Xmodem Console Download Procedure Using ROMmon

Introduction
This tutorial explains how to use the xmodem command at the console to download Cisco IOS Software using the ROM monitor (ROMmon).

Usage
rommon 1 > xmodem [-cyrx] <destination filename>

Option -c -y -r

Function Performs the download using CRC-16 error checking to validate packets. Default is 8-bit CRC. ymodem-batch protocol uses CRC-16 error checking. Loads software image into dynamic RAM (DRAM) for execution. Default is to load into Flash memory. Note: This option is not recommended because there is no file in Flash, and, if the router is reloaded, you have to go through the recovery procedure again.

-x

Loads the software image into DRAM without being executed. The image can then be launched with the ROM monitor launch command. Note: This option is not recommended: see -r).

-f

Performs a full erase of Flash memory. This option is 1600-specific; default on other platforms.

Examples:
rommon 1 > xmodem -cf c1600-nsy-mz_112-15a_P rommon 1 > xmodem -y c2500-js-mz_120-14

Note: The "rommon xmodem/ymodem" transfer only works on the console port. You can only download files to the router. You cannot use "xmodem/ymodem" to get files from the router.

Procedure
(Note: To increase the speed of the download, see the instructions after this procedure before beginning.) 1. At the ROMmon prompt, type the following command:
rommon 1 > xmodem c1600-nsy-mz_112-15a_P

Do not send the program yet. 2. Wait for ROMmon to prompt you to send the image file via hyper terminal with the following message:
Ready to receive file c1600-nsy-mz_112-15a_P ...

3. Select Transfer from the menu bar on your hyper terminal program and choose the Send File option from the pull-down menu: Next, select Xmodem (or Ymodem if you used the -y option) for the protocol field: Next, either click on Browse to locate the image and its path, or include the image filename in the text field provided: Once you have done this, click on Send. This opens the Xmodem file send program, and displays the file to send. Downloading the file can take 20-40 minutes, depending on the file size or speed used to download. 4. When the file has finished downloading, ROMmon issues the following message:
Download Complete!

5. To verify the image in Flash, enter the dir flash: command at the ROMmon prompt. An example is shown below:
rommon 1 > dir flash: File size Checksum File name 2179331 bytes (0x214103) 0x7b95 c1600-nsy-mz_112-15a_p

6. Enter the reset or the bootflash:[filename] command at the ROMmon prompt for the system to boot the new software image, as shown below:
rommon 1 > reset

or

rommon 1 > boot flash:c1600-nsy-mz_112-15a_P

Increasing the Download Speed When Using X-Modem

Use HyperTerminal set to 9600 bps initially to talk to the router. Break into rommon mode and use the confreg command as indicated below to change the baud rate to 115200. Then reboot the router using the reset the command. As the router is rebooting (or before) restart HyperTerminal set to a baud rate of 115200. Return to the procedure at the beginning of this document.

Using the ROMMON

rommon 2 > confreg

confreg

Utility

This procedure is valid for the Cisco 2600 and 3600.

Configuration Summary enabled are: load rom after netboot fails console baud: 9600 boot: image specified by the boot system commands or default to: cisco2-C3600 do you wish to change the configuration? y/n [n]: y enable "diagnostic mode"? y/n [n]: !--- pressing "Enter" accepts the default (value between the brackets) enable "use net in IP bcast address"? y/n [n]: disable "load rom after netboot fails"? y/n [n]: enable "use all zero broadcast"? y/n [n]: enable "break/abort has effect"? y/n [n]: enable "ignore system config info"? y/n [n]: change console baud rate? y/n [n]: y enter rate: 0 = 9600, 1 = 4800, 2 = 1200, 3 = 2400 4 = 19200, 5 = 38400, 6 = 57600, 7 = 115200 [7]: 7 change the boot characteristics? y/n [n]: Configuration Summary enabled are: load rom after netboot fails console baud: 115200 boot: image specified by the boot system commands or default to: cisco2-C3600 do you wish to change the configuration? y/n [n]: You must reset or power cycle for new config to take effect