SystemEXEC

show platform

Displays the hardware and software inventory of all line cards, modules, and their operational status on a Cisco IOS-XR router.

Overview

The 'show platform' command is a fundamental diagnostic tool on Cisco IOS-XR routers that provides a snapshot of the hardware components installed in the chassis, their operational status, and configuration state. This command is essential for network engineers to verify that all line cards, route processors, fabric cards, power supplies, and fans are present and functioning correctly. The concept behind this command is to offer a centralized view of the hardware inventory, which is critical for ensuring system reliability and performance. On IOS-XR, the platform is modular, with each line card having its own CPU running the IOS-XR operating system, unlike traditional IOS where the supervisor handles all processing. Therefore, 'show platform' helps identify if each card's CPU is up and running the software. It is typically used during initial system bring-up, after hardware changes, or when troubleshooting connectivity issues that may stem from a faulty card. The command fits into troubleshooting workflows as the first step in isolating hardware problems: if a card shows 'FAILED' or 'N/A', further investigation with 'show logging' or 'show diag' may be warranted. Platform-specific behavior on IOS-XR includes the use of the 'node-id' parameter to filter output for a specific card, and the 'detail' option to reveal serial numbers and firmware versions, which is useful for inventory management and ensuring consistent software versions across the chassis.

Syntax·EXEC

When to Use This Command

Verify that all line cards are online and operational after a system reload or card insertion.
Identify the hardware revision, serial number, and firmware version of a specific module for RMA or inventory tracking.
Troubleshoot a card that is in 'N/A' or 'FAILED' state to determine if it's a hardware or software issue.
Check the software version running on each node to ensure consistency across the chassis.

Parameters

Parameter	Syntax	Required	Description
node-id	node-id	Optional	Specifies a particular node (e.g., 0/0/CPU0) to display information only for that node. If omitted, all nodes are shown.
location	location node-id	Optional	Alternative syntax to specify the node location. Same as node-id.
brief	brief	Optional	Displays a concise version of the output, typically showing only node, type, and state.
detail	detail	Optional	Provides extended information including hardware revision, serial number, firmware version, software version, boot time, and uptime.
summary	summary	Optional	Shows a summary of the platform, including total number of nodes and their aggregate state.
version	version	Optional	Displays the software version running on each node.
hardware	hardware	Optional	Shows hardware-specific information such as part number and revision.
software	software	Optional	Displays software version details for each node.
all	all	Optional	Combines all available information (detail, version, hardware, software) into one output.

Command Examples

Basic show platform output

show platform

Node              Type              PLIM        State           Config State
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
0/0/CPU0          A9K-MOD80-SE      N/A         IOS XR RUN       PWR,NSHUT,MON
0/0/0             A9K-MPA-20X1GE    N/A         OPERATIONAL      PWR,NSHUT,MON
0/1/CPU0          A9K-MOD80-SE      N/A         IOS XR RUN       PWR,NSHUT,MON
0/1/0             A9K-MPA-20X1GE    N/A         OPERATIONAL      PWR,NSHUT,MON
0/RP0/CPU0        A9K-RSP440-SE     N/A         IOS XR RUN       PWR,NSHUT,MON
0/RP1/CPU0        A9K-RSP440-SE     N/A         IOS XR RUN       PWR,NSHUT,MON
0/FT0             A9K-FAN-E         N/A         OPERATIONAL      PWR,NSHUT,MON
0/FT1             A9K-FAN-E         N/A         OPERATIONAL      PWR,NSHUT,MON
0/PM0             A9K-PWR-AC        N/A         OPERATIONAL      PWR,NSHUT,MON
0/PM1             A9K-PWR-AC        N/A         OPERATIONAL      PWR,NSHUT,MON

Each row shows a node (slot/bay/CPU), its hardware type, PLIM (Physical Layer Interface Module) type, current operational state, and configured state. 'IOS XR RUN' means the card is fully operational. 'OPERATIONAL' for non-CPU nodes indicates the module is functioning. 'PWR,NSHUT,MON' means power is applied, not administratively shut down, and monitoring is enabled.

Show platform with detail

show platform detail

Node: 0/0/CPU0
Type: A9K-MOD80-SE
State: IOS XR RUN
Config State: PWR,NSHUT,MON
Hardware Revision: 1.0
Serial Number: FOC12345678
Firmware Version: 1.0
Software Version: 6.6.3
Boot Time: 2023-10-01 12:34:56
Uptime: 30 days, 12 hours, 34 minutes

Node: 0/0/0
Type: A9K-MPA-20X1GE
State: OPERATIONAL
Config State: PWR,NSHUT,MON
Hardware Revision: 2.0
Serial Number: FOC87654321
Firmware Version: 2.1
Software Version: N/A
Boot Time: 2023-10-01 12:35:10
Uptime: 30 days, 12 hours, 33 minutes

The detail view adds hardware revision, serial number, firmware version, software version, boot time, and uptime for each node. This is useful for inventory management and verifying firmware consistency.

Understanding the Output

The 'show platform' command output is organized in a table with columns: Node, Type, PLIM, State, and Config State. The Node column identifies the location in the chassis using the format slot/bay/CPU or slot/subslot/port. For example, 0/0/CPU0 is the CPU of the line card in slot 0, bay 0. The Type column shows the hardware model number, such as A9K-MOD80-SE for a modular line card. The PLIM column indicates the physical layer interface module type; it may show 'N/A' if the card is integrated or the PLIM is not present. The State column is the most critical for troubleshooting: 'IOS XR RUN' means the card's CPU is fully operational with the IOS-XR software running; 'OPERATIONAL' for non-CPU modules (e.g., MPA, fan, power supply) indicates normal function; 'N/A' means the node is not present or not recognized; 'FAILED' indicates a hardware fault; 'BOOTING' means the card is still initializing. The Config State column shows administrative settings: 'PWR' indicates power is applied, 'NSHUT' means not administratively shut down, 'MON' means monitoring is enabled. A healthy system will show all expected nodes in 'IOS XR RUN' or 'OPERATIONAL' state. If a card is missing or failed, it will appear as 'N/A' or 'FAILED', requiring further investigation.

Configuration Scenarios

Verifying a New Line Card Installation

After inserting a new line card in slot 0/2, you need to confirm it is recognized and operational.

Topology

Chassis with slots 0/0, 0/1, 0/2. New card in 0/2.

Steps

1.Insert the line card into the chassis slot.
2.Wait for the card to boot (LEDs may indicate status).
3.Enter the command 'show platform' to verify the card appears and its state.

Configuration

! No configuration needed; the card is auto-detected.

Verify: Check that node 0/2/CPU0 shows state 'IOS XR RUN' and any associated MPA shows 'OPERATIONAL'.

Watch out: If the card remains in 'N/A' state, it may not be fully seated or may be incompatible with the chassis or software version.

Troubleshooting with This Command

When troubleshooting hardware issues on Cisco IOS-XR, the 'show platform' command is your first line of defense. Start by running the command without any options to get a high-level view of all nodes. Look for any node that is not in the expected state. For line card CPUs, the expected state is 'IOS XR RUN'. If you see 'FAILED', the card has a hardware fault and may need to be replaced. If you see 'BOOTING', the card is still initializing; wait a few minutes and recheck. If the state is 'N/A', the card is not recognized; this could be due to a loose connection, incompatible hardware, or a software issue. For non-CPU modules like MPAs, fans, or power supplies, the expected state is 'OPERATIONAL'. If a fan or power supply shows 'FAILED', it may need replacement. Also check the Config State column: if a card shows 'SHUT' (shutdown), it is administratively disabled; use 'no shutdown' in the appropriate configuration mode to enable it. If a card is missing from the output entirely, it may not be powered or the chassis may not detect it. In such cases, check the physical connection and power supply. The 'show platform detail' command can provide additional clues such as serial numbers and firmware versions, which can help identify if a card has outdated firmware that might cause instability. For persistent issues, consult the system logs with 'show logging' or use 'show diag' for deeper diagnostics.

CCNA Exam Tips

Remember that 'IOS XR RUN' is the normal operational state for CPU nodes; 'OPERATIONAL' is for non-CPU modules.

In CCNP SP exams, you may be asked to identify which card is faulty based on the state column.

Know that the 'show platform' command is the first step in hardware troubleshooting; if a card is in 'FAILED' state, you may need to reseat or replace it.

Common Mistakes

Confusing 'IOS XR RUN' with 'OPERATIONAL' – 'IOS XR RUN' is for CPU nodes, 'OPERATIONAL' for other modules.

Assuming a card in 'N/A' state is failed – it could simply be not present or not supported.

Overlooking the Config State column – if a card is 'SHUT' (shutdown), it will not be operational even if the state shows 'IOS XR RUN'.

Platform Notes

On Cisco IOS-XR, the 'show platform' command is more granular than its IOS counterpart. In traditional IOS, 'show version' or 'show inventory' provides similar hardware information but without the per-node operational state. IOS-XR's modular architecture requires tracking each line card's CPU state separately. The equivalent command on Cisco IOS is 'show inventory' or 'show diag', but these do not show the running state of each card. On IOS-XR, the 'show platform' command is available in EXEC mode and does not require any specific privilege level. In newer versions of IOS-XR (e.g., 7.x), the output format may include additional columns like 'SW Status' or 'FW Version'. The command can also be used with XML or JSON output for automation purposes by appending ' | xml' or ' | json'. For chassis with multiple route processors (RPs), the command will show both RPs; if one is in standby, its state may show 'IOS XR RUN' as well, but the active/standby status can be seen with 'show redundancy'. Always ensure you are using the correct node naming convention (slot/bay/CPU) when referencing specific cards in other commands.

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