Upgrading firmware on 3Com 4500 switch

This is a step-by-step on how to upgrade the firmware on a 3Com 4500 series switch.

Before starting, the switch needs to be on the network and be able to "see" the TFTP server.

Just to be on the safe side, before upgrading do a BACKUP! Once the TFTP software is set up and pointing to the folder that will contain the backup files, connect to a terminal session and go trough the following sequence:

<4500>tftp 192.168.0.1 put flash:/s3p01_00.web
<4500>tftp 192.168.0.1 put flash:/3comoscfg.def
<4500>tftp 192.168.0.1 put flash:/3comoscfg.cfg
<4500>tftp 192.168.0.1 put flash:/s3n03_01_00s56p01.app

Next thing that needs to be done is deleting the old firmware to make room for the new one. Make sure that you are not deleting the configuration files (3comoscfg.def & 3comoscfg.cfg).

<4500>delete /unreserved s3p01_00.web
<4500>delete /unreserved s3n03_01_00s56p01.app
<4500>dir
Directory of unit1>flash:/
   0   -rw-      5195  Jan 01 1970 00:02:27   3comoscfg.def
   1   -rw-      4914  Apr 01 2000 23:57:51   3comoscfg.cfg
7239 KB total (7098 KB free)

Now to get on with the upgrade, set up the TFTP software to point to the folder containing the new software, than run the following sequence in the terminal.

<4500>tftp 192.168.0.1 get flash:/s3p04_04.web
<4500>tftp 192.168.0.1 get s3p04_04.web
<4500>tftp 192.168.0.1 get s3o04_06.btm
<4500>tftp 192.168.0.1 get s3n03_03_02s168p15.app

Next step is to configure which files will be used by the switch on the next boot.

<4500>boot boot-loader flash:/s3n03_03_02s168p15.app
<4500>boot bootrom flash:/s3o04_06.btm
<4500>dir
Directory of unit1>flash:/
   1       -rw-    995524  Apr 02 2000 01:31:13   s3p04_04.web
   2       -rw-      5195  Jan 01 1970 00:02:27   3comoscfg.def
   3       -rw-    195022  Apr 02 2000 01:31:53   s3o04_06.btm
   4 (*)   -rw-      4914  Apr 02 2000 01:35:26   3comoscfg.cfg
   5 (*)   -rw-   4221603  Apr 02 2000 01:33:28   s3n03_03_02s168p15.app
7239 KB total (1811 KB free)
(*) -with main attribute   (b) -with backup attribute
(*b) -with both main and backup attribute

Finally, the configuration needs to be saved.

<4500>save

Configuring a port for a specific VLAN on a 3Com 4500 switch

Let's say I have a 3Com 4500 10/100Mb switch deployed as an edge switch. 

In this instance, port 1 on this switch needs to be configured to support a Wireless AP connecting to a central Wireless Switch trough VLAN 1.

After connecting to the switch, either trough a serial cable or using telnet, the following commands need to be used to achieve this:

<4500>sys
System View: return to User View with Ctrl+Z.
[4500]vlan 1
[4500-vlan1]description Wireless_Test
[4500-vlan1]interface Ethernet 1/0/1
[4500-Ethernet1/0/1]port link-type trunk
[4500-Ethernet1/0/1]port trunk permit vlan 1
[4500-Ethernet1/0/1]port trunk pvid vlan 1
[4500-Ethernet1/0/1]description Wireless_Test

After saving the configuration, any wireless clients should be able to connect to a Wireless AP plugged into port 1 and get a DHCP address.