[How-To] Upgrade the firmware on a Dell PowerConnect N2000/3000 series switch

6 Replies
  1. Download the latest firmware from Dell's website
    1. Navigate to http://www.dell.com/support/ and enter in your service tag.  You should see downloads for this product, grab the latest firmware that is in a zipped folder.
  2. Extract the .zip folder of the firmware
    N2000 Firmware
  3. Console into the switch via SSH or direct console
  4. Copy the current configuration to startup
    1. console#> copy running-config startup-config
      N2000-3000 - copy running-config startup-config
  5. Transfer the firmware to the switch
    1. TFTP Method
      1. console#> tftp://N3000_2000v6.1.2.4.stk backup
    2. USB Method (Directly attached to switch)
      1. console#> usb://N3000_2000v6.1.2.4.stk backup
        N2000-3000 - usb transfer - backup
  6. Verify the backup version is the new build
    1. console#> show version
      N2000-3000 - backup - version
  7. Activate the new firmware
    1. console#> boot system backup
      N2000-3000 - backup - boot system backup
  8. Reboot the switch
    1. console#> reload
      N2000-3000 - update bootcode - reload
  9. Verify the build is now up-to-date
    1. console#> show version
      N2000-3000 - show version - active - 6_1_2_4
  10. Update the boot code
    1. console#> update bootcode
      N2000-3000 - show version - active - 6_1_2_4 - update bootcode
  11. Reboot the switch
    1. console#> reload
      N2000-3000 - update bootcode - reload

That should do it!

6 thoughts on “[How-To] Upgrade the firmware on a Dell PowerConnect N2000/3000 series switch”

  1. badboy

    Thanks for the article.

    An easier way to update firmware is to download the stk firmware file from Dell's website, put it onto the USB flash drive, plug the USB drive and reboot the switch. The USB Auto Configuration feature will automatically update the firmware.

    Reply ↓
  3. Kynetguy

    You should also update the CPLD after the bootcode and reboot,

    console#update cpld
    This operation will reset the switch on completion. Are you sure you would like to update the CPLD? (y/n) y

    Then reboot one more.

    Reply ↓
  4. Alan Page

    Great information. The only thing I had to do change was the method to copy the file via usb. (my firmware was 6.0.1.3 so that may be why.
    You had.
    USB Method (Directly attached to switch)
    console#> usb://N3000_2000v6.1.2.4.stk backup
    That wouldn't work for me, but this did..
    USB Method (Directly attached to switch)
    console#copy usb://N3000_2000v6.1.2.4.stk backup

    Reply ↓

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