: The underlying Linux-based kernel for IOS XE.
: It is a common choice for switches configured in a Virtual Switching System (VSS) cluster, though users sometimes run into file transfer errors (like SCP or TFTP) when copying the large .bin file to slave bootflash.
I recently upgraded a pair of Catalyst 4500E switches (Sup8-E) to the cat4500e-universalk9.spa.03.11.04.e.152-7.e4.bin image and wanted to share some notes.
: IOS XE images are large. If the copy operation fails, delete old, unused .bin files or log directories via delete /force /recursive bootflash:old_filename.bin and rerun the squeeze bootflash: command if supported by the allocation table. cat4500e-universalk9.spa.03.11.04.e.152-7.e4.bin
: If the switch boots into rommon> mode, the boot statement configuration is likely incorrect or misspelled. Type boot flash:cat4500e-universalk9.spa.03.11.04.e.152-7.e4.bin directly at the rommon prompt to force a manual boot.
Switch# configure terminal Switch(config)# no boot system flash bootflash:old_image.bin Switch(config)# boot system flash bootflash:cat4500e-universalk9.spa.03.11.04.e.152-7.e4.bin Switch(config)# end Switch# write memory Use code with caution. Step 5: Reload and Confirm
Prioritizes latency-sensitive applications over bulk data transfers. : The underlying Linux-based kernel for IOS XE
After the switch reloads, do not assume success. Validate:
: Built-in support for IEEE 802.1X, Security Group Tagging (SGT), and MACsec encryption to secure data moving across hardware access ports.
Dynamically synchronizes configuration and state data between active and redundant supervisor engines. If the active supervisor fails, the standby unit assumes control instantaneously without dropping established Layer 2 sessions. : IOS XE images are large
CPU spikes to 99% after upgrade. Cause: The old spanning-tree vlan 1-4094 macro. This image introduces per-VLAN rapid-pvst threads. Fix: no spanning-tree vlan 1-4094 then specifically enable only used VLANs.
Switch# verify /md5 bootflash:cat4500e-universalk9.spa.03.11.04.e.152-7.e4.bin Use code with caution. Step 4: Update the Boot Variable
copy tftp://192.168.1.100/cat4500e-universalk9.spa.03.11.04.e.152-7.e4.bin bootflash: boot system flash bootflash:cat4500e-universalk9.spa.03.11.04.e.152-7.e4.bin reload