HP has released K.15.16.0004 firmware for the Provision asic switch series (3500/3800/5400/8200/etc). Next to some interesting new features (DHCP Server is now supported and it can be used for the IMC BYOD Portal Redirect), this firmware also enables the old premium license feature permanently on the switches.
Update 8/11/14: This is the direct link to the firmware download:
Premium license background
Originally, Provision firmware required a license for OSPF, Multicast routing, VRRP and some other protocols which were typically required for switches with a Layer3 role in the network.
Since some years, this premium license has been included by default in the new-sold chassis switches (5400/8200). The 3500 got replaced by the 3800, which also has the premium license by default.
This only left people with older 5400/8200 chassis switches and 3500 switches with the basic features, if they wanted to have OSPF, they had to buy the premium license up until this firmware release.
By installing this release on the switches, the premium features are permanently unlocked.
Example upgrade
As I had an older 3500 in the lab which did not have the Premium license, I tested the updated code:
Review the existing system
No license, code is K.15.15.0008
HP-3500-24# show version Image stamp: /ws/swbuildm/rel_nashville_qaoff/code/build/btm(swbuildm_rel_nashville_qaoff_re l_nashville) Sep 11 2014 20:04:14 K.15.15.0008 611 Boot Image: Primary HP-3500-24#
HP-3500-24# show licenses Feature Group License Status -------------------- -------------- premium Not Installed OSPF PIM-SM/DM VRRP QinQ OSPF v3 (IPv6) BGP
Upgrade and reboot
HP-3500-24# copy usb flash K_15_16_0004.swi primary The Primary OS Image will be deleted, continue [y/n]? y Validating and Writing System Software to the Filesystem ... HP-3500-24# HP-3500-24# HP-3500-24# HP-3500-24# reboot System will be rebooted from primary image. Do you want to continue [y/n]? y Rebooting the System HP-3500-24#
Verify the license status after the upgrade
HP-3500-24# show version Image stamp: /ws/swbuildm/rel_orlando_qaoff/code/build/btm(swbuildm_rel_orlando_qaoff_rel_or lando) Oct 3 2014 15:39:52 K.15.16.0004 2565 Boot Image: Primary HP-3500-24# HP-3500-24# show license Feature Group License Status -------------------- -------------- premium Permanent OSPF PIM-SM/DM VRRP QinQ OSPF v3 (IPv6) BGP
Verify the license status after a downgrade
This shows that the license is permanent, so you are not required to stay on this release.
Boot device in older firmware code
HP-3500-24# show flash Image Size (bytes) Date Version ----------------- ------------ -------- -------------- Primary Image : 16719525 10/03/14 K.15.16.0004 Secondary Image : 15925760 09/11/14 K.15.14.0009 Boot ROM Version : K.15.30 Default Boot : Primary HP-3500-24# HP-3500-24# boot system flash secondary System will be rebooted from secondary image. Do you want to continue [y/n]? y ...
Verify version and license
HP-3500-24# show version Image stamp: /ws/swbuildm/rel_memphis_qaoff/code/build/btm(swbuildm_rel_memphis_qaoff_rel_me mphis) Sep 11 2014 19:47:40 K.15.14.0009 606 Boot Image: Secondary HP-3500-24# HP-3500-24# show license Feature Group License Status -------------------- -------------- premium Permanent OSPF PIM-SM/DM VRRP QinQ OSPF v3 (IPv6) BGP
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