Asr1000-rommon.173-1r.spa.pkg -

The file asr1000-rommon.173-1r.spa.pkg is a ROMmon (ROM Monitor) upgrade package specifically for Cisco ASR 1000 Series Aggregation Services Routers. To "make a proper piece" out of it (i.e., perform a successful upgrade), follow these structured steps: 1. Preparation & Verification

Check Compatibility: Verify your hardware (RP, ESP, SIP, or MIP) requires this specific version. Use show rom-monitor slot to check your current version.

Transfer the File: Copy the package to your router's bootflash: or harddisk: using TFTP, FTP, or SCP.

Example: copy tftp: bootflash:asr1000-rommon.173-1r.SPA.pkg. 2. The Upgrade Command

Apply the upgrade to all components or a specific slot. It is generally recommended to upgrade all components collectively. Execute the upgrade:

upgrade rom-monitor filename bootflash:asr1000-rommon.173-1r.SPA.pkg all Use code with caution. Copied to clipboard

Note: If using a specific slot instead of all, replace the keyword with your slot number. 3. Finalizing the Upgrade

The upgrade is not permanent until the hardware is reloaded.

Reload the Router: Enter the reload command after the upgrade message confirms completion.

Verify Success: After the reboot, use show platform or show rom-monitor slot to confirm the version now reads 17.3(1r). ⚠️ Critical Troubleshooting asr1000-rommon.173-1r.spa.pkg

MD5 Mismatch: Some ASR 1000 RP2 boards (VID >= V07) may report an MD5 signature mismatch during the burn process. If you encounter this, consult the Cisco Bug Search Tool for CSCvz87460.

Stuck in ROMMON: If the router fails to boot post-upgrade, ensure your configuration register is set to 0x2102 (standard) rather than 0x2100 or 0x0.

Are you upgrading this as part of a larger IOS-XE software migration, or just a standalone firmware patch?

asr1000-rommon.173-1r.spa.pkg ROM Monitor (ROMmon) firmware upgrade specifically designed for the Cisco ASR 1000 Series Aggregation Services Routers. Technical Summary

This package updates the low-level boot firmware that initializes hardware components (RPs, ESPs, MIPs, and SIPs) before the IOS XE operating system loads.

17.3(1r) is an older release, typically required as a baseline for running newer versions of Cisco IOS XE (such as the 17.x series). Hardware Compatibility:

It is widely used across the ASR 1000 family, including the ASR 1001-X, ASR 1002-X, and various Route Processors like the RP1 and RP2. Critical "Real-World" Considerations

While this version is a necessary stepping stone for modern software, user experiences and technical logs highlight several important "gotchas": Known Upgrade Bug (CSCwa12192):

Upgrading to 17.3(1r) may cause some modules to enter a "disabled" state after the process. The RP2 Verification Error: The file asr1000-rommon

A specific bug (CSCvz87460) affects ASR 1002 routers with RP2 processors (specifically those with a Version Identifier of V07 or higher). Users often see a "FAILURE: MD5 signature does not match!"

error during the burning process, even if the file itself is not corrupted. Stability Mixed Reviews: Some users in the Cisco Community

report the upgrade getting "stuck" or failing on older RP1 modules, suggesting that unless your target IOS XE version strictly requires it, sticking with a stable older version like 16.3(2r) might be safer for older hardware. Boot Order Requirement: It is universally recommended by experts to upgrade the ROMmon first

and verify it with a reload before proceeding to the IOS XE software upgrade to prevent boot-looping. How to Use It

To evaluate or install this package, you typically use the following command structure: CSCwa12192 - ASR1k 17.3(1r) ROMMON ... - Cisco Bug

Cisco Bug: CSCwa12192 - ASR1k 17.3(1r) ROMMON upgrade may cause module to go to "disabled" state. Cisco Bug: CSCwa12192. ASR1k 17. ASR1002-X Upgrade version path - Cisco Community

Step 3: Install the ROMMON Package

Use the install command:

install add file bootflash:asr1000-rommon.173-1r.spa.pkg

Even though ROMMON is not a full IOS-XE package, the ASR1000 package manager treats it specially.

8. Common Misconceptions

| Myth | Reality | |------|---------| | This file boots the router | No – IOS-XE packages like asr1000-universalk9.17.03.02.SPA.bin do. ROMMON only initializes hardware. | | Higher version always better | Not if the hardware doesn’t support it. ROMMON 173-1r is not for RP1. | | You can downgrade ROMMON | Usually yes via the same upgrade rom-monitor command, but some hardware revisions block downgrades below a security baseline. | | It’s included in IOS-XE bundle | No – the .pkg is separate and must be downloaded from Cisco’s software portal. | Step 3: Install the ROMMON Package Use the

Step 1: Download the Image

Download asr1000-rommon.173-1r.spa.pkg from Cisco Software Download center under "ASR 1000 Series" → "ROMMON Firmware".

Product: asr1000-rommon.173-1r.spa.pkg

Type: ROMmon (ROMMON) Upgrade Package
Platform: Cisco ASR 1000 Series (ASR 1001-X, 1002-HX, 1004, 1006, 1009-X, 1013, etc.)
Version: 173-1r
Release Date: ~2020–2021 (Cisco IOS XE 17.3 era)

6. Risks and Rollback Considerations

Upgrading ROMMON is extremely safe when done correctly, but it carries more risk than upgrading IOS-XE.

• No downgrade path via CLI: You cannot "uninstall" a ROMMON from IOS-XE commands. Downgrading requires a physical EPROM reprogramming (rare) or booting into a specific rescue mode.
• Power interruption: If the power fails during the ROMMON write operation, the router will not boot. Some ASR1000 models have dual-bank ROMMON for redundancy, but not all.
• Best practice: Before upgrading, ensure you have a working console server and a TFTP server accessible from rommon> mode. If the upgrade corrupts ROMMON, you will need to use the XMODEM recovery process (very slow).

Golden rule: Never upgrade ROMMON unless absolutely required by release notes.

3. Manual Upgrade (Recovery Scenario)

If you have the .pkg file on your bootflash and need to force an upgrade (for example, during a disaster recovery where the ROMMON is corrupted), you would typically use the upgrade rom-monitor command in privileged exec mode, pointing to the specific package file.

Note: Do not interrupt a ROMMON upgrade. It is a low-level flash operation; interrupting it can "brick" the Route Processor, requiring RMA.

10. Conclusion: A Small File with Huge Responsibility

The asr1000-rommon.173-1r.spa.pkg file represents far more than a simple firmware update. It is the guardian of the boot process, the enabler of modern IOS-XE security features, and often the difference between a 30-second reload and a 3-hour site visit for disaster recovery.

Before your next major IOS-XE upgrade, check your ROMMON version. If it’s older than 17.3(1r), plan a maintenance window, follow the upgrade steps meticulously, and test your console server connectivity. Your future self will thank you when the router boots cleanly on first try.

Remember: In routing, reliability starts before the first line of IOS-XE code executes. It starts in ROMMON.

5. Step-by-Step Upgrade Procedure

Upgrading ROMMON is not like copying a file to flash. It requires a package installation and a full power cycle—not just a reload.