10.7.6 Packet Tracer Use a TFTP Server to Upgrade a Cisco IOS Image

Summary

This tutorial demonstrates how to upgrade a router's IOS image using a TFTP server. The first part covers downloading a new image from the server to Router 2, checking available memory, and configuring the router to boot the new image. The second part focuses on backing up Router 1’s system image to the TFTP server. Step-by-step commands like 'copy tftp flash' and 'copy flash tftp' are used to ensure successful image transfer, with verification at each stage. The process is designed to guide users through system image management in a Cisco network environment.

Takeaways

• 😀 TFTP server is used to upgrade the IOS image on Router 2 and back up the system image on Router 1.
• 😀 The TFTP service is enabled on the server to allow file transfers between devices.
• 😀 Before upgrading the IOS image, it's important to verify available memory on the router using the 'show flash' command.
• 😀 The IOS image file is downloaded from the TFTP server to Router 2 using the command 'copy tftp flash'.
• 😀 After downloading the image, use the 'boot system' command to set the new image as the boot image on Router 2.
• 😀 The configuration must be saved using the 'copy run start' command before rebooting the router.
• 😀 The router is reloaded to boot up with the new IOS image, and the new system image is verified using the 'show version' command.
• 😀 The same process of upgrading the IOS image is applied to a switch, following the same steps as for the router.
• 😀 To back up an IOS image from Router 1 to the TFTP server, use the 'copy flash tftp' command.
• 😀 After the backup is complete, verify the successful upload of the system image file on the TFTP server.
• 😀 The whole process involves downloading, verifying, and uploading IOS image files to ensure proper configuration and backups.

Q & A

What is the purpose of using a TFTP server in this scenario?

The TFTP server is used to download a new system image file to Router 2 and to upload the current system image from Router 1 as a backup.

How do you check the available memory on Router 2 before upgrading the image?

You can check the available memory on Router 2 by using the command 'show flash' to view the existing image and available space.

What command is used to download the new IOS image from the TFTP server to Router 2?

The command used to download the new IOS image from the TFTP server to Router 2 is 'copy tftp flash'.

What is the significance of the 'boot system' command in this process?

The 'boot system' command is used to specify the new system image file that Router 2 should boot from after the download is complete.

What is the purpose of the command 'copy run start' in the context of upgrading the IOS?

'copy run start' saves the running configuration to the startup configuration, ensuring that the new system image is loaded after the router is reloaded.

Why is it necessary to reload the router after upgrading the IOS image?

Reloading the router is necessary for the new system image to take effect and for the router to boot using the newly downloaded IOS image.

What command can be used to verify that Router 2 is using the new IOS image after the reboot?

The command 'show version' can be used to verify that the router is running the new IOS image.

What steps are involved in backing up the system image from Router 1 to the TFTP server?

To back up the system image from Router 1 to the TFTP server, you use the 'copy flash tftp' command, then enter the IP address of the TFTP server and the file name to upload the image.

How do you confirm that the backup of Router 1's system image was successful?

After the backup is complete, you can verify the successful upload by checking the TFTP server for the presence of the system image file.

What is the purpose of the 'show flash' command when backing up the system image on Router 1?

'show flash' is used to display the contents of the router’s flash memory, which allows you to identify the system image file that you want to back up to the TFTP server.