How to Load Firmware Image using TFTP thru the Boot Menu on Dell Networking N Series Switches

Summary: Refer to the information about how to transfer firmware using TFTP transfer protocol thru the Boot Menu on a Dell Networking N Series Switch.

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Instructions

Table of Contents

  1. Overview
  2. Tools and Equipment Needed
  3. Steps to Complete the Process
  4. Verify the Firmware Installed
 


Overview

There may be times where the current configuration and or firmware installation are corrupt on the N Series switch.  This is a process to transfer the firmware using TFTP as an alternative to XMODEM that is a much slower process.

Tools and Equipment Needed
  • TFTP Server
  • Serial Cable
  • Ethernet Cable
  • Firmware downloaded to TFTP root directory
  • Laptop or Server for management of process
 
 

Steps to Complete the Process

  1. Connect a serial cable to the serial console port of the switch.  Use a terminal emulation software utility to manage the serial connection to the switch.  Putty is a widely used freeware version.  You can download at putty.org  HOW12081_en_US__1iC_External_Link_BD_v1
Use the normal line parameters:

Baud Rate - 9600
Data Bits - 8
Parity - None
Flow Control - None
 
  1. Power Cycle the switch.
 
  1. When the switch boot menu appears in the terminal session window, select 2 - Boot Menu
 
Dell Networking Boot Options
============================
Select a menu option within 3 seconds or the Operational Code will start automatically...
1 - Start Operational Code
2 - Display Boot Menu

Select (1, 2) #2

Boot Main Menu
==============
1 - Start Operational Code
2 - Select Baud Rate
3 - Retrieve Logs
4 - Load New Operational Code
5 - Display Operational Code Details
9 - Reboot
10 - Restore Configuration to Factory Defaults
11 - Activate Backup Image
12 - Start Password Recovery
  1. Choose option 4 - Load New Operational Code
Enter Choice# 4
  1. You will be prompted to select the Active or Backup image to upgrade.  Choose option A
Which Image to Update Active (/dev/mtd7) OR Back-Up (/dev/mtd6)? Select (A/B): A
You selected to update Active Image /dev/mtd7...
  1. You will be prompted to select the transfer mode.  Choose TFTP by entering T
Select Mode of Transfer (Press T/X/Y/Z for TFTP/XMODEM/YMODEM/ZMODEM) []:T
Please ensure TFTP server is running to begin Transfer...
  1. Enter the IP address of the TFTP Server
Enter Server IP []:10.10.10.200
  1. Enter the temporary IP of the Switch you are loading firmware.
Enter Host IP []:10.10.10.224
  1. Enter the Subnet Mask of the Switch you are loading firmware.
Enter Host Subnet Mask [255.255.255.0]:255.255.0.0 
  1. Enter the gateway of the Switch you are loading firmware.
Enter Gateway IP []:10.10.10.254
  1. Enter the case sensitive file name of the firmware you are loading.
Enter Filename []:N3000_N2000v6.3.1.8.stk
  1.   Enter Y to continue.
Do you want to continue? Press(Y/N): Y
  1. The switch will bring up eth 0 port.  Confirm you have your ethernet cable plugged into port 1 of the switch and connected directly to the TFTP server or another switch that has L2/L3 connection to the TFTP Server.

 

NOTE: Be sure you have the requested ethernet cable plugged into the first port of the switch connected directly to the TFTP server or another switch that has L2/L3 connection to the TFTP Server.  In order to allow the layer 3 TFTP transfer of the firmware file from the TFTP Server to the switch.

 

Bringing up eth0 interface...done.
Adding default gateway 10.10.10.254 to the Routing Table...done.
Erasing /dev/mtd7!!!
Erasing 128 Kibyte @ 17e0000 -- 99 % complete.
Updating code file...done.
Code Update Instructions Found!
Critical components modified on Active Partition -- System Reboot Recommended!
  1. Enter Y to reboot and complete the process.
Reboot? (Y/N): Y
Rebooting...
starting pid 11
syncing filesystems....This may take a few moments
Rebooting system!
  1. Once the switch completes the process you will see this option.
(Unit 1 - Waiting to select management unit)>
Applying Global configuration, please wait ...
Applying Interface configuration, please wait ...
console>
 
 

Verify the Firmware Installed 

 
The switch or stack is now ready for normal operation. Verify the configuration and make any changes needed prior to connecting the switch to the operational network. You can run the command show version.

console#show version
Machine Description............... Dell Networking Switch
System Model ID................... N3048
Machine Type...................... Dell Networking N3048
Serial Number..................... CN0H784T282983AR001XXXX
Manufacturer...................... 0xbc00
Burned In MAC Address............. XXXX.XXXX.XXXX
System Object ID.................. 1.3.6.1.4.1.674.10895.3058
SOC Version....................... BCM56340_A0
HW Version........................ 3
CPLD Version...................... 13

unit        active        backup    current-active    next-active
----      -----------    -----------   --------------      --------------
1           6.3.1.8      6.0.0.7        6.3.1.8           6.3.1.8
 

Affected Products

PowerSwitch N1500 Series, PowerSwitch N2000 Series, PowerSwitch N3000 Series, PowerSwitch N4000 Series
Article Properties
Article Number: 000121887
Article Type: How To
Last Modified: 05 Jun 2025
Version:  6
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