This procedure details how to upgrade a Cisco Nexus switch using a USB drive and the install all method which performs pre-checks, image verification, install staging, and automatic reload for a clean, validated upgrade.
Step 1: Insert USB & Verify File
LEAF-101# dir usb1: 16384 Jan 22 11:31:24 2024 System Volume Information/ 2783026176 Feb 13 11:54:38 2025 nxos64-cs.10.4.4.M.bin Usage for usb1://sup-local 22280781824 bytes used 4653989888 bytes free 26934771712 bytes total
Step 2: Copy Image to Bootflash
LEAF-101# copy usb1: bootflash: Enter source filename: nxos64-cs.10.4.4.M.bin Copy progress 100% 2783026KB Copy complete, now saving to disk (please wait)... Copy complete.
Step 3: Check Upgrade Impact
The purpose of this step is to simulate the upgrade process before actually committing to it. By running the show install all impact command, the switch performs a dry-run analysis of the image and evaluates whether it can be safely installed. This simulation checks for several critical factors: whether a reboot will be required, whether the hardware is compatible with the image, if there is enough space available on the device, potential impacts to enabled features, and any image or system dependencies that might block the upgrade.
Running this command gives you full visibility into the consequences of the upgrade before any changes are made, allowing you to anticipate issues and plan accordingly. This is a best practice and should always be done prior to initiating the actual installation process.
LEAF-101# show install all impact nxos bootflash:nxos64-cs.10.4.4.M.bin Installer will perform impact only check. Please wait. Verifying image bootflash:/nxos64-cs.10.4.4.M.bin for boot variable "nxos". [####################] 100% -- SUCCESS Verifying image type. [####################] 100% -- SUCCESS Preparing "nxos" version info using image bootflash:/nxos64-cs.10.4.4.M.bin. [####################] 100% -- SUCCESS Preparing "bios" version info using image bootflash:/nxos64-cs.10.4.4.M.bin. [####################] 100% -- SUCCESS Performing module support checks. [####################] 100% -- SUCCESS Notifying services about system upgrade. [####################] 100% -- SUCCESS Compatibility check is done: Module bootable Impact Install-type Reason ------ -------- -------------- ------------ ------ 1 yes disruptive reset default upgrade is not hitless 27 yes disruptive reset default upgrade is not hitless Images will be upgraded according to following table: Module Image Running-Version(pri:alt) New-Version Upg-Required ------ ---------- ---------------------------------------- -------------------- ------------ 1 lcn9k 10.5(2) 10.4(4) yes 27 nxos 10.5(2) 10.4(4) yes 27 bios v01.11(12/04/2024):v01.09(10/08/2023) v01.09(10/08/2023) no Additional info for this installation: -------------------------------------- Service "sflow" in vdc 1: SFLOW feature is enabled. Upgrade will pause sFlow report for about 1 ~ 2 minutes.
Step 4: Launch the Upgrade
This step initiates the actual upgrade using the install all command, which is Cisco’s recommended method for performing NX-OS upgrades on Nexus platforms. The process is automated and ensures that the system validates the image, sets the appropriate boot variables, stages the upgrade, and handles cleanup of previous versions if prompted. Unlike manual upgrades, the install all command simplifies complex upgrade operations by guiding the switch through each stage interactively. It also minimizes the risk of human error and ensures consistency, especially when multiple switches need to be upgraded using the same image. Once confirmed, the switch will proceed to perform the upgrade and prepare for reload.
LEAF-101# install all nxos bootflash:nxos64-cs.10.4.4.M.bin Installer will perform compatibility check first. Please wait. Installer is forced disruptive Verifying image bootflash:/nxos64-cs.10.4.4.M.bin for boot variable "nxos". [####################] 100% -- SUCCESS Verifying image type. [####################] 100% -- SUCCESS Preparing "nxos" version info using image bootflash:/nxos64-cs.10.4.4.M.bin. [####################] 100% -- SUCCESS Preparing "bios" version info using image bootflash:/nxos64-cs.10.4.4.M.bin. [####################] 100% -- SUCCESS Performing module support checks. 2025 Apr 21 20:37:12 LEAF-102 %$ VDC-1 %$ %USER-2-SYSTEM_MSG: <<%USBHSD-2-USB_SWAP>> USB insertion or removal detected - usbhsd 2025 Apr 21 20:37:12 LEAF-102 %$ VDC-1 %$ %USER-2-SYSTEM_MSG: <<%USBHSD-2-UMOUNT>> USB1: offline - usbhsd [####################] 100% -- SUCCESS Notifying services about system upgrade. [####################] 100% -- SUCCESS Compatibility check is done: Module bootable Impact Install-type Reason ------ -------- -------------- ------------ ------ 1 yes disruptive reset default upgrade is not hitless 27 yes disruptive reset default upgrade is not hitless Images will be upgraded according to following table: Module Image Running-Version(pri:alt) New-Version Upg-Required ------ ---------- ---------------------------------------- -------------------- ------------ 1 lcn9k 10.5(2) 10.4(4) yes 27 nxos 10.5(2) 10.4(4) yes 27 bios v01.11(12/04/2024):v01.09(10/08/2023) v01.09(10/08/2023) no Additional info for this installation: -------------------------------------- Service "sflow" in vdc 1: SFLOW feature is enabled. Upgrade will pause sFlow report for about 1 ~ 2 minutes. Switch will be reloaded for disruptive upgrade. Do you want to continue with the installation (y/n)? [n] y Install is in progress, please wait. Setting boot variables. [####################] 100% -- SUCCESS Performing configuration copy. [####################] 100% -- SUCCESS Module 1: Refreshing compact flash and upgrading bios/loader/bootrom. Warning: please do not remove or power off the module at this time. [####################] 100% -- SUCCESS Module 27: Refreshing compact flash and upgrading bios/loader/bootrom. Warning: please do not remove or power off the module at this time. [####################] 100% -- SUCCESS Converting startup config. [####################] 100% -- SUCCESS 2025 Apr 21 20:39:17 LEAF-102 %$ VDC-1 %$ %VMAN-2-ACTIVATION_STATE: Successfully deactivated virtual service 'guestshell+' Finishing the upgrade, switch will reboot in 10 seconds.
Step 5: Wait for Automatic Reload
At the end of the upgrade process, the switch will automatically reboot to apply the new NX-OS version. There is no need to manually reload the switch unless an error occurs. This built-in reload mechanism is triggered by the install all workflow to ensure that the image is activated correctly and all required changes are applied at boot time. During this phase, it’s critical not to interrupt power or connectivity to the device. Allow the reload to complete fully — this can take several minutes depending on hardware and image size.
Step 6: Post-Upgrade Validation
Once the switch has rebooted and comes back online, it’s essential to validate that the upgrade was successful. This is done by running key verification commands such as show version to confirm the new NX-OS version, show install all status to review the status and any messages related to the install process, and show boot to ensure the boot variable is correctly set to the newly installed image. These checks confirm that the system is running the correct software, all components are functioning normally, and the upgrade did not introduce any anomalies or misconfigurations.
That concludes this tutorial. See you soon !
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