How to upgrade your Cisco 3650/3850 Catalyst switches

8 min readJan 26, 2024

YOU! Yes, you! Yeah, I know you have spent countless hours to find out more information about upgrading Cisco switch stacks firmware guide and it is rare to find and you had to scour all over the internet to find the easiest to understand procedural guidelines to upgrade your Cisco Catalyst 3650/3850. So let’s cut to the chase and get started.

Side note: You can get your Catalyst 3850 48P PoE here. (Please support.)

Here is a general guideline on how to upgrade Catalyst 3650/3850 version upgrade.

First thing you have to know is that there are two modes of operation, Install mode and Bundle mode.

Install Mode
The Install mode uses a package-provisioning file named packages.conf in order to boot a switch. In addition, there are a number of .pkg files in the flash drive. It is highly recommended that you do not alter the packages.conf and .pkg files unless directed by a Cisco Technical Assistance Center (TAC) engineer.
Bundle Mode
The Bundle mode uses old Cisco IOS images to boot a switch. The Bundle mode consumes more memory than the Install mode because the packages are extracted from the bundle and copied to RAM.

So what is their difference? Why use one after the other?

It is mainly because of their speed. As it suggest from the explanation above, Bundle Mode uses more RAM power than the Install mode.

Prepare in advance

1. First is to download your target software version from https://software.cisco.com/download/home

2. From your switch, do a show version

Switch#show version
<snip>
Switch Ports Model SW Version SW Image Mode
— — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — —
* 1 52 WS-C3650–48TD 03.06.07E cat3k_caa-universalk9 INSTALL <<<

Switch#show version
<snip>
Switch Ports Model SW Version SW Image Mode
— — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — —
* 1 28 WS-C3650–24TD 03.06.09.E cat3k_caa-universalk9 BUNDLE <<<

3. Ensure there is enough space in flash:

Switch# dir flash:

Directory of flash:/

<snip>

1621966848 bytes total (598597632 bytes free)  <<<<

4. Copy the target image file to the device’s flash: via TFTP/FTP/USB, etc.

Switch# copy tftp://x.x.x.x/cat3k_caa-universalk9.16.03.05.SPA.bin flash:cat3k_caa-universalk9.16.03.05.SPA.bin

Destination filename [cat3k_caa-universalk9.16.03.05.SPA.bin]?Accessing tftp://x.x.x.x/cat3k_caa-universalk9.16.03.05.SPA.bin...Loading cat3k_caa-universalk9.16.03.05.SPA.bin from x.x.x.x (via GigabitEthernet0/0):!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!![OK - 489159804 bytes]489159804 bytes copied in 143.802 secs (3401620 bytes/sec)Switch#

Upgrading from 3.x to 16.x

Upgrade from Install mode to Install mode

1. Make sure it is running in Install mode in advance.

Switch#show version | in INSTALL

 *    2 56    WS-C3850-48P       03.06.06E         cat3k_caa-universalk9 INSTALL

2. Execute the software install command and reload the device.

Switch#software install file flash:cat3k_caa-universalk9.16.03.03.SPA.bin new force

Preparing install operation ...

[2]: Starting install operation

[2]: Expanding bundle flash:cat3k_caa-universalk9.16.03.03.SPA.bin

[2]: Copying package files

[2]: Package files copied

[2]: Finished expanding bundle flash:cat3k_caa-universalk9.16.03.03.SPA.bin

[2]: Verifying and copying expanded package files to flash:

[2]: Verified and copied expanded package files to flash:

[2]: Starting compatibility checks

[2]: Bypassing peer package compatibility checks due to 'force' command option

[2]: Finished compatibility checks

[2]: Starting application pre-installation processing

[2]: Old files list:

    Removed cat3k_caa-base.SPA.03.06.06E.pkg

    Removed cat3k_caa-drivers.SPA.03.06.06E.pkg

    Removed cat3k_caa-infra.SPA.03.06.06E.pkg

    Removed cat3k_caa-iosd-universalk9.SPA.152-2.E6.pkg

    Removed cat3k_caa-platform.SPA.03.06.06E.pkg

    Removed cat3k_caa-wcm.SPA.10.2.160.0.pkg

[2]: New files list:

    Added cat3k_caa-guestshell.16.03.03.SPA.pkg

    Added cat3k_caa-rpbase.16.03.03.SPA.pkg

    Added cat3k_caa-rpcore.16.03.03.SPA.pkg

    Added cat3k_caa-srdriver.16.03.03.SPA.pkg

    Added cat3k_caa-wcm.16.03.03.SPA.pkg

    Added cat3k_caa-webui.16.03.03.SPA.pkg

[2]: Creating pending provisioning file

[2]: Finished installing software.  New software will load on reboot.

[2]: Committing provisioning file

[2]: Do you want to proceed with reload? [yes/no]: y

[2]: Reloading



%IOSXEBOOT-4-FLASH: (rp/0): deleting cat3k_caa-universalk9.16.03.03.SPA.bin because free space on flash is less than 300MB

%IOSXEBOOT-8e30b253627ff1aae4fee6643a923d8a-new_cksum: (rp/0): 4

%IOSXEBOOT-8e30b253627ff1aae4fee6643a923d8a-saved_cksum: (rp/0): 4

%IOSXEBOOT-Fri-###: (rp/0): Mar 17 16:27:16 Universal 2017 PLEASE DO NOT POWER CYCLE ### BOOT LOADER UPGRADING 4

%IOSXEBOOT-loader-boot: (rp/0): upgrade successful 

Front-end Microcode IMG MGR: Programming device 0...rwRrrrrrrw..0%.........................................................................10%........................................................................20%..........................................................................30%........................................................................40%........................................................................50%..........................................................................60%.........................................................................70%........................................................................80%............................................................................................................................................90%........................................................................100%

Front-end Microcode IMG MGR: Preparing to program device[0]...25166 bytes.

Front-end Microcode IMG MGR: Programming device 0...rrrrrrw..0%....10%....20%......30%...40%......50%....60%......70%...80%......90%....100%wRr!

Front-end Microcode IMG MGR: Microcode programming complete for device 0.

Front-end Microcode IMG MGR: Preparing to program device[0]...86370 bytes.... Skipped[3].

Front-end Microcode IMG MGR: Microcode programming complete in 244 seconds

Ensure there is enough space in flash:

3. After starting the device, check the version information using show version.

Switch#show version | in IOS

Cisco IOS Software [Denali], Catalyst L3 Switch Software (CAT3K_CAA-UNIVERSALK9-M), Version 16.3.3, RELEASE SOFTWARE (fc3)Cisco IOS-XE software, Copyright (c) 2005-2017 by cisco Systems, Inc.

Note: It is mandatory to use the keywords “new” and “force” when upgrading from 3.6.X to 16.X. If “new” and “force” are missing, the following error may occur and the program may not run properly.

Switch#software install file flash:cat3k_caa-universalk9.16.03.03.SPA.bin

Preparing install operation ...

[2]: Starting install operation

[2]: Expanding bundle flash:cat3k_caa-universalk9.16.03.03.SPA.bin

[2]: Copying package files

[2]: Package files copied

[2]: Finished expanding bundle flash:cat3k_caa-universalk9.16.03.03.SPA.bin

[2]: Verifying and copying expanded package files to flash:

[2]: Verified and copied expanded package files to flash:

[2]: Starting compatibility checks

[2]: % Candidate package compatibility checks failed because the following

       package dependencies were not satisfied. Operation aborted.

[2]: % An internal error was encountered. Operation aborted.

If the above error occurs, you need to perform a “software clean” and re-copy the image, and then repeat the steps with “new” and “force”.

Switch#software clean

Preparing clean operation ...

[2]: Cleaning up unnecessary package files

[2]: No path specified, will use booted path flash:packages.conf

[2]: Cleaning flash:

[2]: Preparing packages list to delete ...

     In use files, will not delete:

       cat3k_caa-base.SPA.03.06.06E.pkg

       cat3k_caa-drivers.SPA.03.06.06E.pkg

       cat3k_caa-infra.SPA.03.06.06E.pkg

       cat3k_caa-iosd-universalk9.SPA.152-2.E6.pkg

       cat3k_caa-platform.SPA.03.06.06E.pkg

       cat3k_caa-wcm.SPA.10.2.160.0.pkg

       packages.conf

[2]: Files that will be deleted:

    cat3k_caa-guestshell.16.03.03.SPA.pkg

    cat3k_caa-rpbase.16.03.03.SPA.pkg

    cat3k_caa-rpcore.16.03.03.SPA.pkg

    cat3k_caa-srdriver.16.03.03.SPA.pkg

    cat3k_caa-universalk9.16.03.03.SPA.bin

    cat3k_caa-wcm.16.03.03.SPA.pkg

    cat3k_caa-webui.16.03.03.SPA.pkg

[2]: Do you want to proceed with the deletion? [yes/no]: y

[2]: Clean up completed

<snip>

Upgrade from Bundle mode to Install mode

1. Make sure it is running in Bundle mode in advance.

Switch#show version | in BUNDLE

*    2 56    WS-C3850-48P       03.06.06.E        cat3k_caa-universalk9 BUNDLE

2. Convert the .bin file to a Package file using the software expand command.

Switch#software expand file flash:cat3k_caa-universalk9.16.03.03.SPA.bin to flash:

Preparing expand operation ...

[2]: Expanding bundle flash:cat3k_caa-universalk9.16.03.03.SPA.bin

[2]: Copying package files

[2]: Package files copied

[2]: Finished expanding bundle flash:cat3k_caa-universalk9.16.03.03.SPA.bin

3. Verify that the packages.conf file has been generated in flash:.

Switch#directory | in packages.conf

30979  -rw-        1236  Dec 22 2015 13:16:22 -04:00  packages.conf

4. Change the Boot variable and execute write memory.

Switch#configure terminal

Enter configuration commands, one per line.  End with CNTL/Z.Switch(config)#no boot systemSwitch(config)#boot system flash:packages.confSwitch(config)#endSwitch#write memorySwitch#show boot---------------------------Switch 1---------------------------Current Boot Variables:BOOT variable = flash:packages.conf;Boot Variables on next reload:BOOT variable = flash:packages.conf;<snip>

5. Reload the device.

Switch#show version | in IOS

Cisco IOS Software [Denali], Catalyst L3 Switch Software (CAT3K_CAA-UNIVERSALK9-M), Version 16.3.3, RELEASE SOFTWARE (fc3)Cisco IOS-XE software, Copyright (c) 2005-2017 by cisco Systems, Inc.

6. After starting the device, check the version information using show version.

Switch#show version | in IOS

Cisco IOS Software [Denali], Catalyst L3 Switch Software (CAT3K_CAA-UNIVERSALK9-M), Version 16.3.3, RELEASE SOFTWARE (fc3)Cisco IOS-XE software, Copyright (c) 2005-2017 by cisco Systems, Inc.

Upgrading from Install/Bundle mode to Bundle mode

1. Make sure that the target file has been copied to flash:.

Switch#dir flash:

31053  -rw-      537337933   Aug 9 2019 07:39:24 +00:00  cat3k_caa-universalk9.16.03.09.SPA.bin

2. Change the Boot variable and execute write memory.

Switch#configure terminal

Enter configuration commands, one per line.  End with CNTL/Z.Switch(config)#no boot systemSwitch(config)#boot system flash:cat3k_caa-universalk9.16.03.09.SPA.binSwitch(config)#endSwitch#write memorySwitch#show boot---------------------------Switch 1---------------------------Current Boot Variables:BOOT variable = flash:cat3k_caa-universalk9.16.03.09.SPA.bin;Boot Variables on next reload:BOOT variable = flash:cat3k_caa-universalk9.16.03.09.SPA.bin;<snip>

3. Reload the device.

Switch#reload

Proceed with reload? [confirm]

4. After starting the device, check the version information using show version.

Switch#show version

<snip>Switch Ports Model              SW Version        SW Image              Mode  ------ ----- -----              ----------        ----------            ----  *    1 32    WS-C3850-24T       16.3.9           CAT3K_CAA-UNIVERSALK9 BUNDLE

Upgrading from 16.X to 16.X