CHAPTER
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10-1
Cisco MDS 9000 Family Fabric Manager Configuration Guide
OL-6965-03, Cisco MDS SAN-OS Release 2.x
10
Software Images
This chapter describes how to install and upgrade software images, and introduces the file system. It
includes the following sections:
•About Software Images, page 10-1
•Essential Upgrade Prerequisites, page 10-2
•Software Upgrade Methods, page 10-3
•Using the Software Install Wizard, page 10-4
•Upgrading from Cisco MDS SAN-OS 1.3(4a) to 2.0(1b), page 10-6
•File System Manipulation, page 10-8
About Software Images
Each switch is shipped with either a Cisco MDS SAN-OS operating system or with a Cisco FabricWare
operating system for Cisco MDS 9000 Family switches. The Cisco FabricWare consists of a single
system image. The Cisco MDS SAN-OS consists of two images—the kickstart image and the system
image. To upgrade the switch to a new image, you must specify the variables that direct the switch to the
images.
•To select the kickstart image use the KICKSTART variable.
•To select the system image use the SYSTEM variable.
The images and variables are important factors in any install procedure. You must specify the variable
and the image to upgrade your switch. Both images are not always required for each install.
Dependent Factors
The software image install procedure is dependent on the following factors:
•Software images—The kickstart and system image files for Cisco MDS SAN-OS reside in
directories or folders that can be accessed from the Cisco MDS 9000 Family switch prompt. The
Cisco FabricWare image must reside in the volatile: file system.
•Image version—Each image file has a version.
•Flash disks on the Cisco SAN-OS switch—The bootflash: resides on the supervisor and the
CompactFlash disk is inserted into the slot0: device.