A: Yes. Use:
rommon 1 > boot usbflash0:asr1000-rommon.173-1r.spa.pkg
But for upgrade, use rommon-upgrade usbflash0: . asr1000-rommon.173-1r.spa.pkg
copy tftp://your-server/asr1000-rommon.173-1r.spa.pkg bootflash:/
If you manage Cisco ASR1000 series routers (1001, 1002, 1004, 1006, etc.), you’ve likely come across the file:
asr1000-rommon.173-1r.spa.pkg A: Yes
At first glance, it looks like just another package. But this file is ROMMON (ROM Monitor) – the low-level boot firmware that initializes the hardware before the IOS-XE image loads. Upgrading it is rare but sometimes critical. But for upgrade, use rommon-upgrade usbflash0:
Upgrading ROMMON is safe but requires precision. A power loss during ROMMON write can brick the router. Follow these steps exactly.
Understanding asr1000-rommon.173-1r.spa.pkg: A Critical ROMMON Upgrade for Cisco ASR1000 Series