I decided to upgrade the IOS firmware of my Cisco audio-gear switch today. However, I discovered that it’s a discontinued product, and Cisco has removed the firmware downloads for it.
software.cisco.com/download/home/282644731/type/280805680/release/15.0.2-SE11
I’d still like to do this upgrade FWIW. Discontinued or not, I figure it’s better to be on the latest, final release.
Does anyone with this switch have a copy of the latest firmware that you can share?
I’ve never updated the fw on any of my cisco switches and use them unconfigured as from the factory. Never had a problem. Is this something I need to worry about?
Likewise, I don’t have any problems. The 2960 has been rock solid as an unmanaged switch for my audio gear sub-network (NDS, Roon ROCK NUC and rooExtend/rooUPnP Raspberry Pi).
However, as a general principle, I like to keep all devices on my network updated for stability and network security.
OTOH, if your home network isn’t infected with malware, the Cisco switch is stable, and you don’t live with any hackers, I wouldn’t lose too much sleep over it.
In any case, I’ve been meaning to do a firmware update on this switch for a long time, but hadn’t gotten around to it until now. I procrastinated because updating it is bit of a PIA.
When I got my 2960 a couple of years ago, I updated the firmware, after which the web GUI link displayed, but many of the features on that page just dont do anything. Thankfully it still works. I’m sure if I get another one, I will still do a firmware update, because FOMO on an important fix/improvement
Unless you’re familiar with the update process, I’d be leaving well alone, unless you’re also short a doorstop 
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ATB, J
Log into Cisco support and you can download the software. Note you are referring to software, not firmware here.
c2960c405-universalk9-mz.152-7.E12.bin
dated April 2025 and available on the Cisco software support site.
Note for commercial software you will almost certainly need a support licence - or valid support account to legally obtain the software
The sort of things Cisco would be adding or remedying in a software patch are very, very unlikely to be causing you any issues.
With a factory reset switch you’ll get a device which will work without issue in 99.999% of home network setups.
Many software patches are for added features to Web GUI which most will not use, or some obscure vulnerability where the CVE number requires a huge level of effort to exploit which would only return any reward against a large corporate,
Keep your fridge patched though, I hear those can be dangerous,
I just read there is some kind of Cisco hack going on, like a data breach thing, should I be worried about my 2960? I just moved and have not installed it yet, so might hold off for a while.
Most software patches late in the life cycle of a product will be addressing security vulnerabilities or subtle more unusual configuration bug fixes. Typically new features are not usually added in software updates in commercial products like this for obvious reasons .. which is unlike consumer products.
I agree it is unlikely such a software update will be relevant where most here are using it as a simple domestic network switch and as such are hardly scratching the surface of the devices capability.
No this was related to a theft of some source code and development system info, which exposed some poor coding which could be exploited in some circumstances if you logged onto the switch..
This nothing to do with user data, which is often associated with data leaks.
Yes the later software addresses the poor coding. Not really relevant for the vast majority here who are simply using the devices as simple network switches in a domestic setup, and most commercial setups will have used later software versions.
Thanks Simon, as someone who had their Bank account/phone hacked a couple of months ago, I hate hearing about these things.
I miss the days of simple paper receipts etc.
You need to go back to school to figure out everything these days it seems.
Passwords for this and that drive me crazy.
Yeah indeed . but I think you are conflating two quite separate things here, so please don’t worry on this.
I’d be far more concerned and careful with using your smart phone, downloading apps to your phone or opening links on emails or texts. As well as keeping devices that communicate to the Internet firmware/software updated.
That’s how they got me, I clicked on a link.
Yep the most common attack method.. in cyber vulnerability vernacular it’s called Social Engineering.
Thanks Simon. I registered, but yes, it’s asking for a validated company address in order to download.
BTW, I just checked the current software version on my 2960 and found that I’m currently on version 12.2.x:
Switch>show version
Cisco IOS Software, C2960 Software (C2960-LANBASEK9-M), Version 12.2(50)SE5, RELEASE SOFTWARE (fc1)
Technical Support: http://www.cisco.com/techsupport
Copyright (c) 1986-2010 by Cisco Systems, Inc.
Compiled Tue 28-Sep-10 13:44 by prod_rel_team
Image text-base: 0x00003000, data-base: 0x01400000
ROM: Bootstrap program is C2960 boot loader
BOOTLDR: C2960 Boot Loader (C2960-HBOOT-M) Version 12.2(44r)SE4, RELEASE SOFTWARE (fc1)
Switch uptime is 1 week, 4 hours, 47 minutes
System returned to ROM by power-on
System image file is "flash:c2960-lanbasek9-mz.122-50.SE5/c2960-lanbasek9-mz.122-50.SE5.bin"
While googling for info, I did come across a couple of ‘bricked it’ horror stories. At least in some cases, it apparently occurred due to upgrade attempts with the wrong Cisco software file.
You can never or almost never totally brick a regular Cisco device with a software file update, as it has a bootstrap supervisor (ROMmon) function that allows you to recover from a bad software upgrade that has otherwise stopped the switch from booting. You can look up the details on the web but that is a bit more involved.
I suggest not upgrading the ROMmon firmware separately from the software and I never have done in small single board devices. The device should do that automatically when executing a valid software file.. and there is also an upgrade backup system there.. making the switch almost indestructible.
When you upgrade the software binary file, it is usually best to leave the old file there in the boot directory as well to recover back to in the event of an issue.. it’s quicker than faffing around using TFTP or USB drive to copy the last good software file back.
Great tips, thanks.
I wish the C2960PD-8TT-L had a USB port 
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