How to update Cisco Switch

For some days ago I needed to upgrade firmware at one of my Cisco 2960-S switches. I havn´t done this for a while so after some searching I found some tips how to do this and this is how I did it.

The only software you need to have for this is a TFTP-server at your computer, I prefer to use SolarWinds TFTP Server. It is free and can be downloaded from here.

The first thing I did was going to Cisco Support page downloaded the latest firmware for my switch. Then I accessed the switch with console cable and executed the show version command do verify that the current version was older than the version I downloaded.

The next step is to add a static ip address at your wired network card on your computer to be able to communicate with the switch. In my case I used the following settings on my computer:
IP-address: 192.168.10.20
Net mask: 255.255.255.0
Gateway: 192.168.10.1

The next step is to configure the switch with an Ip address. Access the switch with console cable and then enter the config mode using conf t command. Then we need to enter the Vlan1 interface to add an Ip address on it.
switch(config)#interface Vlan1
switch(config-if)#ip address 192.168.10.10 255.255.255.0
switch(config-if)#end

The next step is to verify that a port on you device is configured for Vlan1. I choosed to use Fa 0/1 for this and this is what I executed on the switch.
switch(config)#interface Fa 0/1
switch(config-if)#switchport mode access
switch(config-if)#switchport access vlan 1
switch(config-if)#end

Then connect a network cable between your computer and the Fa 0/1 port. You should now be able to ping between both these devices. Verify this before you proceed.

The next step is to start your tftp server at your computer and point is at a folder where your new bin file is located. When your tftp server is ready, access the switch with the console cable and execute the following commands:
switch#copy tftp flash
switch#Address or name of remote host []? 192.168.10.20
Source file name []? c2960s-universalk9-mz.150-2.SE5.bin
Destination file name []?: c2960s-universalk9-mz.150-2.SE5.bin

After this the transfer of the new file will start. This will wake some minutes depends on the size of the file. When the transfer is completed you should verify that your new file is located in the flash memory. Do this by executing the show flash command. The last step is to change the boot file for the switch. This is done with the boot system command and I executed this:
switch(config)#boot system flash: c2960s-universalk9-mz.150-2.SE5.bin
switch(config)#end

Then you need to save this to startup config with the copy running-config startup-config command. After this just reboot your switch with the reload command. During the boot you will see the version running on the switch but to verify the version after the boot use the show version command.

If you have some timeout problems with the tftp command but you are able to ping between the devices you probably has some local firewall at your PC. Try to disable it during this process.

If you have any problems or other suggestions, write a comment below