Upgrading Cisco Cluster Switches for NetApp ONTAP

NetApp Support Docs & Knowledgebase

First port of call:

NetApp Support Docs & Knowledgebase
https://mysupport.netapp.com/site/docs-and-kb

And on that page there is a link:
Cisco Cluster and Storage Switches

Cisco Cluster and Storage Switches

Check out the button:
Switch Compatibility Matrix
https://mysupport.netapp.com/site/info/cisco-ethernet-switch

Scroll down to the switch type of interest, and determine if your Cisco Cluster Switch needs an upgrade.

For example (data correct as of 25.04.2021):
Nexus 3232C:
Reference Configuration Files
ONTAP 9.3 – 9.8 : Cluster RCF_v1.0
Recommended Cluster NX-OS Versions
ONTAP 9.8, 9.7, 9.6, 9.5 : 9.3(4), 7.0(3)I7(9)
Supported Cluster NX-OS Versions
ONTAP 9.8, 9.7 : 9.3(4), 9.3(3), 9.3(2), 9.2(3), 9.2(2), 9.2(1), 7.0(3)I7(9), 7.0(3)I7(8), 7.0(3)I7(7), 7.0(3)I7(5a)
ONTAP 9.5 : 9.3(4), 9.3(3), 9.3(2), 9.2(3), 9.2(2), 9.2(1), 7.0(3)I7(9), 7.0(3)I7(8), 7.0(3)I7(7), 7.0(3)I7(5a), 7.0(3)I6(1), 7.0(3)I4(1)

Then click the link:
Upgrading ONTAP 9 Cluster Network Switch

Upgrading ONTAP 9 Cluster Network Switch

This is where you're told*:
NetApp customers must register their switch and have a valid CCO ID and contract number in order to install the applicable software for the above Cisco cluster switches.”

*For Cisco Nexus 92300YC, 3232C, 3132Q-V, 5596UP, and 5596T.

And to get the software you must go to:
https://software.cisco.com/download/home

There are various links on the Upgrading 'ONTAP 9 Cluster Network Switch' page, pertaining to relevant Cisco and NetApp documentation for your switch type.

For example:
3232C switches
Product Documentation - Product Library - Cluster, Management and Storage Switches (netapp.com)
https://mysupport.netapp.com/documentation/docweb/index.html?productID=62619
[PDF] Installing NX-OS and Reference Configuration Files (RCFs)
[PDF] Upgrading a Cisco Nexus 3232C Storage* Switch
*Storage switch is not the same as Cluster switch, but the procedure in the PDF is useful reading.
https://www.cisco.com/c/en/us/support/switches/nexus-3000-series-switches/products-release-notes-list.html

Note: The procedure to update the Cisco Cluster switches RCF file is also here:
https://mysupport.netapp.com/site/info/cisco-cluster-sw-instruction

Cisco Software Upgrade and Downgrade Documentation

Depending on what you want, you'll need to google to find the appropriate link.

For example:
Cisco Nexus 3500 Series NX-OS Software Upgrade and Downgrade Guide, Release 9.3(x)
https://www.cisco.com/c/en/us/td/docs/switches/datacenter/nexus3548/sw/93x/upgrade/guide/b-cisco-nexus-3500-software-upgrade-downgrade-guide-93x/b-cisco-nexus-3500-software-upgrade-downgrade-guide-93x_chapter_01.html
Note: 3500 Series includes 3000, 3100 and 3500.

Quick Switch CLI Notes from 'Upgrading a Cisco Nexus 3232C Storage Switch'

Installing/upgrading the RCF:

Switch# copy http://172.16.10.1//cfg/Nexus_3232C_RCF_v1.6-Storage.txt bootflash: vrf management
Switch# copy Nexus_3232C_RCF_v1.6-Storage.txt running-config echo-commands
Switch# show running-config
Switch# show banner motd
Switch# copy running-config startup-config

Installing NXOS (Can use FTP, SCP, SFTP - some examples below. The SFTP example will prompt for filename, server, user.):

Switch# ping {YOUR FTP/SCP/SFTP SERVER}

Switch# copy ftp://{YOUR_FTP_SERVER}/nxos.9.3.4.bin bootflash: vrf management
Switch# copy scp://{USER@YOUR_SCP_SERVER}/nxos.9.3.4.bin bootflash: vrf management
Switch# copy sftp: bootflash: vrf management

Switch# show version
Switch# dir bootflash:
Switch# copy running-config startup-config
Switch# show install all impact nxos bootflash:nxos.9.3.4.bin
Switch# install all nxos bootflash:nxos.9.3.4.bin

Switch# show version

The switch should automatically reboot after installing the software. To manually trigger a reboot:

Switch# reload

Also see: https://library.netapp.com/ecm/ecm_download_file/ECMLP2552649


Quick Switch CLI Notes from 'Cisco Cluster Switches Download Instruction'

Procedure to download and install RCFs:

Switch# ping IPADDRESS vrf management
Switch# copy tftp: bootflash: vrf management
Switch# dir bootflash:
Switch# copy bootflash: RCF_name running-config
Switch# show running-config
Switch# copy running-config startup-config

Other Useful Switch CLI Commands

Switch# terminal length 0
Switch# show run
Switch# show start


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