Data Center

The Request: I have a client with multiple 6807 VSS pairs that required an IOS upgrade. All of the pairs have a single SUP2-T in each chassis and were in the 15 code train. Although the ISSU process is very straight forward I wanted to put this quick process up as I had to search through multiple documents to gather all the pieces I needed to knock it out. The Solution: Since these switches were in the proper code train to utilize ISSU I decided that was the best route to go. It also helps that everything was already dual-homed. This process is for VSS pairs with only one SUP per chassis! If you have another configuration you can reference the Cisco document provided at the bottom of the post. Some example text was taken from the Cisco Document referenced below One of the first things you want to verify is that there is a current boot variable configured on the VSS pair pointing to the version of code that is running currently. Some devices only have one version of code on the bootdisk so there is not a boot variable configured. For the ISSU to perform properly you MUST configure the boot variable: ...

The Request: Two new Nexus 7Ks have been installed at one of my client’s data centers. Management connectivity was brought up to the data center core and verified. I was given console access and told to configure TACACS+1 authentication and authorization on the F2 VDC2. The Solution: Configuring TACACS+ on the Nexus 7K is totally different than on IOS and even different than on the Nexus 5K equipment. It also requires a certain order of operations and there is one solid “gotcha” that most people run into. But, knowing these going in will make this a painless procedure. The first thing to remember is that you MUST enter the TACACS+ server key UNENCRYPTED. Most templates within many organizations I work with keep the TACACS+ key in its encrypted format within template documents. Entering it into a Nexus 7K in this format WILL NOT WORK. Been there…done that… First you will need to make sure the TACACS+ feature in enabled on the NEXUS 7K by entering the following command: ...