Installing Software Images Using a TFTP or RCP Server Application
Background
This document illustrates how Cisco IOS software is installed onto Cisco routers using a Trivial File Transfer Protocol (TFTP) server or Remote Copy Protocol (RCP) server application. Using a TFTP or RCP server requires familiarity with the Cisco IOS command line interface. Consequently, it is often recommended to use the Router Software Loader (RSL) application contained on every software feature pack CD-ROM instead of TFTP or RCP whenever possible. RSL provides a graphical user interface making it much simpler to use than TFTP or RCP server.
Note: RSL is designed to run only on Windows 95 platforms whereas TFTP server can be used on Windows, Macintosh, or UNIX systems.
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Before You Begin
A TFTP server or a RCP server application must be installed on a TCP/IP ready workstation. Once the application is installed, a minimal level of configuration must be performed. First of all, the TFTP application must be configured to operate as a TFTP server as opposed to a TFTP client. Secondly, the outbound file directory must be specified. This is the directory in which the Cisco IOS images are stored. Most TFTP applications provide a setup routine to assist in these configuration tasks.
Note: The TFTP server included on the software feature pack CD-ROM can be used only on a PC running Windows 95. For other operating systems, a number of TFTP or RCP applications are available from independent software vendors or as shareware from public sources on the World Wide Web.
The TFTP Server application included on the software feature pack CDs is also available on CCO
Installation Procedure
Note: For RCP applications, substitute RCP for every occurrance of TFTP. For example, use "copy rcp flash" instead of "copy tftp flash."
| Step 1: | Establish a console session to the router This can either be done with a direct console connection or virtual telnet connection. A direct console connection is preferred over a telnet connection because a telnet connection will be lost during the reboot phase of the software installation (See step 8). |
|---|---|
| Step 2: | Verify workstation has IP connectivity to the router The workstation must have a network connection to the router and must be able to ping the IP address of the router targeted for a TFTP software upgrade. |
| Step 3: | Begin the process of copying the new software image from the TFTP server to the
router Note: It is recommended to keep a copy of the router configuration before upgrading the router software. Router> enable Password: <password> Router# Router# copy tftp flash |
| Step 4: | Specify the IP address of the TFTP server When prompted, enter the IP address of the TFTP server as in the following example: Address or name of remote host [255.255.255.255]? 172.16.1.1 |
| Step 5: | Specify the filename of the new Cisco IOS software imaged When prompted, enter the filename of the Cisco IOS software image to be installed as in the following example: Source file name? 80180812.bin Note: The image name will vary depending on the name image has been saved under on the TFTP server. |
| Step 6: | Specify the destination image filename This is the name the new software image will be called once loaded onto the router. The image can be named anything, but common practice is to enter the UNIX image filename. Destination file name [80180812.bin]? c3640-i-mz.112-12.P |
| Step 7: | Clear flash for new image When prompted, enter "yes" to erase the existing software image resident in the router's Flash memory before copying the new one: Erase flash device before writing? [confirm] yes The entire copying process takes several minutes and differs from network to network. During the transfer process, messages indicate if the specified file has been accessed. The exclamation point (!) indicates that the copy process is taking place. Each exclamation point (!) indicates that ten packets have been transferred successfully. A checksum verification of the image occurs after the image is written to Flash memory. The router will reload itself with the new image once the software upgrade has been completed. |
| Step 8: | Verify new software image has been loaded After reload is complete, the router should be running the desired Cisco IOS image. Use the "show version" command to verify. |
Sample Session
Router#copy tftp flash
**** NOTICE ****
Flash load helper v1.0
This process will accept the copy options and then terminate
the current system image to use the ROM based image for the copy.
Routing functionality will not be available during that time.
If you are logged in via telnet, this connection will terminate.
Users with console access can see the results of the copy operation.
---- ******** ----
Proceed? [confirm]
System flash directory:
File Length Name/status
1 3612396 igs-i-l.110-16
[3612460 bytes used, 13164756 available, 16777216 total]
Address or name of remote host [255.255.255.255]? 171.71.93.192
Source file name? c2500-js-l_113-3.exe
Destination file name [c2500-js-l_113-3.exe]? c2500-js-l_113-3.bin
Accessing file 'c2500-js-l_113-3.exe' on 171.71.93.192...
Loading c2500-js-l_113-3.exe from 171.71.93.192 (via Ethernet0): ! [OK]
Erase flash device before writing? [confirm]
Flash contains files. Are you sure you want to erase? [confirm]
Copy 'c2500-js-l_113-3.exe' from server
as 'c2500-js-l_113-3.bin' into Flash WITH erase? [yes/no]y
%SYS-5-RELOAD: Reload requested
%FLH: c2500-js-l_113-3.exe from 171.71.93.192 to flash ...
System flash directory:
File Length Name/status
1 3612396 igs-i-l.110-16
[3612460 bytes used, 13164756 available, 16777216 total]
Accessing file 'c2500-js-l_113-3.exe' on 171.71.93.192...
Loading c2500-js-l_113-3.exe from 171.71.93.192 (via Ethernet0): ! [OK]
Erasing device... eeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee
ee ...erased
Loading c2500-js-l_113-3.exe from 171.71.93.192 (via Ethernet0): !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
<...snip...>
!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
[OK - 8900924/16777216 bytes]
Verifying checksum... OK (0x8ABE)
Flash copy took 0:04:57 [hh:mm:ss]
%FLH: Re-booting system after download
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