How To Update Cisco Router Firmware: Quick And Easy Steps

Cisco routers play a vital role in establishing small networks as well as global wide area network. It has some advanced features which make it different from the other routers. That’s why people are getting attracted to it with each passing day. However, each router needs firmware support. Cisco router is also included in that list.

Unfortunately, most of the people do not know how to update the Cisco router firmware. If you are one of them and want to know the procedure, then you have just arrived at the right place.

Now, go through the article carefully, as here, we are going to discuss some easy steps which will surely help you to update Cisco router firmware.

How to Update Cisco Router Firmware in a Proper Way

So, if you want to know how to update the Cisco router firmware, then you should look at the steps which are below given.

Step 1

In the beginning, you need to launch a TFTP software on your computer. TFTP stands for Trivial File Transfer Protocol, which is mainly used to transfer files from your system to the router.

You can find a lot of free TFTP software on the internet. So, download any of them. Then, you should ping the Cisco router’s IP address to make sure that the TFTP is connected with the router.

Step 2

Next, you need to configure the Trivial File Transfer Protocol server as a server, rather than a client.  So, your machine will act as a server and the Cisco router will act as a client. Then, you need to Configure the directory for outbound files as per the directions given by the TFTP software that you downloaded.

Step 3

Once you have successfully completed the above two steps, you have to choose an iOS image from the Cisco official site and after that, download it to the TFTP server’s outbound directory. To download an iOS image, you must have a Cisco customer account. Also, the image that you download must specify that it is the Cisco router model.

Step 4

Once the above three steps are completed, you have to connect your computer to the router via a console port. We advise you to use the blue console port that typically comes with the router. This port has a DB-9 serial connector on one end and an RJ-45 jack on the other end.

Next, you should use a terminal to connect with the Cisco router.

Now, you should configure the terminal settings as follows:

9600 bits per second 8 data bits 0 parity bits 1 stop bit No flow control.

Step 5

Then, you have to boot the Cisco router. For that, you should connect the power cable with the router and a standard wall outlet. After that, you can see the prompt button. In case, you have renamed the Cisco router to the previous configuration session, the actual prompt will verify.

Step 6

Now, you need to type ‘enable’ within the prompt and press the Enter button. Also, you have to type the enable password for the Cisco router and hit the Enter button to active the enable mode.

Step 7

Thereafter, you need to copy the iOS flash memory and then type ‘copy tftp: flash’ in the prompt and hit the Enter key. Next, you have to enter the IP address of the TFTP server within the prompt and hit the OK button.

Now, navigate to the ‘Source filename Prompt’ and enter the name of the iOS file which you downloaded from the TFTP server. After that, what you need to do is to press the Enter button.

Next, you should type ‘Y’ and click on the Apply to accept the default filename.

Then again type ‘Y’ and press the Enter button to erase the flash memory.

Step 8

Now, you need to verify whether the new version is running or not. To do so, you should boot your Cisco router and tap on the ‘show version’ option. In case, it updated successfully, you will be able to see the new iOS filename as the System Image File on the screen.

That’s it! We believe if you want to know how to update router firmware of Cisco, then the above steps have resolved your queries. However, the steps mentioned here are a bit complicated, and if you don’t have in-depth technical knowledge, then it is always a good option for you to not to take any risks and contact with a professional and follow their guidance.

Maria Colombo
Maria Colombo
Articles: 1190