Converting your Cisco Catalyst 9200 switch from bundle mode to install mode is a critical modernization step that provides better upgrade capabilities, improved space efficiency, and enhanced rollback features. This guide covers the correct sequence of steps to safely convert your switch from legacy bundle mode to the modern install mode used in current IOS-XE implementations.
Install mode offers significant advantages over the legacy bundle mode:
Before starting the conversion process, ensure you have:
1. Check current boot mode and configuration:
show version | include boot show boot show running-config | include boot system
2. Document current system state:
show version show install summary show file systems dir flash:
3. Backup current configuration:
copy running-config startup-config copy startup-config tftp://192.168.10.10/switch-backup-before-conversion.txt
4. Verify available storage space:
show flash: | include bytes # Ensure at least 3-4GB free space is available
First, obtain the appropriate IOS-XE install mode image for your switch model.
Example Image for WS-9200L-24P-4G:
cat9k_lite_iosxe.17.15.03.SPA.bin MD5: 0d4acfb1e3f269271bc8eb095d907014
Transfer using TFTP (Preferred Method):
copy tftp://192.168.10.10/cat9k_lite_iosxe.17.15.03.SPA.bin flash:
Transfer using USB (Alternative):
copy usbflash0:cat9k_lite_iosxe.17.15.03.SPA.bin flash:
Verify that the image exists in flash and confirm its integrity using the MD5 checksum.
Check file presence and size:
dir flash: | include cat9k_lite_iosxe.17.15.03.SPA.bin
Verify the MD5 checksum:
verify /md5 flash:cat9k_lite_iosxe.17.15.03.SPA.bin 0d4acfb1e3f269271bc8eb095d907014
Enter configuration mode and check the current boot system configuration.
configure terminal show running-config | include boot system
Remove all existing boot system entries that reference bundle (.bin) images. Repeat the command for each boot system entry found.
no boot system flash:current-bundle-image.bin
Exit configuration mode after removing all bundle-mode boot entries.
exit
Configure the switch to boot using packages.conf.
This file will be created automatically during the install process.
configure terminal boot system flash:packages.conf exit
Save the running configuration and verify the boot variables.
copy running-config startup-config show boot
Run the install command to extract the image, activate it, and commit the change.
install add file flash:cat9k_lite_iosxe.17.15.03.SPA.bin activate commit
The switch will extract packages, create packages.conf, activate the new image, and reload automatically.
After the reload, verify the switch is running in install mode and that the correct boot configuration is set.
Verify boot mode:
show version | include boot
Check installed packages:
show install summary
Verify boot variables:
show boot
Confirm that packages.conf exists in flash:
dir flash: | include packages.conf
Success Indicators:
packages.conf exists in flashshow install summary displays installed packagespackages.conf1. Verify system version and install mode status:
show version show install summary
2. Test basic network connectivity and interface status:
ping gateway-ip show ip interface brief
3. Verify interfaces, Layer 2 features, and VLANs:
show interface status show spanning-tree summary show vlan brief
Monitor CPU, memory usage, and system logs after conversion.
Check CPU and memory utilization:
show processes cpu | include five show memory statistics
Review system logs for warnings or errors:
show logging | include ERROR|WARN
After confirming a successful conversion, old bundle images can be removed to free flash space.
List all bundle (.bin) files present in flash:
dir flash: | include .bin
Delete old bundle images (retain at least one for emergency recovery):
delete flash:old-bundle-image.bin
Remove inactive install packages:
install remove inactive
Verify available flash space after cleanup:
show flash: | include bytes
Caution: Keep at least one known-good bundle image until the system has been stable in install mode.
If the switch enters a boot loop, access ROMMON and manually set boot variables.
Set boot variables to load packages.conf:
SWITCH_NUMBER=1 BOOT=flash:packages.conf boot
If install mode fails, fall back to a bundle image:
BOOT=flash:backup-bundle-image.bin boot
If packages.conf is missing or corrupted, rerun the install process to recreate it.
install add file flash:cat9k_lite_iosxe.17.15.03.SPA.bin activate commit
Check available flash storage:
show flash: | include bytes
Remove unnecessary files:
delete flash:*.log delete flash:*.tmp delete flash:core.*
Remove inactive packages to free additional space:
install remove inactive
If the switch fails to boot in install mode, recover using a backup bundle image.
Boot directly from the backup bundle image in ROMMON:
SWITCH_NUMBER=1 BOOT=flash:backup-bundle-image.bin boot
Once the system boots, reconfigure the boot system permanently:
configure terminal no boot system flash:packages.conf boot system flash:backup-bundle-image.bin exit copy running-config startup-config
If the switch boots but experiences issues in install mode, check rollback options.
Display available rollback points:
show install rollback
Rollback to a previous install state if available:
install rollback to id 1
After converting to install mode, the switch gains the following advantages:
Converting from bundle mode to install mode is an essential modernization step for Cisco Catalyst 9200 switches. The correct sequence - removing old boot configuration, setting new boot path, saving config, then installing the image - ensures a smooth and successful conversion.
Install mode provides significant operational advantages including faster upgrades, better rollback capabilities, and improved space management. While the conversion requires careful planning and execution, the long-term benefits make it a worthwhile investment in your network infrastructure.
Remember that install mode is now the standard for all IOS-XE devices, making this conversion essential for staying current with Cisco's best practices and accessing the latest platform features and capabilities.
