
This step in the Ansible playbook performs a show running-config and saves the live config of the switch before you reload it. Verify the current image running on your deviceīefore you upgrade and reload all your switches, it would make sense to first check what software each switch is running and then eliminate all the compliant ones from the upgrade process. The Ansible playbook will be broken up into steps so you can see how each part works. Whilst the steps are mostly the same for other IOS network devices I suggest you try this on a few local switches before upgrading your entire company’s switching overnight! You can never be 100% sure everything will be ok so the steps below describe the process only to perform the upgrade on a 2960 switch. Perform each step on the CLI and transfer the steps to your playbook. But you still need to test every step to make sure it operates correctly. Using Ansible to perform this task can take a lot of the manpower out of the task. The main factor is saving time / manpower.

Saying all that, the process to perform an IOS upgrade on a Cisco switch is basically very simple using Network Automation Performing the task remotely is always a concern as switches always take longer to reboot when your not there! Also if the switch fails to reboot you have not option but to gain local console access. Or having out of band management to all your network devices has it’s benefits here.

