Important Firmware Update For Powerconnect 81Xx Stacking - Dell PowerConnect 8132 Manual

Stacking Dell PowerConnect Switches: 8132, 8132F, 8164, 8164F

Important Firmware Update for PowerConnect 81xx Stacking

As of May 2013, PowerConnect 8100 switches ship with an improved "B1" CPU. These new CPUs are
fully compatible and virtually identical to the original "A1" CPUs found in all prior PowerConnect 81xx
switches. The only difference with the new B1 switch that will cause concern to those wanting to have
both A1 and B1 switches in the same stack is the new B1 will not downgrade to the older 5.0.x.x
firmware code.
If attempting to add a B1 switch to a stack running 5.0.x.x firmware (or if trying to downgrade a stand-
alone B1 to 5.0.x.x firmware), be aware that the device will not update to the older firmware and will
fail to be added to the stack. Furthermore, if the boot auto-copy-sw feature is enabled on the stack
master with the allow-downgrade option also enabled, the new B1 switch will continue to reboot until
removed from the stack.
The recommended solution to this issue is to update the switch stack to firmware version 5.1.x.x or
later prior to adding any new switches to the stack. Find the latest firmware (5.1.x.x or later) at
http://support.dell.com.
Caution: Users can download the older 5.0.x.x firmware to the new B1 switch, but the
firmware will not load and is not usable.
Firmware 5.0.x.x is no longer recommended
If after reading the above section, it is still desired to run 5.0.x.x on a stack (not recommended), there
may be an option that will allow it depending on the CPU versions of each switch. Follow the
instructions below to find the CPU versions for all 8100 switches involved and determine available
options.
1. Run show version from the CLI prompt on either a stack or stand-alone switch.
2. If the stack or stand-alone is running 5.0.x.x firmware, then all switches in the stack (or
standalone) contain A1 CPUs. This is because 5.0.x.x can only run on A1 CPU switches.
3. If the firmware version is 5.1.x.x, then a CPU version line is displayed
CPU Version....................... XLP308H-A1
which shows the CPU version in the last two characters (either A1 or B1).
4. On a stack, run show version m where m is the unit number assigned to the stack member.
This will display the CPU version for that stack member. Run this command for each member.
If both A1 and B1 CPUs are among the switches you want to stack together, the only option is to
upgrade to firmware 5.1.x.x or later on all switches before stacking them. If all switches are A1 CPUs,
or if all switches are B1 CPUs, then they are ready to be stacked using any supported firmware. Just
remember that the B1 CPUs are only compatible with firmware 5.1.x.x or later. A1 CPUs are
compatible with all versions of PowerConnect 81xx firmware, including 5.0.x.x.
Note: Dell recommends that all PowerConnect switches are updated to the latest firmware.
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