Cisco has release new IOS-XE software, called IOS-XE Denali 16.x. This software is available for Cisco ASR routers and Cisco Catalyst 3850/3650 switches. In the end IOS-XE Denali should be available for all switches.

A good overview of Cisco Catalyst IOS XE Denali is explained in this Youtube video from Tech Field Day.

Below you see the commands to upgrade a Cisco Catalyst 3850 switch stack consisting 3 switches to the new IOS-XE Denali firmware. When you use the default software install commands you will receive an error message, like shown below.

C3850#software install file flash:/cat3k_caa-universalk9.16.01.02.SPA.bin switch 1-3 on-reboot
Preparing install operation …
[2]: Copying software from active switch 2 to switches 1,3
[2]: Finished copying software to switches 1,3
[1 2 3]: Starting install operation
[1 2 3]: Expanding bundle flash:cat3k_caa-universalk9.16.01.02.SPA.bin
[1 2 3]: Copying package files
[1 2 3]: Package files copied
[1 2 3]: Finished expanding bundle flash:cat3k_caa-universalk9.16.01.02.SPA.bin
[1 2 3]: Verifying and copying expanded package files to flash:
[1 2 3]: Verified and copied expanded package files to flash:
[1 2 3]: Starting compatibility checks
[1]: % Candidate package compatibility checks failed because the following
package dependencies were not satisfied. Operation aborted.

[2]: % Candidate package compatibility checks failed because the following
package dependencies were not satisfied. Operation aborted.

[3]: % Candidate package compatibility checks failed because the following
package dependencies were not satisfied. Operation aborted.

To get a successful install, you need to add the commands new and force, like shown in the output below. You need to manually reboot the switch during a maintenance windows to active the Cisco IOS-XE Denali firmware.

C3850#software install file flash:/cat3k_caa-universalk9.16.01.02.SPA.bin switch 1-3 new force on-reboot
Preparing install operation …
[2]: Copying software from active switch 2 to switches 1,3
[2]: Finished copying software to switches 1,3
[1 2 3]: Starting install operation
[1 2 3]: Expanding bundle flash:cat3k_caa-universalk9.16.01.02.SPA.bin
[1 2 3]: Copying package files
[1 2 3]: Package files copied
[1 2 3]: Finished expanding bundle flash:cat3k_caa-universalk9.16.01.02.SPA.bin
[1 2 3]: Verifying and copying expanded package files to flash:
[1 2 3]: Verified and copied expanded package files to flash:
[1 2 3]: Starting compatibility checks
[1 2 3]: Bypassing peer package compatibility checks due to ‘force’ command option
[1 2 3]: Finished compatibility checks
[1 2 3]: Starting application pre-installation processing
[1 2 3]: Finished application pre-installation processing
[1]: Old files list:
Removed cat3k_caa-base.SPA.03.07.01E.pkg
Removed cat3k_caa-drivers.SPA.03.07.01E.pkg
Removed cat3k_caa-infra.SPA.03.07.01E.pkg
Removed cat3k_caa-iosd-universalk9.SPA.152-3.E1.pkg
Removed cat3k_caa-platform.SPA.03.07.01E.pkg
Removed cat3k_caa-wcm.SPA.10.3.110.0.pkg
[2]: Old files list:
Removed cat3k_caa-base.SPA.03.07.01E.pkg
Removed cat3k_caa-drivers.SPA.03.07.01E.pkg
Removed cat3k_caa-infra.SPA.03.07.01E.pkg
Removed cat3k_caa-iosd-universalk9.SPA.152-3.E1.pkg
Removed cat3k_caa-platform.SPA.03.07.01E.pkg
Removed cat3k_caa-wcm.SPA.10.3.110.0.pkg
[3]: Old files list:
Removed cat3k_caa-base.SPA.03.07.01E.pkg
Removed cat3k_caa-drivers.SPA.03.07.01E.pkg
Removed cat3k_caa-infra.SPA.03.07.01E.pkg
Removed cat3k_caa-iosd-universalk9.SPA.152-3.E1.pkg
Removed cat3k_caa-platform.SPA.03.07.01E.pkg
Removed cat3k_caa-wcm.SPA.10.3.110.0.pkg
[1]: New files list:
Added cat3k_caa-rpbase.16.01.02.SPA.pkg
Added cat3k_caa-rpcore.16.01.02.SPA.pkg
Added cat3k_caa-srdriver.16.01.02.SPA.pkg
Added cat3k_caa-wcm.16.01.02.SPA.pkg
Added cat3k_caa-webui.16.01.02.SPA.pkg
[2]: New files list:
Added cat3k_caa-rpbase.16.01.02.SPA.pkg
Added cat3k_caa-rpcore.16.01.02.SPA.pkg
Added cat3k_caa-srdriver.16.01.02.SPA.pkg
Added cat3k_caa-wcm.16.01.02.SPA.pkg
Added cat3k_caa-webui.16.01.02.SPA.pkg
[3]: New files list:
Added cat3k_caa-rpbase.16.01.02.SPA.pkg
Added cat3k_caa-rpcore.16.01.02.SPA.pkg
Added cat3k_caa-srdriver.16.01.02.SPA.pkg
Added cat3k_caa-wcm.16.01.02.SPA.pkg
Added cat3k_caa-webui.16.01.02.SPA.pkg
[1 2 3]: Creating pending provisioning file
[1 2 3]: Finished installing software. New software will load on reboot.

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René Jorissen

Co-owner and Solution Specialist at 4IP Solutions

René Jorissen works as Solution Specialist for 4IP in the Netherlands. Network Infrastructures are the primary focus. René works with equipment of multiple vendors, like Cisco, Aruba Networks, FortiNet, HP Networking, Juniper Networks, RSA SecurID, AeroHive, Microsoft and many more. René is Aruba Certified Edge Expert (ACEX #26), Aruba Certified Mobility Expert (ACMX #438), Aruba Certified ClearPass Expert (ACCX #725), Aruba Certified Design Expert (ACDX #760), CCNP R&S, FCNSP and Certified Ethical Hacker (CEF) certified. You can follow René on Twitter and LinkedIn.

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