Converting Cisco from Nexus NX-OS mode to ACI mode

To use ACI, we need to make sure that we are running our switches in ACI mode. We can check which version we are running by using the show version command:

BIOS: version 08.06
NXOS: version 6.1(2)I3(3)
BIOS compile time: 12/03/2014
NXOS image file name is: bootflash:///n9000-dk9.6.1.2.I3.3.bin
NXOS compile time: 12/05/2014 10:50:20 [12/05/2014 2:25]

We can tell that we are running an NX-OS mode switch as the image filename begins with n9000. ACI image filenames begin with aci-n9000.

The following instructions are for NX-OS release 6.1(2)l3(3) and later, and ACI image version 11.0(2x) or later. There are slight differences with earlier releases, so it is best to make sure you are on these releases before attempting the switch from NX-OS mode to ACI mode.

Check whether your hardware is supported: look in the release notes for Cisco Nexus 9000 Series ACI-mode switches.

Remove or turn off any unsupported module (poweroff module <module> command). If you do not do this step, the software will use a recovery/retry mechanism before powering down the unsupported module, which can cause delays.

If you have a dual-supervisor system, then confirm that the standby supervisor module is in the ha-standby state using the show module command.

Use it like this: show install all impact epld <epld-image-name>. This will check that the switch does not require any EPLD image upgrade. EPLD stands for electronic programmable logic device, and these enhance hardware functionality or resolve known issues. EPLD upgrades are quite infrequent, but they should not be overlooked.