Upgrading PowerConnect Switches from Version 2.x.x.x or 3.x.x.x or 
4.x.x.x or 5.x.x.x to 5.1.9.3 Firmware
 
 
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Switch Recovery Procedure 
 
NOTE: The Switch Recovery procedure requires one to connect to each 
switch individually via the serial port.  It will not upgrade stack members other 
than the switch directly connected via the serial port. For modular switches, 
connect via the serial port on the front panel, not via the CMC. If the switches 
are connected via stacking cables, disconnect the stacking cables to perform 
the recovery procedure. 
1.  Connect a serial cable to the serial port (8-No Parity-1-9600-No Flow Control). 
a.  For Top-Of-Rack Switches, use the supplied RJ45 Yost to DB9 serial cable. Connect the RJ45 end 
to the switch and the DB9 connector to your PC. Set the terminal emulation software to the correct 
settings (default setting 9600 baud, 8 data bits, no parity bit, 1 stop bit, and no flow control). 
b.  For M-Series switches, use the supplied USB Type-A to DB9 serial cable. Plug the USB Type A 
connector into the switch and connect the DB9 connector to your PC. Set the terminal emulation 
software to correct settings (default setting 9600 baud, 8 data bits, no parity bit, 1 stop bit, and no 
flow control). Power cycle the switch by powering it off for at least 10 seconds and then powering 
it on. 
2.  When the boot menu appears, select 2 – Start Boot Menu within 10 seconds of the prompt appearing. If the 
boot menu does not appear after power cycling the switch, check the serial port settings and the serial cable 
connections. Make sure that RTS/CTS (HW flow control) and XON/XOFF (SW flow control) are disabled 
on the terminal. It is preferred to use the serial cable supplied with the switch. If you do not have the 
original serial cable, it may be necessary to use a NULL modem device to access the switch via the serial 
cable. Check the serial cable setup with an operational switch to verify that it works properly. 
3.  If 5.1.9.3 firmware has not already been downloaded to the switch, download the firmware to the switch 
(Select option 4 - Load new operational code using XMODEM) from the boot menu using Xmodem. 
Download the firmware using a 1K block size. HyperTerminal supports Xmodem-1K and is distributed 
with Microsoft Windows®. Information on how to operate HyperTerminal can be obtained from Microsoft 
at http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/cc784492%28WS.10%29.aspx 
4.  Select 5 - Display operational code vital product data from the boot menu. 
5.  Examine the name of the firmware image file listed on the last line of the output and tagged with the 
keyword “File.” The firmware version is embedded in the name beginning with the lower case letter ‘r’ 
following the switch model number. If the output indicates a 2.x.x.x. or 3.x.x.x version of firmware is 
active, select 11 – Activate Backup Image. If the File line at the end of the output indicates a 5.1.9.3 version 
of firmware, skip to step 7 without changing the active image. 
a.  Example image versions as displayed on the boot menu: 
i.  “File - PC8024r3v1m4b5.opr”  - Version 3.1.4.5 
ii.  “File – PC6348r2v1m0b7.opr” – Version 2.1.0.7 
iii.  “File – PC8024r5v1m8b3
.opr” – Version 5.1.9.3 
iv.  “File – PC8024r4v2m2b3.opr” – Version 4.2.2.3 
6.  Select 7 – Update Boot Code from the boot menu. 
7.  Select 9 – Reset the system. Do NOT select 1 – Start operational code. 
8.  Verify that the firmware has been updated to the 5.1.9.3 version using the show version command.