Here's the high-level process:
: Alex first verified the current mode with show version . Seeing "Bundle" meant the switch was still lugging around its heavy baggage.
show version | include mode # Output will say "Mode: BUNDLE" or "Mode: INSTALL" Use code with caution. Copied to clipboard Step 2: Extract the Packages
For more information on converting .bin files to .pkg files and managing your Cisco devices, check out these additional resources: cisco convert bin to pkg better
The days of the monolithic .bin file are fading. Cisco's modern pkg format and Install Mode are not just incremental changes; they represent a fundamental improvement in how network devices operate. The benefits are clear: faster boot times, lower resource consumption, essential feature support like SMUs, and powerful stack-wide automation.
Now you need to tell the device to boot using the new packages.conf file (the index of the expanded packages) instead of the monolithic .bin file.
(This skips the Cisco bootloader header, usually 256KB. Adjust based on binwalk output.) Here's the high-level process: : Alex first verified
Cisco IOS-XE software images are distributed in two primary formats: the monolithic .bin file (used for traditional boot and initial installation) and the .pkg file set (used for modular, sub-package loading on platforms such as ASR 1000 and ISR 4400). While .bin files are convenient for initial installations, converting to .pkg format enables granular software maintenance, faster reloads, and reduced memory footprint. This paper outlines the method for converting .bin to .pkg using native Cisco tools.
On older IOS XE switches (e.g., ), use the software expand command:
for modern Cisco IOS XE platforms like the Catalyst 3850 and 9000 series. This "conversion" essentially extracts the monolithic binary into its component packages, leading to faster boot times and better memory utilization. Why Convert to Install Mode? Performance Copied to clipboard Step 2: Extract the Packages
After the reload, check the mode again: show version | include Installation mode It should now say . 4. Best Practices for "Better" Management
chmod +x c2p_converter.py python3 c2p_converter.py sx20_firmware.bin safe_update.pkg
Expected: The running software lists individual packages instead of a monolithic .bin .
Without a signature, the device will reject it. Use a self-signed certificate loaded onto the device’s trust store:
Key insight: conversion is not a magic file transcode; it’s packaging — extracting or validating the image and creating the metadata and installation hooks the target system expects.