PowerSwitch: OS6: How to Automatically Synchronize Firmware when Adding an N-Series Switch to a Stack

Summary: How to use boot auto-copy-sw and no boot auto-copy-sw allow-downgrade commands on the stack primary switch to enable automatic firmware synchronization on Dell N-Series switches.

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Instructions

This procedure applies to adding a new member to an existing stack. If you are replacing an existing stack member please contact technical support for assistance with additional steps that will be required.

 

The optional boot auto-copy-sw allow-downgrade command should be used cautiously, as it does not assure configuration migration and is enabled by default once Firmware Synchronization is enabled. Pease contact technical support for assistance with this command.

 

  1. Enable Stack Firmware Synchronization on the stack primary switch.

N-SeriesPrimary> en

N-SeriesPrimary# show switch

N-SeriesPrimary# show auto-copy-sw

Stack Firmware Synchronization
Synchronization................................ Disabled
SNMP Trap status............................... Enabled
allow-downgrade................................ Enabled

N-SeriesPrimary# conf

N-SeriesPrimary(config)# boot auto-copy-sw

N-SeriesPrimary(config)# no boot auto-copy-sw allow-downgrade

N-SeriesPrimary(config)# end

N-SeriesPrimary# copy running-config startup-config

This operation may take a few minutes.
Management interfaces will not be available during this time.
Are you sure you want to save? (y/n) y
Configuration Saved!

N-SeriesPrimary# show auto-copy-sw

Stack Firmware Synchronization
Synchronization................................ Enabled
SNMP Trap status............................... Enabled
allow-downgrade................................ Disabled

 

  1. Power down the switch to be added to the stack.

  2. Connect the stacking cables.

  3. Power up the switch to be added to the stack.

  4. Verify the new switch has been added to the stack and the firmware has been synchronized.

N-SeriesPrimary# show switch

 

Affected Products

PowerSwitch N2000 Series, PowerSwitch N3000 Series
Article Properties
Article Number: 000121175
Article Type: How To
Last Modified: 03 Aug 2026
Version:  7
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