The .bin file is highly compressed. When converted to .pkg , it expands significantly.
To understand why you need to convert your files, you must understand how Cisco IOS-XE operates in its two booting states. Bundle Mode ( .bin file)
Save this as c2p_converter.py :
Sample successful output:
Because the switch doesn't need to decompress a large .bin file into RAM, it boots faster. cisco convert bin to pkg better
Why convert .bin to .pkg?
This command safely deletes orphaned packages, aborted upgrade files, and unused software images from the flash directory. Step 3: Expand the BIN File into PKG Components Bundle Mode (
No need to perform expansion on live production switches.
# Create a minimal PKG manifest manifest = f"""Package: converted_firmware Step 3: Expand the BIN File into PKG
If you are facing during the install add command, or if you are unsure about space availability on your switch, let me know your model number (e.g., Catalyst 9300) and I can provide specific cleanup commands.
For network engineers managing Cisco Catalyst switches (such as the 9000 series, 3850, or 8000 series routers) running IOS XE, the choice between running in ( .bin file) and Install Mode ( .pkg files) is critical.