Step-by-Step Firmware Upgrade Procedure for Managed Network Switches (Including TP-Link Switches as example)

Purpose This document outlines a standardized procedure for performing firmware upgrades on managed network switches. The procedure is designed to minimize impact on network operations and includes detailed steps for pre-upgrade assessment, configuration backup, firmware upgrade execution, and post-upgrade validation. Additionally, this document provides a vendor-specific example illustrating the upgrade process for TP-Link managed switches.

Scope

This procedure applies to all managed switches within the network and includes:

Generic firmware upgrade steps applicable to all vendors
OEM-specific example for TP-Link switches (GUI-based upgrade)

Home > Enterprise security devices or applications > Step-by-Step Firmware Upgrade Procedure for Managed Network Switches (Including TP-Link Switches as example)

Pre-Upgrade Checks

Before starting a firmware upgrade, ensure the following checks are completed.

a. Check Current Firmware Version

CLI: Use vendor-specific commands such as:

show version
show running-config

GUI: Navigate to:

System Info → Firmware Version

b. Verify Hardware Warranty

Confirm the switch is under warranty or supported for the target firmware version
Verify support status via the vendor support portal using the device serial number

c. Document Network Connectivity

Maintain an updated network diagram showing:
- Connected devices
- VLANs
- Spanning Tree Protocol (STP) topology
Identify critical devices dependent on the switch

d. Confirm Downtime Window

Schedule the upgrade during an approved maintenance window to minimize business impact

Backup Existing Configuration

Backing up the current configuration is mandatory to enable rollback in case of upgrade failure.

a. CLI Backup Example

copy running-config tftp://<TFTP_SERVER_IP>/<switch_name>-backup.cfg

b. GUI Backup

Navigate to:

System Tools → Backup Config → Save Configuration Locally

Verify the integrity of the backup file to ensure it is complete and usable

Firmware Upgrade Preparation

a. Download New Firmware

Download firmware from the official vendor support portal
Ensure firmware compatibility with the switch hardware version

b. Review Release Notes

Verify supported hardware versions
Identify bug fixes, known issues, and behavioral changes

c. Document Pre-Upgrade State

Record the following before the upgrade:

Device uptime
Connected devices
Port utilization
VLAN configuration
STP state

Upgrade Execution (Generic Steps)

a. Access the Switch

CLI: SSH or console access
GUI: HTTPS access via web browser

b. Upload Firmware

CLI:

copy tftp flash

(or vendor-specific command)

GUI: Navigate to:

Firmware Upgrade → Select File → Upload

c. Initiate Upgrade

Confirm upgrade settings
Allow the device to reboot automatically

d. Do Not Interrupt

Do not power off the switch
Do not disconnect network cables
Do not refresh the browser during the upgrade process

Post-Upgrade Validation

a. Verify Firmware Version

Confirm the switch is running the newly installed firmware

b. Validate Network Stability

Ping critical devices
Verify VLAN assignments
Validate STP topology
Review system logs for errors

c. Verify Configuration

Confirm that security and management services remain enabled:
- SSH
- HTTPS
- SNMP (if applicable)

d. Backup Post-Upgrade Configuration

Save the updated configuration locally or to a TFTP server

e. Rollback Plan

If the upgrade fails:
- Restore the previous configuration
- Boot the device using the backup firmware image

TP-Link Switch upgrade Example (GUI-Based Upgrade)

Step 1: Access Web GUI

Open a browser and navigate to:

https://<switch-ip>

If prompted with an SSL warning, select:

Advanced → Accept the Risk and Continue

Step 2: Login

Enter administrator credentials and log in

Step 3: Verify Current Firmware Version

Navigate to:

System → System Info → System Summary

Note the Hardware Version and Firmware Version

Step 4: Navigate to Firmware Upgrade

Go to:

System Tools → Firmware Upgrade

Upload the firmware file downloaded from the TP-Link support portal

Step 5: Upgrade and Reboot

Click Upgrade
Allow firmware upload and automatic reboot
Do not refresh the browser or disconnect the network

Step 6: Monitor Reboot Progress

Wait for the progress bar to complete and device to become reachable

Step 7: Verify SSH Configuration

Navigate to:

Security → Access Security → SSH Config

Ensure:
- SSH: Enabled

Step 8: Verify HTTPS Configuration

Navigate to:

Security → Access Security → HTTPS Config

Ensure:
- HTTPS: Enabled
- Port: 443

Step 9: Post-Upgrade Backup

Navigate to:

System Tools → Backup Config → Save updated configuration

Notes / Best Practices

Perform firmware upgrades only during approved maintenance windows
Always maintain verified configuration and firmware backups
Keep a tested rollback plan available
Validate all critical services post-upgrade
Maintain version history and documentation for audit and reference

10. Conclusion

Firmware upgrades on managed switches are critical maintenance activities that must be executed carefully to ensure network stability and security. Following a structured upgrade procedure—including pre-upgrade checks, proper configuration backups, controlled upgrade execution, and thorough post-upgrade validation—significantly reduces the risk of downtime or configuration loss. Adhering to vendor guidelines and maintaining detailed documentation ensures safe and efficient firmware management across the network.