Step by Step configuration to upgrade Firmware of a DELL PowerConnect 27xx series Switch

Step by Step configuration to upgrade Firmware of a DELL PowerConnect Switch:

I have tested this on DELL PowerConnect 2716 Switch, but it should also work on any DELL PowerConnect switch that doens't have a serial cable.


Here are some steps that I thought will be helpful for those who needs them to apply the firmware on a DELL SWITCH:

1. The DELL Switch must be in managed mode, which means it must have a static IP so you can access it.
   The switch has a light in front, if the "Manage Mode" light is off then click on the "Managed Mode" on the right
   using a pin , this will make the switch in a managed mode state, it will change the default IP to: 192.168.2.1.

2. static IP of your computer to 192.168.2.200:

3. Access the switch using Internet Explorer: http://192.168.2.1/
   DELL PowerConnect Default username is: admin and password is blank

4. Take a note of the Firmware Version and Boot Version, and the Service Tag of the Switch
   It is all in the "Switch Status" Left Tab.

5. Go to DELL Support website: http://support.dell.com/
   using the Service Tag download the latest Firmware for the switch / or the Boot Update.
   create a new folder named DELL on your "C:" drive (C:\DELL) and copy the Firwmare there

6. Download TFTP Software: http://tftpserver.codeplex.com/
   and install it

Click on configure, add and choose 'pick', choose your network card with the assosicated IP:

   192.168.2.200 we assigned before

the root path will be "c:\dell".

NOTES: :make sure you allow port "69" or temporary disable windows firewall and you that the TFTP Server is started

7. Applying the firmware to the switch:

Under "File Download' it is where we need to apply the latest firmware
there are two firmware to choose: Boot Code and Software Image, when you download the zip file from DELL website then
the extracted file will indicate which file is boot code and which is the software image.
settings:

 TFTP Server Address will be your computer IP we assigned: 192.168.2.200

and the name of the firmware file and click on "Apply changes",
make sure you choose the appropriate firmware at the destination file "Software Image" or "Boot Code"

Once you click Apply then there will be three messages:

the file is currently being download...  then afterwards: The file download is completed

and then Activating the new software image....

Notes:
if you are getting the error: Unable to connect to TFTP server at specified address.
then there could be serveral options:
1. disable the firewall or one of the configuration in the TFTP Server is wrong.
2. You didn't start the TFTP Server
3. You didn't setup a folder: c:\dell
4. the Image file is not correctly spelled in the c:\dell



It is recommended to change the default password for the switch once it is on the network.