Firmware updates of Dell PowerConnect 6224/6248 switches

Who fools around with switches that are over 15 years old?  Well I do!  They still work, and when basic 1gb connectivity is all that is needed they still work, why not?  Besides new 24 port managed switches aren't exactly free.

Often the firmware on these switches is so old and insecure, that even if the Web GUI is enabled it's a struggle to get it function properly. Thus it is necessary to do the operation from either an SSH session or preferably the local console/serial port.  The newest firmware v3.3.18 is from 2019, so it isn't great in terms of being updated, but it's better than the original 2007 code! 

Here is the basic steps to update the firmware on them. 

1. Obtain and unpack the firmware from Dell.  Make note of the location of the files. https://www.dell.com/support/home/en-us/product-support/product/powerconnect-6224/drivers

2. Obtain and install a terminal software (i.e. Putty or TeraTerm).  Connect to the switch.

3. Obtain and install a TFTP server software (i.e. TFTpd64), point the server to the location of the unpacked firmware files.

4. from the SSH session, enter these commands:

-en

-copy tftp://address-of-tftp-server/firmware-file-name.stk image

-show ver (make note of which image has the newer firmware)

-boot system image1  (or image2 depending on your system)

-copy running-config startup-config

-reload

5. IF GOING FROM FIRMWARE v2.X TO v3.X; During the boot process, choose option #2 to get the alternate boot menu, then choose option #7 "update the boot code", then normal boot.  Failure to do this will cause the system to boot loop.

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