Nexus 9000

ACI/N9K – How to convert a Nexus 9000 from NX-OS to ACI

Posted on by richardstrnad 5 Comments

Some time ago i posted how to convert a ACI switch to NX-OS, now the other way around.

Copy the file to the NX-OS Mode N9k

switch# copy scp: bootflash:
Enter source filename: Downloads/aci-n9000-dk9.12.2.1o.bin
Enter vrf (If no input, current vrf 'default' is considered): management
Enter hostname for the scp server: 192.168.0.5
Enter username: USER
Password:
aci-n9000-dk9.12.2.1o.bin                       1%   15MB   3.8MB/s   04:34 ETA

Change the boot mode to aci

switch(config)# boot aci bootflash:///aci-n9000-dk9.12.2.1o.bin
Warning: Please check list of all ACI supported hardware before doing this operation, not all hardware are supported.
Warning: Booting to an ACI image will remove all nxos configuration and format bootflash. Do you want to continue (y/n)?[n] y
Performing image verification and compatibility check, please wait....

Image verification successful.

That’s it, just boot the switch and you can join the fabric 🙂
Be aware that the first reload can take quite some time! (15minutes+)

switch# reload
!!!WARNING! there is unsaved configuration!!!
This command will reboot the system. (y/n)?  [n] y

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

Posted on by richardstrnad 4 Comments

Get the standalone software here

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

admin@apic1:~> scp richy@YOURIP: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)

admin@apic1:~> scp nxos.7.0.3.I2.2a.bin admin@leaf02: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.

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!

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

Also save the config!

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 ;-))

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!

Cisco ACI – Upgrade your ACI Fabric (1.0(2j) to 1.0(3f))

Posted on by richardstrnad 8 Comments

I did a upgrade of our ACI Lab Fabric last week and documented all the steps. The upgrade is really straightforward, but hopefully this guide still helps you 🙂

First you have to catch the desired Software, get them directly from cisco. You need APIC Release image for 1.0(3f) release (aci-apic-dk9.1.0.3f.iso) and the Cisco Nexus 9000 Series ACI Mode Switch Software Release 11.0(3f) (aci-n9000-dk9.11.0.3f.bin). Get them here:
Cisco ACI Version 1.0(3f)

I always check the MD5 sum, just to be sure that everything went right with my download.

$ md5 aci-apic-dk9.1.0.3f.iso
MD5 (aci-apic-dk9.1.0.3f.iso) = 6e747378ec4225ead0f27cb23aa54f02
Cisco ACI 1.0(3f) MD5 Hash

Cisco ACI 1.0(3f) MD5 Hash

The MD5 hash looks right. Check the same for the Nexus 9000 Image!

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