Ncsw10301 Unable To Download The Image From Cisco.com Invalid Metadata Trans-id Direct

If you want, tell me your device model, NX-OS/IOS version, exact command you ran, and the full error output (copy/paste) and I’ll provide targeted next steps.

(Invoking related search suggestions...)

The error NCSW10301 typically indicates a failure in downloading metadata or compatibility matrices from Cisco.com, often due to expired certificates, back-end API issues, or outdated software versions. 1. Manual Workaround (Recommended)

If you need to proceed immediately, the most reliable fix is to bypass the automated download:

Download Manually: Visit the Cisco Software Central and download the specific IOS/image to your local machine.

Import to Catalyst Center: Use the Manual Import feature within the Image Repository to upload the image directly from your local drive. This bypasses the API calls causing the "invalid metadata" error. 2. Known Software Bugs and Updates

Bug CSCwd15921: This specific bug causes the ISSU Compatibility Matrix (comp_matrix.xml) to fail with the NCSW10301 error even if the image itself downloads.

Field Notice FN74033: Cisco warned that software image management (SWIM) features in older versions would stop downloading metadata after April 26, 2024. If you are on an affected version, an upgrade is required to restore automated downloads.

Bug CSCwo76764: In Catalyst Center 2.3.7.9, this error can occur if the product is not properly registered to call the service. 3. Verification and Connectivity Checks If you want, tell me your device model,

KGV Update: Ensure your system has the latest Known Good Values (KGV) file. Check this under System > Settings > Integrity Verification.

Certificate Check: Expired trustpool certificates can break the secure tunnel to Cisco's servers. Verify your certificates under Settings > Trust & Privacy > Trustpool.

Proxy Configuration: If you are behind a proxy, verify that the Catalyst Center can reach cloudsso.cisco.com. Issues with tunneling through a proxy can cause download artifacts to fail, as noted in bug CSCwi84672.

Which version of Catalyst Center are you currently running? This will help determine if you are affected by the April 2024 end-of-life for metadata downloads. DNA CENTER IMAGE REPOSITORY ERROR NCSW10301

The error NCSW10301 typically occurs within Cisco Catalyst Center (formerly DNA Center) during Software Image Management (SWIM) operations when the platform fails to fetch the necessary image or metadata from Cisco.com. Core Cause: Metadata and API Failures

The "invalid metadata trans-id" specific error indicates a breakdown in the communication between your local appliance and Cisco’s backend.

Metadata Transaction IDs: These are unique identifiers generated for each request and typically expire within 60 minutes. If the transaction times out or is corrupted by an external provider's API issues, the download fails.

Bug CSCwd15921: This documented Cisco bug specifically causes the NCSW10301 error when the image itself downloads but the associated ISSU Compatibility Matrix fails due to an invalid transaction ID. Contributing Factors # Stop the image management service systemctl stop

External API Issues: Cisco has acknowledged sporadic issues with external providers that handle the APIs for metadata delivery.

Service Registration: In Catalyst Center 2.3.7.9, this error can also trigger if the product is not properly registered or approved to call the download service.

Field Notice 74033: Specific older releases of Cisco DNA Center will completely lose the ability to download images and metadata from Cisco.com after April 26, 2024, due to certificate and connection changes.

Proxy and Certificates: Misconfigured proxies or expired certificate chains in the Cisco DNA Center Trustpool can prevent successful API calls to api.cisco.com. Recommended Workarounds

If the automated SWIM process continues to fail, use these manual steps to bypass the API error:

Manual Import: Download the software image (and the ISSU matrix if needed) to a local workstation or internal server directly from the Cisco Software Download portal.

Upload to Repository: Manually import the file into the Catalyst Center Image Repository. This skips the metadata transaction requirement.

Update KGV: Ensure your Integrity Verification application has the latest Known Good Values (KGV) file, which you can import manually under System > Settings > Integrity Verification. AI responses may include mistakes. Learn more Even if you are logged in

Look at the complete log entry. Often, there are preceding or following lines with more detail:

grep -i "ncsw10301" /var/log/crosswork/*.log

On Intersight Appliance:

cat /var/log/intersight/firmware_download.log | grep "trans-id"

# Stop the image management service
systemctl stop crosswork-image-mgmt
Intersight often pulls images directly from Cisco’s repository for UCS servers, HyperFlex, or Fabric Interconnects. A network interruption or stale metadata cache can trigger this.
Corporate proxies or next-gen firewalls sometimes scan or modify HTTPS traffic. If the proxy injects content or alters headers, the cryptographic integrity of the metadata (including the trans-id) breaks.

Note full error text, time, and trans-id (if shown).










If alternate method succeeds, use that as workaround and then investigate HTTPS metadata path.








Capture packet traces (pcap) on the path or use packet capture on the device if supported to see the HTTP(S) exchange and metadata headers.
Save all logs and timestamps.

Even if you are logged in, the specific Smart Account or Virtual Account may not be entitled to download that image. In such cases, Cisco’s server returns a placeholder transaction ID that the client rejects as invalid.

When attempting to perform a synchronization or download operation (typically a Smart Licensing Authorization update) via a Cisco management interface, the operation fails. The system returns the error: invalid metadata trans-id NCSW10301.
This prevents the local licensing manager from updating the authorized entitlements, potentially causing devices to fall out of compliance or into an "Unlicensed" state.