This article will address the error "Copy: Illegal software format." that is given when a firmware update is attempted on a VRTX switching module via the web interface. Though the web interface is capable of updating the firmware, there may be instances where this error is received.
- This article assumes you have access to telnet/SSH in to the switch module or to the CMC.
- This article also assumes you have the version of firmware you are intending to upgrade to. For the most recent firmware and other documentation for the VRTX system, goto the support site here.
- This article uses a TFTP server (FTP is also supported) to copy firmware files to the switch module, but does not cover setting up a TFTP server.
1. Log in to the VRTX switch module via Telnet/SSH or CMC:
Logging in through the CMC
- Using your telnet/SSH client, enter the IP address of the CMC
- Enter your CMC login/password.
- Enter connect switch at the $ prompt. This will establish a serial connection through the CMC to the switch module.
- Enter your switch module login/password (this will be the same as the web interface).
- This will change the prompt to: console>, enter console>enable to gain privileged access. The prompt will then change to console#.
Logging in directly to the switch module
- Using your telnet/SSH client, enter the IP address of the switch module
- Enter your switch module login/password (this will be the same as the web interface).
- The prompt should be console>, enter console>enable to gain privileged access. The prompt will then change to console#.
2. Save the current configuration:
console#copy running-config startup-config or console#write memory
3. Verify which version of firmware the VRTX switching module is running:
console#show boot version
4. Open the Software Upgrade Instructions located within the Firmware file for the appropriate firmware upgrade and follow the directions.
Caution: When updating from 1.0.0.63 to 2.x.x.x it may take 5-10 minutes when the final reload is performed. This reload is longer due to updating and overwriting both image 1 and image 2 storage slots. DO NOT power cycle during this process.
Note: This error message may be received if the incorrect file is attempted to be uploaded or if the file has become corrupt.
If this error is being received on a configuration download and has been edited in a text editor, it is possible that the format has been corrupt and will have to manually re-entered.
If an attempt has been made to open a configuration file in a text editor and the configuration isn't readable as plain text, the configuration file has become corrupted and will need to be re-entered from the beginning using other resources.