Crash course (5 hours later: Take 2 Advil b4 entering.)

It's been 6 years and I forgot how much fun THIS was...

Just got my 2950 in the mail. Connected to it vie console...

And got this...

switch: reset
Are you sure you want to reset the system (y/n)?y
System resetting...

C2950 Boot Loader (C2950-HBOOT-M) Version 12.1(11r)EA1, RELEASE SOFTWARE (fc1)
Compiled Mon 22-Jul-02 17:18 by antonino
WS-C2950-12 starting...
Base ethernet MAC Address: 00:13:60:e5:b6:80
Xmodem file system is available.
Initializing Flash...
flashfs[0]: 0 files, 1 directories
flashfs[0]: 0 orphaned files, 0 orphaned directories
flashfs[0]: Total bytes: 7741440
flashfs[0]: Bytes used: 1024
flashfs[0]: Bytes available: 7740416
flashfs[0]: flashfs fsck took 4 seconds.
...done initializing flash.
Boot Sector Filesystem (bs:) installed, fsid: 3
Parameter Block Filesystem (pb:) installed, fsid: 4
Loading ""...: permission denied

Error loading ""

Interrupt within 5 seconds to abort boot process.
Boot process failed...

The system is unable to boot automatically. The BOOT
environment variable needs to be set to a bootable
image.

switch:

Obviously I'm missing an IOS.

Now I'll be honest and say that I don't know how to do this. My book refers to restoring routers and I'm not sure if it's just the same for switches since my PC isn't connected to an ethernet port on a router, rather just the console port to the switch. I've never configured tftp programming on a PC, nor have I used it period.

I also don't know where I'd get an IOS image. The first thing that comes to mind is that I could copy the one I have on my 2612 router (12.2) over to my PC (after hooking up the tftp server), and then copy that to the switch?

I'd hate to bother you guys with something so trivial so if someone knows where to lead me in regards to:

1. Installing tftp software to PC
2. Making sure router/switch can see tftp software
3. Wether or not I can use my routers software on the switch.
4. etc, etc, etc. (yeah, don't wanna screw anything up...jitters)

Thanks guys.

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Ok, I've downloaded the free Solarwinds TFTP server but I think I may not have the necessary items I need to get this job done. I configured my router with a basic config and gave my e0/0 interface an IP address of 192.168.10.1 /24. Then I went to my PC and unhooked the cable from my cable-modem and plugged it into my ethernet port on the router. I went into my PC's IP config and changed the IP from DHCP auto to an IP address of 192.168.10.2 /24.

I then figured it'd just start working...

Riiiiiight.

The activity light on my e0 interface on the router is not lit up which is leading me to believe that I'm not using the correct cable. I figured if my cable can plug into my cable modem (kind of a router), maybe it can go straight into my routers e0 interface. I'm guessing I'm wrong about that?

Hi marzab,

1. SolarWinds TFTP server has been working great for me. Easy to install and use.
2. Your device should be on the same subnet your PC.
3. No. Router IOS is different from switch IOS. Switch IOS can be downloaded freely here but you need to register, for free, to get it.
4. Follow this link and you'll be OK.

Quick tip though.
Get a small IOS .bin image first, not the latest and not a .tar, because you may have to transfer it to your switch through Xmodem (i.e your console cable) which is slow like hell.
Then when you're able to boot it, follow this link for the IOS based upgrade process in order to upgrade to the latest IOS image (preferably .tar if you want the web interface too, i.e CMS).

Hope this helps and sorry if I missed something...
jvax

Oh, and to make things even more interesting...I only have the cable from my PC to my cable modem, 1 console cable, and (and you're gonna love this one) 1 power cord. So I can't even connect my router to the switch because I can't have them both powered on at the same time.

Ordered 20 power cords online a couple days ago so this **** will never happen again.

Anyone who can help me handle this mess is a god...

Darby?

jvax wrote:

Hi marzab,

1. SolarWinds TFTP server has been working great for me. Easy to install and use.
2. Your device should be on the same subnet your PC.
3. No. Router IOS is different from switch IOS. Switch IOS can be downloaded freely here but you need to register, for free, to get it.
4. Follow this link and you'll be OK.

Quick tip though.
Get a small IOS .bin image first, not the latest and not a .tar, because you may have to transfer it to your switch through Xmodem (i.e your console cable) which is slow like hell.
Then when you're able to boot it, follow this link for the IOS based upgrade process in order to upgrade to the latest IOS image (preferably .tar if you want the web interface too, i.e CMS).

Hope this helps and sorry if I missed something...
jvax

Aha, so THATS what xmodem is.

Ok, so if you can walk me through this I'm going to go right now and download the switch software. I'm a bit lost as to how I'll get the switch onto the same subnet as my PC since I cant even get into the switch configuration, right?

Hold on buddy you got yourself a pickle.

Let's see...

Hmmm...

While I'm looking...

Have you considered trying this real quick.

1. Boot the switch.
2. Hold down the mode button for say 30 seconds or so.
3. Let it boot....

when it boots you'll get three commands:

flash_init
load_helper
something else...

Type flash_init

then load_helper

Perform a "dir flash:" - every letter counts...

You are looking for config.text.

if you can perform the following you are GOLDEN

"rename flash:config.text flash:config.old"

then boot

You got a fresh switch on your hands...

if not - I'm working on it as speak... to try another option or two..

Then either call me or give me your number.

I'm getting you an image - this may fix things here...

Can you call me?

It's in your PM and we can walk through this one - it can be tough.

markzab wrote:

Ok, I've downloaded the free Solarwinds TFTP server but I think I may not have the necessary items I need to get this job done. I configured my router with a basic config and gave my e0/0 interface an IP address of 192.168.10.1 /24. Then I went to my PC and unhooked the cable from my cable-modem and plugged it into my ethernet port on the router. I went into my PC's IP config and changed the IP from DHCP auto to an IP address of 192.168.10.2 /24.

I then figured it'd just start working... Riiiiiight.

The activity light on my e0 interface on the router is not lit up which is leading me to believe that I'm not using the correct cable. I figured if my cable can plug into my cable modem (kind of a router), maybe it can go straight into my routers e0 interface. I'm guessing I'm wrong about that?

Your PC was getting its IP address from your cable modem via DHCP right? In that case you should configure your e0 interface to do the same, unless of course you know the exact IP address you get from your cable modem. WARNING though!! If the IP address your cable model gives you (which is the one assigned to you by your ISP) is a global one, then you should not use your router under your cable modem unless you're using a firewall-enabled IOS on your router, which I don't think you do, otherwise your router would be open to attacks. Your home lab doesn't need to be connected to the internet anyways for you to study on it. Wait until you've mastered ACL and perhaps FW features in order to protect yourself from cyberspace attacks.

You should fix your switch problem first in order to get started on setting up your lab.

flashfs[0]: Bytes used: 1024

Buddy - sorry you got no IOS

Call me asap - it's in your PM...

Don't worry about the ethernet cable...

You are and I are going to experience XMODEM over the your serial link... and the console cable...

In other words we are going to get medieval...!!!

Let's get the party started....

I'll have you an image in just a moment.

jvax wrote:

markzab wrote:

Ok, I've downloaded the free Solarwinds TFTP server but I think I may not have the necessary items I need to get this job done. I configured my router with a basic config and gave my e0/0 interface an IP address of 192.168.10.1 /24. Then I went to my PC and unhooked the cable from my cable-modem and plugged it into my ethernet port on the router. I went into my PC's IP config and changed the IP from DHCP auto to an IP address of 192.168.10.2 /24.

I then figured it'd just start working... Riiiiiight.

The activity light on my e0 interface on the router is not lit up which is leading me to believe that I'm not using the correct cable. I figured if my cable can plug into my cable modem (kind of a router), maybe it can go straight into my routers e0 interface. I'm guessing I'm wrong about that?

Your PC was getting its IP address from your cable modem via DHCP right? In that case you should configure your e0 interface to do the same, unless of course you know the exact IP address you get from your cable modem. WARNING though!! If the IP address your cable model gives you (which is the one assigned to you by your ISP) is a global one, then you should not use your router under your cable modem unless you're using a firewall-enabled IOS on your router, which I don't think you do, otherwise your router would be open to attacks. Your home lab doesn't need to be connected to the internet anyways for you to study on it. Wait until you've mastered ACL and perhaps FW features in order to protect yourself from cyberspace attacks.

You should fix your switch problem first in order to get started on setting up your lab.

I'm not setting up the lab to connect to the net at all. I was just saying that since I disconnected my cable from the cable-modem, I just manually created an IP on my computer since I wasnt going to be connected to the net anyway. Problem is I wouldnt be able to come back here for the next step. Darby just PM'd me his cell so let me get on the horn with him and I'll get back to you bro. Thanks...

For reference:

This is the procedure we are going to use:

http://www.cisco.com/warp/public/473/192.html#topic2

Hold on Darby...

Dog has been fed...

But wife stole phone back for 5 minutes...ugh.

Women, they just don't understand the importance of this stuff...

I'll C/B in about 5...

EDIT: Oh god, 5 minutes on the phone with you and I'm already typing my posts like you.

do yourself a favor, pick up something like this:

http://cgi.ebay.com/300-Ft-Grey-Cat5e-Cat5-Enhanced-Cable-Cat-5-Cat-5e_W0QQitemZ110124192012QQihZ001QQcategoryZ40988QQtcZphotoQQcmdZViewItem

i got a kit like this from this seller. they sell kits with 100 plugs and a crimper but the plugs are kinda junk, imo. none of mine will snap in... they slide out real easy.

Darby, I guess I should have stayed on the phone with you. We have a problem. The ship is sinking, the ship is sinking!!!

Cisco Internetwork Operating System Software
IOS (tm) C2950 Software (C2950-I6K2L2Q4-M), Version 12.1(22)EA1, RELEASE SOFTWAR
E (fc1)
Copyright (c) 1986-2004 by cisco Systems, Inc.
Compiled Mon 12-Jul-04 09:53 by madison
Image text-base: 0x80010000, data-base: 0x8066A000

Initializing flashfs...
flashfs[1]: 3 files, 2 directories
flashfs[1]: 0 orphaned files, 0 orphaned directories
flashfs[1]: Total bytes: 7741440
flashfs[1]: Bytes used: 3674624
flashfs[1]: Bytes available: 4066816
flashfs[1]: flashfs fsck took 7 seconds.
flashfs[1]: Initialization complete.
Done initializing flashfs.
FATAL ERROR ! Cannot run crypto images on this hardware configuration

%Software-forced reload

Preparing to **** core...

=== Crash Fault History ===

C2950 Software (C2950-I6K2L2Q4-M), Version 12.1(22)EA1, RELEASE SOFTWARE (fc1)
Compiled Mon 12-Jul-04 09:53 by madison
Signal = 23, Code = 0x24, Uptime 00:00:11
r0: 00000000, AT: 00000000, v0: 809C0000, v1: 809C0000
a0: 8011ECFC, a1: 00000000, a2: 8091A690, a3: BEEFCAFE
t0: 80CAB394, t1: 8098E700, t2: 10000000, t3: FFFF00FF
t4: 802CEE08, t5: 808D833C, t6: 00000000, t7: 808D8334
s0: 00000000, s1: 00000003, s2: 808B0000, s3: 809C0000
s4: 809C0000, s5: 00000000, s6: 809A0000, s7: 809A0000
t8: 80CA2F00, t9: 00000000, k0: 00000000, k1: 00000000
gp: 809221E0, sp: 80CAB140, s8: 809C0000, ra: 801DA178
EPC: 801DBAE8, ErrEPC: BDCBADFA, BadVA: 0x410837FF, SREG: 1000E703
Cause: 0x00000024 (code 9): Breakpoint exception

-Traceback= 801DBAE8 801DA178 802D0E9C 802D0630 801D658C 801D6630 8011EB44 8011E
D78 801BB07C 801BB068

Booting after a softreset ...

It keeps reloading over and over and that keeps happening. Every time it reloads itself it states that there is one additional file in flash. Started with 1, then 2, then 3, etc.

I even resterted the machine and it keeps going...

I guess no bed time for anyone yet.

Wait, ya know what...

"FATAL ERROR ! Cannot run crypto images on this hardware configuration"

Maybe that has something to do with those security features in the 2nd image you sent me? Maybe I should xmodem the original 3meg one without those features?

My god, and you told me popping my cherry with xmodem would only happen once in my life. Now it looks like I may be doing it again...in one night.

Houston we have a problem...

"CCCBB0flash:c2950-i6q412-mz.121-22.EA1.bin: invalid argument"

As soon as the new xmodem transfer sends the first bit it closes out and that pops up. Ugh.

Darthn3ss wrote:

i may have a few 2950 images that could possibly work for youif the one you have from darby isn't working out....will check on it if you'd like.

Look at my above post. I cant even use the original one without crypto features because xmodem is kicking me out now.

ouch.

if it makes you feel any better i was trying to upgrade the IOS on my 2514 to one that hopefully supported DHCP... failure. the TFTP download wouldn't even start, it'd say it found the file, but thats it.

Can't even delete the bad flash file...

switch: dir flash:
Directory of flash:/

2 -rwx 3670272 <date> c2950-i6k2l2q4-mz.121-22.EA1.bin
3 drwx 960 <date> crashinfo

4045824 bytes available (3695616 bytes used)
switch: delete c2950-i6k2l2q4-mz.121-22.EA1.bin
Are you sure you want to delete "c2950-i6k2l2q4-mz.121-22.EA1.bin" (y/n)?y
File "c2950-i6k2l2q4-mz.121-22.EA1.bin" not deleted -- permission denied

I'm about to take a magnet to this b|tch.

EDIT: I really couldn't accept the filter using "love" for that comment.

oh yeah, btw, i think the cable between your cable modem and PC is going to be a straight through... you need a crossover between a PC and a router.

(you can check this by comparing the ends of the cables.. they wires should be the same order [orange/white, orange, green/white, blue, etc] )[/url]

shouldn't that be:

switch: delete flash:filename.bin

?

Darthn3ss wrote:

oh yeah, btw, i think the cable between your cable modem and PC is going to be a straight through... you need a crossover between a PC and a router.

(you can check this by comparing the ends of the cables.. they wires should be the same order [orange/white, orange, green/white, blue, etc] )[/url]

shouldn't that be:

switch: delete flash:filename.bin

?

will try now...

switch: delete flash:c2950-i6k2l2q4-mz.121-22.EA1.bin
Are you sure you want to delete "flash:c2950-i6k2l2q4-mz.121-22.EA1.bin" (y/n)?y

File "flash:c2950-i6k2l2q4-mz.121-22.EA1.bin" deleted

You the man.

Gonna try and run xmodem with the other flash file now. Will keep you posted...

markzab wrote:

switch: delete flash:c2950-i6k2l2q4-mz.121-22.EA1.bin
Are you sure you want to delete "flash:c2950-i6k2l2q4-mz.121-22.EA1.bin" (y/n)?y

File "flash:c2950-i6k2l2q4-mz.121-22.EA1.bin" deleted

You the man.

Gonna try and run xmodem with the other flash file now. Will keep you posted...

great. good luck!

And we have lift-off guys. Xmodem is running and only another 1:10:00 to go before I know if this one will even work.

Well, if I learned one thing today...it's that xmodem is SLOW AS ****!

you can't do a tftp download like you can on the 2600s (and possibly other models)?

you can do a tftp download from rommon, with the 2600s....

although i'd probably just let that run now that its started.

Darthn3ss wrote:

you can't do a tftp download like you can on the 2600s (and possibly other models)?

you can do a tftp download from rommon, with the 2600s....

although i'd probably just let that run now that its started.

If you read through the beginning of the thread you'll see that TFTP is out of the question because I don't even have the proper cables yet. Only a console cable.

That's how this whole xmodem thing started in the first place.

oh yeah thats right.

well buy some cable then

see ebay link i posted

I'm buying some items from Darby and asked him specifically to throw in any extra cables he had lying around the maze/lab.

Sorry guys...

Looks like fun since we last departed.

Hmmm...

Won't take the crypto image?

I just put both of them on Darth's 2950-12 and did not have a problem at all last night.

BTW - Will ship tomorrow if I have to go and get a boat...

I did not finish with the CD Master for you last night.... Darth...

And tonight got a little busy...

As you can see...

I was pretty sure my cable modem to my router is a crossover - seems like that is what one would use between a cable modem and a PC - which would have been the norm...

I guess I could be wrong since I have not looked in ages.

Man, not I'm just getting pissed off here...

Directory of flash:/

2 -rwx 3082112 <date> c2950-i6q4l2-mz.121-22.EA1.bin
3 drwx 960 <date> crashinfo

4634112 bytes available (3107328 bytes used)

switch: boot flash:c2950-i6q412-mz.121-22.EA1.bin
Loading "flash:c2950-i6q412-mz.121-22.EA1.bin"...flash:c2950-i6q412-mz.121-22.EA
1.bin: no such file or directory

Error loading "flash:c2950-i6q412-mz.121-22.EA1.bin"

Interrupt within 5 seconds to abort boot process.
Boot process failed...
switch:

Could be an order of operations thing.

I just upgraded a 2950-12 from 12.0.5 to the 12.1.22 image and then to the 12.1.22 crypto image.

I left the last two images on the device. Default to boot the crypto and I rebooted it without an issue.

Hmm...

Client: Ahhh, this PoS doesn't work!!!

Technician: Have you rebooted the machine sir?

Client: No, not yet. I hate this thing!!!

Technician: Ok sir, please reboot the machine...

Initializing flashfs...
flashfs[1]: 16 files, 2 directories
flashfs[1]: 0 orphaned files, 0 orphaned directories
flashfs[1]: Total bytes: 7741440
flashfs[1]: Bytes used: 3107328
flashfs[1]: Bytes available: 4634112
flashfs[1]: flashfs fsck took 6 seconds.
flashfs[1]: Initialization complete.
Done initializing flashfs.
POST: System Board Test : Passed
POST: Ethernet Controller Test : Passed
ASIC Initialization Passed

POST: FRONT-END LOOPBACK TEST : Passed
cisco WS-C2950-12 (RC32300) processor (revision R0) with 20873K bytes of memory.

Processor board ID FOC0907Z1YU
Last reset from system-reset
Running Standard Image
12 FastEthernet/IEEE 802.3 interface(s)

32K bytes of flash-simulated non-volatile configuration memory.
Base ethernet MAC Address: 00:13:60:E5:B6:80
Motherboard assembly number: 73-5782-13
Power supply part number: 34-0965-01
Motherboard serial number: FOC09070B2C
Power supply serial number: DAB090412X6
Model revision number: R0
Motherboard revision number: A0
Model number: WS-C2950-12
System serial number: FOC0907Z1YU

--- System Configuration Dialog ---

Would you like to enter the initial configuration dialog? [yes/no]:

Ok, thank f-in god!

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