The ExtremeSwitching universal switches enable you to choose from among the Extreme flagship operating systems to install and run on your switch:
- Switch Engine (known as ExtremeXOS or EXOS in version 31.5 and earlier)
- Fabric Engine (known as VOSS in version 8.5 and earlier)
On any universal hardware switch, the default operating system (OS) is Switch Engine or EXOS.
Extreme recommends onboarding your switch with ExtremeCloud IQ (XIQ). Log in or create your XIQ administrator account in order to select your switch OS at: https://extremecloudiq.com
Operating system selection and activation can be done via the following:
1. XIQ – automatically by pre-selecting the preferred switch OS.
2. Bootloader menu – option to change the switch OS on initial activation only.
3. Startup menu in Switch Engine (EXOS) CLI – post-Bootloader menu prompt.
Initial OS Selection
This section describes Universal Hardware OS selection for factory-shipped devices.
Selecting your switch OS with XIQ
To auto-activate the preferred switch OS once in XIQ, complete the following steps:
1. Under Add Devices, select the OS you want to run, then Select Next.
The preferred switch OS can also be selected as part of bulk onboarding using the CSV file option.
2. Complete the remaining onboarding steps. Optionally, you can skip to the summary.
3. Once you have reviewed your selections, select Finish. XIQ will send an image update request to the switch.
Selecting your switch OS with ExtremeCloud IQ – Site Engine
ExtremeCloud IQ - Site Engine can change the OS to Fabric Engine through the ZTP+ feature.
1. Upload the Fabric Engine firmware image to both TFTP and SFTP directories (Network > Firmware > Upload...).2. Set the Fabric Engine firmware located in the SFTP directory as a reference image.3. Set the NOS Persona Change to "To Fabric Engine" for the particular site or manually during the ZTP+ process.
More details about ZTP+ in the documentation: https://emc.extremenetworks.com/content/oneview/docs/network/devices/docs/sites/l_ov_site_tab.htm#ZTPDeviceDefaults
Selecting your switch OS with the Bootloader menu
To change the switch OS via the Bootloader menu, complete the following steps:
1. Connect the switch to a console with a baud rate of 115200.
2. When the switch is powered on for the first time, after you see the Boot Menu screen, press the spacebar key within 30 seconds.
3. Use the down-arrow key to select “Change the switch OS to VOSS”, then select Enter.
4. The switch will install Fabric Engine/VOSS and then reset.
Selecting your switch OS with the Startup menu
To change the switch OS if you take no action during the initial boot, complete the following steps:
1. Connect to the switch via telnet, SSH, or console with a baud rate of 115200.
2. Log in to the Switch Engine (EXOS) CLI with username: admin and no password, then select Enter.
3. The switch prompts you to choose which switch personality you want to use: Would you like to change the switch OS to VOSS? [y/N/q]:” • To select Switch Engine/EXOS, type N or q. • To select Fabric Engine/VOSS, type y.
4. Select y. The switch installs Fabric Engine/VOSS and then resets.
Changing Your Switch OS After Initial Activation
This section describes changing your switch OS after initial configuration.
Changing your switch OS with XIQ
To change your switch OS with XIQ, complete the following steps:
1. Log in to your XIQ Administrator account at https://extremecloudiq.com .
2. Use the wizard to select Devices.
3. Check all the devices you want to change.
4. Select Actions to bring up the actions drop-down menu.
5. Select Change OS to change your switch persona, then select Save.
Result: XIQ will send an image update request to the switch.
Upgrade the Network Operating System Image
Use this procedure in XIQ to upgrade the NOS:
1. Select all the devices you want to upgrade.
2.Use the wizard to select Upgrade Devices.
3. Select Upgrade IQ Engine and Extreme Network Switch Images.
4. Select Upgrade to Latest Version.
5. Check “Upgrade even if the versions are the same.” Note: Ensure step 5 is completed in the case of a Firmware Upgrade for Fabric Engine/VOSS.
Changing your switch OS when running Switch Engine/EXOS
To change the switch OS from Switch Engine/EXOS to Fabric Engine/VOSS, see Changing the Network Operating System in the EXOS User Guide.
Changing your switch OS when running Fabric Engine/VOSS
To change the switch OS from Fabric Engine/VOSS to Switch Engine/EXOS, see Network Operating System Personalities in the Fabric Engine User Guide.