Downgrade Procedure

Downgrade Procedure

To downgrade PIX from Version 7.x to Version 6.x, use the downgrade command instead of the copy tftp flash command. Failure to use the downgrade command will cause the PIX to go into a boot loop.

When the PIX is upgraded from 6.x to 7.x, the 6.x startup configuration is saved in Flash with the file name downgrade.cfg. This configuration can be reviewed before downgrade by issuing the command more flash:downgrade.cfg from an enable prompt in 7.0. When you follow the downgrade procedure, which is outlined in the steps that follow, this configuration will be restored to the device when it is downgraded.

Additionally, if the PIX is upgraded via Monitor Mode, the previous 6.x binary image will be saved in Flash as image_old.bin. You can verify that this image exists by issuing the show flash: command on 7.0. If the image exists on Flash, you can use this image, instead of loading the image from a TFTP server.

Work through the following steps to downgrade the version from 7.x to 6.x on the PIX firewall:

1.
Enter the downgrade command and specify the location of the image that you want to downgrade to.

PIX# downgrade tftp:///

For example, to downgrade to Version 6.3.4 from TFTP server, execute the following command:

PIX# downgrade tftp://10.1.1.50/pix634.bin

If you upgraded your PIX from Monitor Mode, the old binary image is still saved in Flash. Use the following command to downgrade back to that image:

PIX# downgrade flash:/image_old.bin

2.
A Warning message appears alerting you that the Flash is about to be formatted. Press enter to continue.

This command will reformat the flash and automatically reboot the system.
Do you wish to continue? [confirm]

The image will now be copied over into RAM, and the startup configuration is also copied into RAM.

Buffering image
!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Buffering startup config

All items have been buffered successfully.
3.
A second warning message appears indicating that the Flash will now be formatted. Do NOT interrupt this process or the Flash may become corrupt. Press enter to continue with the format.

If the flash reformat is interrupted or fails, data in flash will be lost
and the system might drop to monitor mode.
Do you wish to continue? [confirm]

The Flash is now formatted and the old image installed, and the PIX is rebooted.

Acquiring exclusive access to flash
Installing the correct file system for the image and saving the buffered
 data
!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Flash downgrade succeeded

Rebooting....

4.
The PIX will now boot up to the normal prompt.