Updating the Cisco Switch 9200/9300 Series
A quick guide on how to update the Cisco 9200/9300 Switches via USB drive.
7/13/20251 min read
One of the easiest ways to update a Cisco 9200 or 9300 switch is to utilize the USB port on the device. This straightforward method lets you upgrade the firmware quickly and efficiently, ensuring your switch runs the latest software for optimal performance and security. No TFTP server, no problem - In this post, we’ll walk you through the simple steps to update the firmware via USB, complete with the necessary Cisco CLI commands. All commands will be in bold and italic. Let’s dive in!
Step-by-Step Guide to Updating Firmware via USB:
Prepare the USB Drive
Format the USB drive to FAT32.
Copy the new firmware .bin file (e.g., cat9k_iosxe.17.09.01.SPA.bin) to the root of the USB drive.
Insert USB into Switch
Plug the USB drive into the USB port on the Cisco 9200/9300 switch.
Access the Switch CLI
Connect to the switch via console, SSH, or
Telnet. (Don't use Telnet)Enter privileged EXEC mode: enable
Clean-up old installation files in case of insufficient space: install remove inactive
Verify USB Detection
Check if the switch recognizes the USB drive: dir usbflash0:
Confirm the firmware .bin file is listed.
Copy Firmware to Flash
Copy the firmware file from the USB to the switch’s flash memory:
Example: copy usbflash0:/cat9k_iosxe.17.09.01.SPA.bin flash:
Request the Install
Request the package install onto the switch:
request platform software package install switch all file flash:cat9k_iosxe.17.09.01.SPA.bin auto-copy
Save Configuration
Save the configuration to ensure the boot variable persists: wr
Reload the Switch
Reload the switch to apply the new firmware: reload
(Optional) Reload at a specific time - example 10 minutes: reload in 10
(Optional) Reload at a scheduled time: reload at 02:00 jul 14
Verify Firmware Update
After the switch reboots, verify the new firmware version: show version
Check the output to confirm the switch is running the new firmware version.