Cisco Convert Bin To Pkg Better

Run the following command (varies slightly by platform):

For Catalyst 9000 switches:

switch# request platform software package expand file flash:cat9k_iosxe.17.09.01.SPA.bin to flash:

For ASR 1000 routers:

router# request platform software package expand file bootflash:asr1000-universalk9.17.09.01.SPA.bin to bootflash:

...

Now you can install using:

install add file flash:packages/packages.conf
install activate
install commit

| Method | Command | Support Level | Risk | Use Case | |--------|---------|---------------|------|-----------| | On-box expansion | request platform software package expand | Full Cisco TAC support | Low | Recommended | | Manual extraction via Linux tar | tar -xvf image.bin | Unofficial, unsupported | High | Lab only | | Pre-converted PKG bundle | Direct download from CCO | Supported | None | Best if available |

They automated packaging in a small script (checked into their internal Git): cisco convert bin to pkg better

Every run produced logs and a build artifact hash so auditors could match deployed software back to the exact packaging operation.

Cisco’s supported, non-deprecated method is on-box expansion using the CLI. Run the following command (varies slightly by platform):

switch# show install log | last 50

This reveals exactly which PKG failed and why. Far better than guessing.

boot system flash:packages.conf