have to copy the new nexus 9000 standalone firmware to the APIC:

1
2


[email protected]:~> scp [email protected]:Downloads/nxos.7.0.3.I2.2a.bin .
nxos.7.0.3.I2.2a.bin                          100%  513MB   9.2MB/s   00:56

And now you can push it to the appropriate Nexus 9000. (The user/password matches the APIC)

1
2
3


[email protected]:~> scp nxos.7.0.3.I2.2a.bin [email protected]:bootflash
Password:
nxos.7.0.3.I2.2a.bin                          100%  513MB   7.0MB/s   01:13

Now reboot the switch and break into the load prompt, this can be done with Control+C in Putty.

1
2


loader >
loader > boot nxos.7.0.3.I2.2a.bin

After the switch is booted up you got the default prompts (POAP, Secure Admin PW, etc..) When you finaliy reach the CLI you have to Set the Boot Path!

1
2


switch(config)# boot nxos bootflash:///nxos.7.0.3.I2.2a.bin
Performing image verification and compatibility check, please wait....

Also save the config!

1
2
3


switch# copy running-config startup-config
[########################################] 100%
Copy complete.

Now is time to verify that everything is fine with the new image (should, as it already booted ;-))

 1
 2
 3
 4
 5
 6
 7
 8
 9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
31
32


switch# show boot
Current Boot Variables:

sup-1
NXOS variable = bootflash:/nxos.7.0.3.I2.2a.bin <---- Good
No module boot variable set

Boot Variables on next reload:

sup-1
NXOS variable = bootflash:/nxos.7.0.3.I2.2a.bin <---- Good
No module boot variable set


switch# show install all impact

.
.
.

Compatibility check is done:
Module  bootable          Impact  Install-type  Reason
------  --------  --------------  ------------  ------
     1       yes  non-disruptive          none



Images will be upgraded according to following table:
Module       Image                  Running-Version(pri:alt)           New-Version  Upg-Required
------  ----------  ----------------------------------------  --------------------  ------------
     1        nxos                              7.0(3)I2(2a)          7.0(3)I2(2a)            no
     1        bios     v07.41(10/12/2015):v07.17(09/10/2014)    v07.34(08/11/2015)            no

That’s it, make a final boot and your switch is now ACI-Free!
Maybe there is the time you want to go back to ACI, check out my new post!