Official this switch is end-of-support for many years.
Last supported release was K.16.02.0036
Always check the product number is supported and listed in the release notes, and that not for the J8697A in the KB.16.11.xxxx release notes
https://arubanetworking.hpe.com/techdocs/AOS-Switch/RN/K.16.02/AOS-S%20Switch%20K.16.02.0036%20Release%20Notes.pdf
Better consider to replace this switch.
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Marcel Koedijk | MVP Expert 2024 | ACEP | ACMP | ACCP | ACDP | Ekahau ECSE | Not an HPE Employee | Opinions are my own
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Original Message:
Sent: Dec 19, 2025 06:56 AM
From: Phil-HH
Subject: Firmware Upgrade Path
Hi,
have an old Switch E5406zl J8697A! with following Firmware and Boot ROM
Image Size (bytes) Date Version
----------------- ------------ -------- --------------------
Primary Image : 14844423 10/09/11 K.15.06.0008
Secondary Image : 9798890 08/27/09 K.14.41
Boot ROM Version : K.15.19
Default Boot : Primary
In the past there were upgrade paths for newer Firmware. I want to upgrade to at least KB.16.11.0013. Can I upgrade directly and boot rom will be updates automatically as said in release notes?
KB.16.11.0013 uses BootROM KB.16.01.0006 when running on 5400R switches and BootROM KB.16.01.0008 when running on 3810M switches. If your switch has an older version of BootROM, the BootROM will be updated with this version of software.
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