Scenario:
Make: Dell Switches
Model: N4032, N4032F, N2048, N4064, N4064F, etc
Mode: CLI (Command Line Interface)
Description: In this article, we will discuss the step-wise method to upgrade the firmware of the Dell switch stack. We will use Command Line Interface here. Follow the article for Dell N4000 Series Standalone Switch Firmware Upgrade.
Step1: TFTP Server
A TFTP server must be on the network and the switch software must be accessible to the TFTP server before attempting to download the switch software by TFTP. Download the TFTP server using the link attached below if you do not have one.
http://tftpd32.jounin.net/tftpd32_download.htmlStep2: Access Of The Switch
Access the master switch of the switch stack and ensure the TFTP server and switch both can ping each other.
Step3: Configuration Back-Up
It is always recommended and important to take the back up of the current running configuration before starting the to upgrade to counter the situation if anything goes wrong.
edledge-switch#copy running-config tftp://10.1.1.2/myconfig.txt
Transfer Mode.................................. TFTP
Server IP Address.............................. 10.1.1.2
Destination File Path.......................... ./
Destination Filename........................... myconfig.txt
Data Type...................................... Config Script
Source Filename................................ running-config
Management access will be blocked for the duration of the transfer
Are you sure you want to start? (y/n) y
5245 bytes transferred
File transfer operation completed successfully.
Step4: Enable Password
Set enable password if it is not set yet. It is not required if any other alternative mode of authentication is already configured. Do not forget to save the configuration when you set the enable password.
edledge-switch#configure
edledge-switch(config)# enable password edledge
edledge-switch(config)# exit
edledge-switch# copy running-config startup-config
Step5: Image Transfer
Now transfer the image using TFTP server from local host or laptop to the switch.
edledge-switch#copy tftp://10.1.1.2/N4000v6.5.4.12.stk backup
Transfer Mode.................................. TFTP
Server IP Address.............................. 10.1.1.2
Source File Path............................... ./
Source Filename................................ N4000v6.5.4.12.stk
Data Type...................................... Code
Destination Filename........................... backup
Management access will be blocked for the duration of the transfer
Are you sure you want to start? (y/n) y
TFTP Code transfer starting...
31954590 bytes transferred...
File contents are valid. Copying file to flash...
Attempting to send the STK file to other units in the stack...
File transfer operation completed successfully.
Note: It is always recommended to upload the new image as backup and then activate the new image in the next reload. We can upload the image as an active image as well.
Step6: New Image Status
Check the status of the image on the switch after upload.
edledge-switch#show version
Machine Description............... Dell Networking Switch
System Model ID................... N4032F
Machine Type...................... Dell Networking N4032F
Serial Number..................... EDL282982984982920529840
Manufacturer...................... 0xbc00
Burned In MAC Address............. F8B1.F8B1.F8B1
System Object ID.................. 1.3.6.1.4.1.674.10895.3044
CPU Version....................... XLP308H-A1
SOC Version....................... BCM56846_A1
HW Version........................ 3
CPLD Version...................... 17
unit active backup current-active next-active
---- ----------- ----------- -------------- --------------
1 6.3.3.14 6.5.4.12 6.3.3.14 6.3.3.14
2 6.3.3.14 6.5.4.12 6.3.3.14 6.3.3.14
3 6.3.3.14 6.5.4.12 6.3.3.14 6.3.3.14
Step7: Activate Image
Since we have uploaded the image as a backup image. We would now need to execute the command to make the newly uploaded image active.
edledge-switch#boot system backup
Activating image backup ..
Step8: Confirm Image Activation
Check and confirm that the new Image is activated and the switch stack will load with the new image in the next reload.
edledge-switch#show version
Machine Description............... Dell Networking Switch
System Model ID................... N4032F
Machine Type...................... Dell Networking N4032F
Serial Number..................... EDL282982984982920529840
Manufacturer...................... 0xbc00
Burned In MAC Address............. F8B1.F8B1.F8B1
System Object ID.................. 1.3.6.1.4.1.674.10895.3044
CPU Version....................... XLP308H-A1
SOC Version....................... BCM56846_A1
HW Version........................ 3
CPLD Version...................... 17
unit active backup current-active next-active
---- ----------- ----------- -------------- --------------
1 6.3.3.14 6.5.4.12 6.3.3.14 6.5.4.12
2 6.3.3.14 6.5.4.12 6.3.3.14 6.5.4.12
3 6.3.3.14 6.5.4.12 6.3.3.14 6.5.4.12
Step9: Reload
The newly uploaded image is now activated. Reload the switch to implement the change.
edledge-switch#reload
Management switch has unsaved changes.
Are you sure you want to continue? (y/n) y
Configuration Not Saved!
Are you sure you want to reload the stack? (y/n) y
Step10: Upgrade Confirmation
After the switch has finished rebooting, log in and verify the firmware upgrade status.
edledge-switch#show version
Machine Description............... Dell Networking Switch
System Model ID................... N4032F
Machine Type...................... Dell Networking N4032F
Serial Number..................... EDL282982984982920529840
Manufacturer...................... 0xbc00
Burned In MAC Address............. F8B1.F8B1.F8B1
System Object ID.................. 1.3.6.1.4.1.674.10895.3044
CPU Version....................... XLP308H-A1
SOC Version....................... BCM56846_A1
HW Version........................ 3
CPLD Version...................... 17
unit active backup current-active next-active
---- ----------- ----------- -------------- --------------
1 6.5.4.12 6.3.3.14 6.5.4.12 6.5.4.12
2 6.5.4.12 6.3.3.14 6.5.4.12 6.5.4.12
3 6.5.4.12 6.3.3.14 6.5.4.12 6.5.4.12
The switch stack is upgraded to new firmware and all set to use. Above in step 4, it is mentioned to set the enable password. If somehow, unfortunately, you do not have the enable password then Reset Forgotten Dell Switch Password to log in again into the switch. Also If you are looking to configure radius authentication on the switch then refer to the articles Radius Failover Configuration On Dell Switch and Radius Configuration On Cisco Switch for Cisco Switches.
Source: Dell, Lab, Knowledge Base
EA00056