We ran into an issue where a Cisco 3850 switch (3850-12X48U) lost the ability to use the its C3850-NM-8-10G network module after a firmware upgrade. The module had been working for a few years prior to the upgrade. We upgraded from 16.03.07 to 16.12.05 and upon booting we saw messages such as:
*** Uplink FRU module hardware authentication failed. ***
and
%PLATFORM_PM-6-FRULINK_UNKNOWN_INSERTED: Unsupported FRU module inserted in slot 1
When we ran “show inventory” the module was not listed. We then downgraded back to the old version and we received the same messages! We had a few other identical network modules, so we swapped them but the problem persisted. A module that ultimately worked was the C9300-NM-8X which is a 9300 switch module, but it appears identical to the C3850-NM-8-10G. I have ordered more of these to keep as spares in case this happens again!
The following Cisco bug seems to line up with my experience: https://bst.cloudapps.cisco.com/bugsearch/bug/CSCvd86925/ Even though the bug claims the problem is fixed in 16.3.X and above, however I can confirm this is not the case.
The only solution is to never upgrade! =)
Hello,
I’m experiencing the same issue whenever I try to upgrade WS-C3850-12X48U-S using cat3k_caa-universalk9.16.12.06.SPA.bin. I’m unable to detect the C3850-NM-8-10G module. I’ve restarted numerous times and the same issue happens.
I ran into this problem again and found that when I downgraded to cat3k_caa-universalk9.SPA.03.07.05.E.152-3.E5.bin it worked again. Ugggg, it was such a pain! There may be another version somewhere in one of the newer releases, but I haven’t found it yet.
A word of caution, there’s a change in the password hashes from newer to older versions and you could lock yourself out of the config unless you manually set your password hashes to an older hash method.
I am having the same issue with the C-3850-NM8-10G module on two Cisco WS-3850-12X48U-L switches. I upgraded to 16.12.8 and then to 16.12.9 and neither worked with the C-3850-NM8-10G module. It was not recognized in a show inventory, nor did it work. However, I can confirm that installing the new C9300-NM-8X in my 3850 switches does work! I will be incrementally down grading until i find an IOS that works with the module, or someone has a solution for this.