Step 1: Make sure the IOS is on the Cisco USB Drive
Cisco IOS devices typically use their flash memory to store the IOS image. On most routers, this flash memory can be easily replaced. On some switches, it is integrated in the device and can’t be replaced. The USB ports on a router are usually USB 2.0, but check the specifications; Ideally, USB flash can hold multiple copies of the Cisco IOS and multiple router configurations, and you can use it to easily move and copy those IOS files and configurations from router to router Ideally, USB flash can hold multiple copies of the Cisco IOS.
For this, I am using a Lexar 4Gb drive.
Step 2: Insert drive in the USB port on the back of the switch
Once you are consoled into the switch, you can insert the USB drive into the back of the switch. There is only one place it will plug in. You will see 'usbflash0: has been inserted' come up on the screen..
Warning! If it says device needs to be formated first. Format the stick on your switch. Use 'format usbflash0:' Don't waste time trying to format it on your computer.
Step 3: Copy the IOS into Flash: on the switch
This is done with the following command: copy usbflash0:c3750e-universalk9-mz.122-58.SE2.bin flash:
This will copy the .bin file on the USB into the flash memory of the switch. If you do a 'sh flash:' on the switch, you will see both of them listed in there.
Cisco Command To Copy From Usb To Flash
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dir
Directory of flash:/
2 -rwx 7728 Jan 16 2014 14:22:00 -06:00 vlan.dat
3 -rwx 2072 Feb 13 2014 07:58:36 -06:00 multiple-fs
461 -rwx 57686 Feb 13 2014 07:58:36 -06:00 config.text
4 -rwx 5309 Feb 13 2014 07:58:36 -06:00 private-config.text
6 drwx 512 Feb 28 1993 18:10:34 -06:00 c3750e-universalk9-mz.122-55.SE2
6 drwx 512 Feb 12 2014 18:10:34 -06:00 c3750e-universalk9-mz.122-58.SE2
Step 4: Tell switch to boot to the new IOS - and reboot
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switch#config t
switch#(config)boot system c3750e-universalk9-mz.122-58.SE2.bin
switch#(config)exit
switch#reload
switch#(confirm) y
Step 5: Switch boots to new IOS - Remove Old IOS from Flash
Cisco Copy From Usb To Flash
Once the switch boots back up to the new IOS, you can delete the old one out of flash. This is done with the following command:
Copy Cisco Ios To Usb
switch#delete /recursive /force flash:c3750e-universalk9-mz.122-55.SE2.bin