Install the NX-OS - Cisco Nexus 9808
Suggest changes
PDFs
You install the NX-OS on your Cisco Nexus 9808 switch(es) as part of a new AFX 2K system installation, a supervisor module replacement, or a switch reset to factory default settings.
-
The switch(es) must be powered on and you must have completed the Complete initial switch setup procedure.
-
If you are installing the NX-OS on the switch(es) as part of a new AFX system installation or supervisor module replacement, verify that the version of NX-OS on your switch(es) is the current NetApp-supported version.
-
If your switch(es) have the current NetApp-supported version, you do not need to install the NX-OS. You need to install the reference configuration file (RCF). Start with the Install or upgrade the RCF overview.
-
If your switch(es) do not have the current NetApp-supported version, continue with this procedure to install the NX-OS.
-
-
If you are installing the NX-OS on a switch as part of a switch replacement or a switch reset to factory default settings, verify that your cluster is fully functional, meaning that there are no errors in the logs or similar issues.
-
If you are installing the NX-OS as part of a new AFX system installation, you can skip this requirement because the controllers in your AFX system are not powered on at this point in your AFX system installation and setup.
-
The version of ONTAP running on your AFX system determines the supported versions of NX-OS for your switches.
-
For switches in an AFX 2K system, running ONTAP 9.19.1GA or later and NX-OS 10.6(3) and later is supported.
For the current list of supported NX-OS versions, refer to NetApp Cisco Ethernet Switches.
-
-
This procedure only requires the use of Cisco Nexus 9000 Series Switches commands.
-
The examples in this procedure refer to the first switch as cs1 and the second switch as cs2.
-
If you have installed switches as part of a new AFX 2K system installation, you install the NX-OS on the first switch (cs1) and then repeat the steps for the second switch (cs2) using this procedure.
Step 1: Prepare to install the NX-OS
Prepare to install the NX-OS on the switch(es) by making sure you have access to a server with the supported NX-OS version, downloading the NX-OS, connecting to the management network for the file transfer, and then verifying connectivity to the server.
-
You must have access to an HTTP, SFTP, FTP, or TFTP server. Access to one of these servers allows you to download a supported version of the NX-OS.
-
Download the correct version of NX-OS and EPLD image to the switch(es) from the Cisco software download page.
-
Connect the switch to the management network (for the file transfer).
-
Verify connectivity to the server hosting the NX-OS using the
pingcommand.ping <IP address>Show example
This example verifies that the switch can reach the server at IP address 172.19.2.1:
cs1# ping 172.19.2.1 Pinging 172.19.2.1 with 0 bytes of data: Reply From 172.19.2.1: icmp_seq = 0. time= 5910 usec.
Step 2: Install the NX-OS and EPLD image
You install the NX-OS and EPLD image on the first switch (cs1) by installing and verifying the NX-OS and EPLD image versions, and then repeat these steps on the second switch (cs2) if you are installing the NX-OS as part of a new AFX system installation.
-
Copy the NX-OS and EPLD image to the first switch.
copy <protocol>: bootflash: vrf managementShow example
The example uses sftp.
cs1# copy sftp: bootflash: vrf management Enter source filename: /code/nxos64-s1.10.6.3.F.bin Enter hostname for the sftp server: 172.19.2.1 Enter username: user1 Outbound-ReKey for 172.19.2.1:22 Inbound-ReKey for 172.19.2.1:22 user1@172.19.2.1's password: sftp> progress Progress meter enabled sftp> get code/nxos64-s1.10.6.3.F.bin /bootflash/nxos64-s1.10.6.3.F.bin /code/nxos64-s1.10.6.3.F.bin 100% 1261MB 9.3MB/s 02:15 sftp> exit Copy complete, now saving to disk (please wait)... Copy complete.
-
Verify the running version of NX-OS:
show versionShow example
cs1# show version Cisco Nexus Operating System (NX-OS) Software TAC support: http://www.cisco.com/tac Copyright (C) 2002-2025, Cisco and/or its affiliates. All rights reserved. The copyrights to certain works contained in this software are owned by other third parties and used and distributed under their own licenses, such as open source. This software is provided "as is," and unless otherwise stated, there is no warranty, express or implied, including but not limited to warranties of merchantability and fitness for a particular purpose. Certain components of this software are licensed under the GNU General Public License (GPL) version 2.0 or GNU General Public License (GPL) version 3.0 or the GNU Lesser General Public License (LGPL) Version 2.1 or Lesser General Public License (LGPL) Version 2.0. A copy of each such license is available at http://www.opensource.org/licenses/gpl-2.0.php and http://opensource.org/licenses/gpl-3.0.html and http://www.opensource.org/licenses/lgpl-2.1.php and http://www.gnu.org/licenses/old-licenses/library.txt. Software BIOS: version 01.14 NXOS: version 10.5(3)(F) [Feature Release] Host NXOS: version 10.5(3)(F) BIOS compile time: 11/25/2024 NXOS image file is: bootflash:///nxos64-s1.10.5.3.F.bin NXOS compile time: 02/27/2026 12:00:00 [03/14/2026 05:25:50] NXOS boot mode: LXC Hardware cisco Nexus9000 C9808 Chassis Intel(R) Xeon(R) CPU D-1633N @ 2.50GHz with 32802156 kB of memory. Processor Board ID FLMXXXXXXXX Device name: cs1 bootflash: 115802886 kB Kernel uptime is 5 day(s), 2 hour(s), 13 minute(s), 21 second(s) Last reset at 3580 usecs after Thu Mar 5 15:55:08 2026 Reason: Reset Requested by CLI command reload System version: 10.5(3)(F) Service: plugin Core Plugin, Ethernet Plugin Active Package(s): cs1#
-
Install the NX-OS and EPLD image.
Installing the image file causes it to be loaded every time the switch is rebooted.
install all nxos bootflash:nxos.<image_file>.binShow example
The example uses NX-OS version 10.6(3)(F).
cs1# install all nxos bootflash:nxos64-s1.10.6.3.F.bin Installer will perform compatibility check first. Please wait. Installer is forced disruptive Verifying image bootflash:/nxos64-s1.10.6.3.F.bin for boot variable "nxos". [] 100% -- SUCCESS Verifying image type. [] 100% -- SUCCESS Preparing "nxos" version info using image bootflash:/nxos64-s1.10.6.3.F.bin. [] 100% -- SUCCESS Preparing "bios" version info using image bootflash:/nxos64-s1.10.6.3.F.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 Images will be upgraded according to following table: Module Image Running-Version(pri:alt) New-Version Upg-Required ------- --------- ---------------------------------------- ------------------- ------------ 1 nxos 10.5(3)(F) 10.6(3)(F) Yes 1 bios xx.xx.:xx.xx xxx No 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. Performing runtime checks. [] 100% -- SUCCESS 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 Finishing the upgrade, switch will reboot in 10 seconds.
-
Verify the new version of NX-OS after the switch has rebooted:
show versionShow example
cs1# show version Cisco Nexus Operating System (NX-OS) Software TAC support: http://www.cisco.com/tac Copyright (C) 2002-2025, Cisco and/or its affiliates. All rights reserved. The copyrights to certain works contained in this software are owned by other third parties and used and distributed under their own licenses, such as open source. This software is provided "as is," and unless otherwise stated, there is no warranty, express or implied, including but not limited to warranties of merchantability and fitness for a particular purpose. Certain components of this software are licensed under the GNU General Public License (GPL) version 2.0 or GNU General Public License (GPL) version 3.0 or the GNU Lesser General Public License (LGPL) Version 2.1 or Lesser General Public License (LGPL) Version 2.0. A copy of each such license is available at http://www.opensource.org/licenses/gpl-2.0.php and http://opensource.org/licenses/gpl-3.0.html and http://www.opensource.org/licenses/lgpl-2.1.php and http://www.gnu.org/licenses/old-licenses/library.txt. Software BIOS: version 01.14 NXOS: version 10.6(3)(F) [Feature Release] Host NXOS: version 10.6(3)(F) BIOS compile time: 11/25/2024 NXOS image file is: bootflash:///nxos64-s1.10.6.3.F.bin NXOS compile time: 05/30/2026 12:00:00 [06/14/2026 05:25:50] NXOS boot mode: LXC Hardware cisco Nexus9000 C9808 Chassis Intel(R) Xeon(R) CPU D-1633N @ 2.50GHz with 32802156 kB of memory. Processor Board ID FLMXXXXXXXX Device name: cs1 bootflash: 115802886 kB Kernel uptime is 5 day(s), 2 hour(s), 13 minute(s), 21 second(s) Last reset at 3580 usecs after Thu Jun 5 15:55:08 2026 Reason: Reset Requested by CLI command reload System version: 10.6(3)(F) Service: plugin Core Plugin, Ethernet Plugin Active Package(s): cs1#
-
Verify that the new version of EPLD loaded successfully:
show install epld statusShow example
The example uses EPLD version 10.6(3)(F).
cs1# show install epld status 1) Module 2 upgraded on Mon May 4 09:17:08 2026 (631239 us) EPLD Install Image: EPLD image file 10.6.3.F. built on Fri Apr 24 19:49:50 2026 Status: EPLD Upgrade was Successful EPLD Curr Ver Old Ver ------------------------------------------------------- MI FPGA 0x10014 0x1000b IO FPGA 0x10033 0x10006 2) Module 27 upgraded on Wed Apr 1 15:03:13 2026 (193093 us) EPLD Install Image: EPLD image file 10.6.3.F. built on Mon Mar 16 03:28:47 2026 Status: EPLD Upgrade was Successful EPLD Curr Ver Old Ver ------------------------------------------------------- IO FPGA 0x1002d 0x10020 3) Module 28 upgraded on Wed Apr 1 14:59:53 2026 (843907 us) EPLD Install Image: EPLD image file 10.6.3.F. built on Mon Mar 16 03:28:47 2026 Status: EPLD Upgrade was Successful EPLD Curr Ver Old Ver ------------------------------------------------------- IO FPGA 0x1002d 0x10020 4) Module 27 upgraded on Fri Mar 27 21:55:55 2026 (132290 us) EPLD Install Image: EPLD image file 10.6.2.F. built on Fri Dec 12 11:15:18 2025 Status: EPLD Upgrade was Successful EPLD Curr Ver Old Ver ------------------------------------------------------- FM-19 FPGA 0x10006 0x10000 FM-20 FPGA 0x10006 0x10000 FM-21 FPGA 0x10006 0x10000 FM-22 FPGA 0x10006 0x10000 FM-23 FPGA 0x10006 0x10000 FM-24 FPGA 0x10006 0x10000 FM-25 FPGA 0x10006 0x10000 FM-26 FPGA 0x10006 0x10000 5) Module 27 upgraded on Fri Mar 27 21:50:16 2026 ( 4899 us) EPLD Install Image: EPLD image file 10.6.2.F. built on Fri Dec 12 11:15:18 2025 Status: EPLD Upgrade was Successful EPLD Curr Ver Old Ver ------------------------------------------------------- FM-19 FPGA 0x10006 0x10000 FM-20 FPGA 0x10006 0x10000 FM-21 FPGA 0x10006 0x10000 FM-22 FPGA 0x10006 0x10000 FM-23 FPGA 0x10006 0x10000 FM-24 FPGA 0x10006 0x10000 FM-25 FPGA 0x10006 0x10000 FM-26 FPGA 0x10006 0x10000 6) Module 27 upgraded on Fri Mar 27 21:44:36 2026 (775397 us) EPLD Install Image: EPLD image file 10.6.2.F. built on Fri Dec 12 11:15:18 2025 Status: EPLD Upgrade was Successful EPLD Curr Ver Old Ver ------------------------------------------------------- FM-19 FPGA 0x10006 0x10000 FM-20 FPGA 0x10006 0x10000 FM-21 FPGA 0x10006 0x10000 FM-22 FPGA 0x10006 0x10000 FM-23 FPGA 0x10006 0x10000 FM-24 FPGA 0x10006 0x10000 FM-25 FPGA 0x10006 0x10000 FM-26 FPGA 0x10006 0x10000 7) Module 27 upgraded on Fri Mar 27 21:38:58 2026 (330582 us) EPLD Install Image: EPLD image file 10.6.2.F. built on Fri Dec 12 11:15:18 2025 Status: EPLD Upgrade was Successful EPLD Curr Ver Old Ver ------------------------------------------------------- FM-19 FPGA 0x10006 0x10000 FM-20 FPGA 0x10006 0x10000 FM-21 FPGA 0x10006 0x10000 FM-22 FPGA 0x10006 0x10000 FM-23 FPGA 0x10006 0x10000 FM-24 FPGA 0x10006 0x10000 FM-25 FPGA 0x10006 0x10000 FM-26 FPGA 0x10006 0x10000 8) Module 27 upgraded on Fri Mar 27 21:33:19 2026 (112679 us) EPLD Install Image: EPLD image file 10.6.2.F. built on Fri Dec 12 11:15:18 2025 Status: EPLD Upgrade was Successful EPLD Curr Ver Old Ver ------------------------------------------------------- FM-19 FPGA 0x10006 0x10000 FM-20 FPGA 0x10006 0x10000 FM-21 FPGA 0x10006 0x10000 FM-22 FPGA 0x10006 0x10000 FM-23 FPGA 0x10006 0x10000 FM-24 FPGA 0x10006 0x10000 FM-25 FPGA 0x10006 0x10000 FM-26 FPGA 0x10006 0x10000 9) Module 27 upgraded on Fri Mar 27 21:27:41 2026 (957182 us) EPLD Install Image: EPLD image file 10.6.2.F. built on Fri Dec 12 11:15:18 2025 Status: EPLD Upgrade was Successful EPLD Curr Ver Old Ver ------------------------------------------------------- FM-19 FPGA 0x10006 0x10000 FM-20 FPGA 0x10006 0x10000 FM-21 FPGA 0x10006 0x10000 FM-22 FPGA 0x10006 0x10000 FM-23 FPGA 0x10006 0x10000 FM-24 FPGA 0x10006 0x10000 FM-25 FPGA 0x10006 0x10000 FM-26 FPGA 0x10006 0x10000 10) Module 27 upgraded on Fri Mar 27 21:22:03 2026 ( 90303 us) EPLD Install Image: EPLD image file 10.6.2.F. built on Fri Dec 12 11:15:18 2025 Status: EPLD Upgrade was Successful EPLD Curr Ver Old Ver ------------------------------------------------------- FM-19 FPGA 0x10006 0x10000 FM-20 FPGA 0x10006 0x10000 FM-21 FPGA 0x10006 0x10000 FM-22 FPGA 0x10006 0x10000 FM-23 FPGA 0x10006 0x10000 FM-24 FPGA 0x10006 0x10000 FM-25 FPGA 0x10006 0x10000 FM-26 FPGA 0x10006 0x10000 11) Module 1 upgraded on Fri Mar 27 21:16:24 2026 (240369 us) EPLD Install Image: EPLD image file 10.6.2.F. built on Fri Dec 12 11:15:18 2025 Status: EPLD Upgrade was Successful EPLD Curr Ver Old Ver ------------------------------------------------------- MI FPGA 0x10014 0x1000b IO FPGA 0x10033 0x10006 cs1#
-
If you are installing the NX-OS as part of a new AFX system installation, repeat these steps to install the NX-OS and EPLD image on switch cs2.
After you've installed the NX-OS on your switch(es), you install RCF starting with the Install or upgrade the RCF overview.