Upgrade Cisco NX-OS For Cisco Nexus 3000 Series Switch

Step 1:
Copy the files onto the device: You can use TFTP, FTP or SCP. I like SCP because its way faster then then TFTP. Download a free copy of Solar Winds SCP.

copy scp://admin@192.168.100.1/n3000-uk9.5.0.3.U3.2.bin bootflash:
copy scp://admin@192.168.100.1/n3000-uk9-kickstart.5.0.3.U3.2.bin bootflash:

Step 2:
Confirm the files are are in the directory you specified: You also don't need to run an MD5 check because that is part of the install all option.

switch# dir
        638    Jun 18 19:37:32 2012  license_FOC1536R01A_4.lic
      49152    Feb 26 18:24:48 2013  lost+found/
       3166    Feb 26 18:02:57 2013  mts.log
   25439232    Jun 18 19:31:49 2012  n3000-uk9-kickstart.5.0.3.U2.2b.bin
   25439744    Feb 26 19:00:08 2013  n3000-uk9-kickstart.5.0.3.U3.2.bin
   93751392    Jun 18 19:32:32 2012  n3000-uk9.5.0.3.U2.2b.bin
  126502986    Feb 26 18:59:16 2013  n3000-uk9.5.0.3.U3.2.bin
       4096    Jan 29 19:35:08 2010  vdc_2/
       4096    Jan 29 19:35:08 2010  vdc_3/
       4096    Jan 29 19:35:08 2010  vdc_4/

Step 3:
Select which images to install and from what directory:

install all kickstart bootflash:///n3000-uk9-kickstart.5.0.3.U3.2.bin system bootflash:///n3000-uk9.5.0.3.U3.2.bin


switch# install all kickstart bootflash:///n3000-uk9-kickstart.5.0.3.U3.2.bin system bootflash:///n3000-uk9.5.0.3.U3.2.bin
Installer is forced disruptive

Verifying image bootflash:/n3000-uk9-kickstart.5.0.3.U3.2.bin for boot variable "kickstart".
[####################] 100% -- SUCCESS

Verifying image bootflash:/n3000-uk9.5.0.3.U3.2.bin for boot variable "system".
[####################] 100% -- SUCCESS

Verifying image type.
[####################] 100% -- SUCCESS

Extracting "system" version from image bootflash:/n3000-uk9.5.0.3.U3.2.bin.
[####################] 100% -- SUCCESS

Extracting "kickstart" version from image bootflash:/n3000-uk9-kickstart.5.0.3.U3.2.bin.
[####################] 100% -- SUCCESS

Extracting "bios" version from image bootflash:/n3000-uk9.5.0.3.U3.2.bin.
[####################] 100% -- SUCCESS

Performing module support checks.
[####################] 100% -- SUCCESS

Notifying services about system upgrade.
[####################] 100% -- SUCCESS



Compatibility check is done:
Module  bootable          Impact  Install-type  Reason
------  --------  --------------  ------------  ------
     1       yes      disruptive         reset  ISSU not supported



Images will be upgraded according to following table:
Module       Image         Running-Version             New-Version  Upg-Required
------  ----------  ----------------------  ----------------------  ------------
     1      system            5.0(3)U2(2b)             5.0(3)U3(2)           yes
     1   kickstart            5.0(3)U2(2b)             5.0(3)U3(2)           yes
     1        bios      v1.2.0(08/29/2011)      v1.2.0(08/29/2011)            no
     1   power-seq                    v5.1                    v5.1            no



Step 4: You will be prompted to reboot. Select Yes.

ISSU is not supported on this platform!!
Switch will be reloaded for disruptive upgrade.
Do you want to continue with the installation (y/n)?  [n] y

ISSU is not supported on this platform!!
Switch will be reloaded for disruptive upgrade.
Do you want to continue with the installation (y/n)?  [n] y

Install is in progress, please wait.

Performing runtime checks.
[####################] 100% -- SUCCESS

Setting boot variables.
[####################] 100% -- SUCCESS

Performing configuration copy.
[####################] 100% -- SUCCESS

Finishing the upgrade, switch will reboot in 10 seconds.
switch#

Step 5:  Issue a show version to confirm the NX-OS version once it comes back from the reboot.

Cisco Nexus 2000 and 5000: Configuration and Troubleshooting

Great Video on Cisco Nexus 2000 and 5000 switches. The video is geared towards configuration and troubleshooting. Please note that the video is two years old and config sync along with the L3 daughter cards have been release by Cisco.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T6ty_38bJpc