Table Of Contents
Cisco PIX Firewall Release Notes Version 6.1(1)
Cisco IOS Software Interoperability
Cisco VPN Client Interoperability
Determining the Software Version
Upgrading to a New Software Release
New Hardware Features in Release 6.1(1)
Changed Hardware Features in Release 6.1(1)
New Software Features in Release 6.1(1)
Maximum Configuration File Size
Downloading the PIX Firewall Image
Resolved Caveats - Release 6.1(1)
Software Configuration Tips on the Cisco TAC Home Page
Obtaining Technical Assistance
Obtaining Additional Publications and Information
Cisco PIX Firewall Release Notes Version 6.1(1)
December 2001
Contents
This document includes the following sections:
•
Obtaining Technical Assistance
•
Obtaining Additional Publications and Information
Introduction
The Cisco PIX Firewall provides secure networking and NAT (Network Address Translation). Version 6.1(1) adds support, optional default configurations, and enhancements to features introduced in earlier releases for the PIX 501. The PIX 506 has an expanded DHCP server pool (up to 256 adresses).
System Requirements
The sections that follow list the system requirements for operating a PIX Firewall with version 6.1(1) software.
Memory Requirements
Note
All PIX Firewall units require at least 32 MB of RAM memory or the PIX Firewall will not boot. In addition, all units except the PIX 501 and PIX 506 require 16 MB of Flash memory to boot. (The PIX 501 and PIX 506 have 8 MB of memory, which works correctly with version 6.1(1).)
The following table lists Flash memory requirements for this release:
We highly recommend that you use Livengood Gigabit Ethernet cards in systems with a 64-bit/66 MHz PCI bus; for example, in a PIX 535. (If you use the Livengood Gigabit Ethernet cards in a PIX Firewall, the system RAM should be at least 128 MB.) For a PIX Firewall with only a 32-bit/33 MHz bus, such as the PIX 520 and PIX 525, we recommend that you use Wiseman Gigabit Ethernet cards.
Software Requirements
The following is required for version 6.1(1):
1.
The PIX Firewall image no longer fits on a diskette. If you are using a PIX Firewall unit with a diskette drive, you need to download the Boothelper file from Cisco Connection Online (CCO) to let you download the PIX Firewall image with TFTP.
2.
If you are upgrading from version 4 or earlier and want to use the IPSec, SSH, PDM, or VPN features or commands, you must have a new 56-bit DES activation key. Before getting a new activation key, write down your old key in case you want to retrograde to version 4. You can have a new 56-bit DES activation key sent to you by completing the form at the following website:
http://www.cisco.com/pcgi-bin/Software/FormManager/formgenerator.pl?pid=221&fid=324
3.
If you are using PFSS (PIX Firewall Syslog Server), we recommend you install Windows NT Service Pack 6 to fix year 2000 conflicts in Windows NT.
4.
If you are upgrading from a previous PIX Firewall version, save your configuration and write down your activation key and serial number. Refer to "Upgrading to a New Software Release" for new installation requirements.
Cisco IOS Software Interoperability
Cisco VPN Client Interoperability
Determining the Software Version
Use the show version command to verify the software version of your PIX Firewall unit.
Upgrading to a New Software Release
If you are a registered cisco.com user, you can obtain software from the following site:
http://www.cisco.com/pcgi-bin/tablebuild.pl/pix
To register for a cisco.com login, go to the following site:
http://tools.cisco.com/RPF/register/register.do
New and Changed Information
New Hardware Features in Release 6.1(1)
PIX 501
The PIX 501 joins the PIX Firewall product line. The PIX 501 offers consumers affordable enterprise-strength firewall and VPN capabilities. The PIX 501 works with cable and xDSL modems and, additionally, ships with a default configuration for easier "plug-n-play" installation.
PIX 535 Interfaces
These practices must be followed to achieve the best possible system performance on the PIX 535:
•
PIX-1GE-66 interface cards should be installed first in the 64-bit/66 MHz buses before they are installed in the 32-bit/33 MHz bus. If more than four PIX-1GE-66 cards are needed, they may be installed in the 32-bit/33 MHz bus but with limited potential throughput.
•
PIX-1GE and PIX-1FE cards should be installed first in the 32-bit/33 MHz bus before they are installed in the 64-bit/66 MHz buses. If more than five PIX-1GE and/or PIX-1FE cards are needed, they may be installed in a 64-bit/66 MHz bus but doing so will lower that bus speed and limit the potential throughput of any PIX-1GE-66 card installed in that bus.
The PIX-1GE Gigabit Ethernet adaptor is supported in the PIX 535; however, its use is strongly discouraged because maximum system performance with the PIX-1GE card is much lower than that with the PIX-1GE-66 card. The software displays a warning at boot time if a PIX-1GE is detected.
The following table summarizes the performance considerations of the different interface card combinations.
CautionThe PIX-4FE and PIX-VPN-ACCEL cards can only be installed in the 32-bit/33 MHz bus and must never be installed in a 64-bit/66 MHz bus. Installation of these cards in a 64-bit/66 MHz bus may cause the system to hang at boot time.
CautionIf Stateful Failover is enabled, the interface card and bus used for the Stateful Failover LAN port must be equal to or faster than the fastest card used for the network interface ports. For example, if your inside and outside interfaces are PIX-1GE-66 cards installed in bus 0, then your Stateful Failover interface must be a PIX-1GE-66 card installed in bus 1. A PIX-1GE or PIX-1FE card cannot be used in this case, nor can a PIX-1GE-66 card installed in bus 2 or sharing bus 1 with a slower card.
Changed Hardware Features in Release 6.1(1)
Note
Starting with PIX Firewall software version 6.0(1), and in all subsequent higher versions, the PIX Firewall Classic, PIX10000, and PIX 510 platforms are not supported.
New Software Features in Release 6.1(1)
Default Configurations
The PIX 501 is shipped with default configurations as of PIX Firewall software version 6.1(1). For more information on the PIX 501 default configuration, please refer to the Cisco PIX 501 Firewall Quick Start Guide.
The PIX 506 has 25 VPN peers in this release.
DHCP Server Pool
The DCHP server pool of the PIX 506 has been expanded to 256 addresses.
For information on new features in previous PIX Firewall software versions, refer to the following website:
http://www.cisco.com/en/US/products/sw/secursw/ps2120/prod_technical_documentation.html/
Maximum Configuration File Size
For the PIX 525 and PIX 535, the maximum configuration file size limit is increased to 2 MB for PIX Firewall software versions 5.3(2) and later. For other PIX Firewall platforms and earlier software versions, the maximum configuration file size limit remains the same. (In most cases, the optimal maximum configuration size is 1 MB.)
While configuration files up to 2 MB are supported, be aware that such large configuration files can reduce system performance. For example, a large configuration file is likely to noticeably slow execution times in the following situations:
•
While executing commands such as write term and show conf
•
Failover (the configuration synchronization time)
•
During a system reload
Cisco Secure Policy Manager may also experience limitations if a PIX Firewall configuration file near 2 MB is used. Please take these considerations into account when planning and implementing your configuration.
Important Notes
The following section describes important notes for the 6.1(1) release.
AAA Authentication
Configure the access-list specified in Attribute 11 (specifies per-user access-list name) on the PIX Firewall. Otherwise, remove Attribute 11 from the aaa RADIUS server configuration if no access-list is intended for user authentication. If the access-list is not configured on the PIX Firewall when the user attempts to login, the login will fail.
Documentation Correction
In the Configuration Guide for the Cisco Secure PIX Firewall Version 5.3 under "Failover Usage Notes," located at the following website:
http://www.cisco.com/univercd/cc/td/doc/product/iaabu/pix/pix_v53/config/advanced.htm#82528
Step 2 should read as follows.
Perform the following on any switch that connects to the PIX Firewall:
a.
Enable portfast on all ports on the switch that connects directly to the PIX Firewall.
b.
Turn off trunking on all ports on the switch that connects directly to the PIX Firewall.
c.
Turn off channeling on all ports on the switch that connects directly to the PIX Firewall.
d.
Ensure the MSFC is not running a deferred Cisco IOS software version.
Note
Starting in CAT OS 5.4, a new command was added called set port host. Essentially, this is a CLI macro that executes the set spantree portfast enable, set trunk off, and set port channel off commands. This command provides a quick and convenient way to configure host or access ports to a mode that allows the port to forward traffic in less than one second from linkup.
Downloading the PIX Firewall Image
Fast Ethernet cards in 64-bit slots are not visible in monitor mode. This problem means that the TFTP server cannot reside on one of these interfaces. The user should use the copy tftp flash command to download the PIX Firewall image file via TFTP.
DHCP Server Functionality
The functionality of the DHCP server on the PIX Firewall has been changed to allow users to define a pool of up to 256 DHCP addresses on the PIX 506 and larger platforms.
Restrictions
Starting with PIX Firewall software version 6.0(1), FDDI, PL2, and Token Ring interfaces are not supported.
Starting with PIX Firewall software version 6.0(1), PFM is no longer supported; PFM has been replaced by the PIX Device Manager (PDM).
The firewall might ignore requests from SSH clients for certain advanced features, including X11 forwarding, Authentication Agent forwarding, port forwarding, and compression.
Caveats
The following sections describe the open caveats for the 6.1(1) release.
For your convenience in locating caveats in Cisco's Bug Toolkit, the caveat titles listed in this section are drawn directly from the Bug Toolkit database. These caveat titles are not intended to be read as complete sentences because the title field length is limited. In the caveat titles, some truncation of wording or punctuation may be necessary to provide the most complete and concise description. The only modifications made to these titles are as follows:
•
Commands are in boldface type.
•
Product names and acronyms may be standardized.
•
Spelling errors and typos may be corrected.
Note
Please use Bug Toolkit on cisco.com to view additional caveat information. Bug Toolkit may be accessed at the following website:
http://www.cisco.com/pcgi-bin/Support/Bugtool/launch_bugtool.pl
Open Caveats - Release 6.1(1)
The caveats in Table 3 are yet to be resolved in this release.
Resolved Caveats - Release 6.1(1)
The caveats in Table 4 are resolved in this release.
Related Documentation
Use this document in conjunction with the PIX Firewall and Cisco VPN 3000 Client documentation at the following websites:
http://www.cisco.com/en/US/products/sw/secursw/ps2120/prod_technical_documentation.html
http://www.cisco.com/en/US/products/sw/secursw/ps2276/prod_technical_documentation.html
Cisco provides PIX Firewall technical tips to registered cisco.com users at the following website:
http://www.cisco.com/public/support/tac/tools_trouble.shtml
To become a registered cisco.com user, go to this website:
http://tools.cisco.com/RPF/register/register.do
Software Configuration Tips on the Cisco TAC Home Page
The Cisco Technical Assistance Center has many helpful pages. If you are a registered cisco.com user, you can visit the following websites for assistance:
TAC Customer top issues for PIX Firewall:
http://www.cisco.com/en/US/customer/products/hw/vpndevc/ps2030/products_installation_guide_chapter09186a008017a424.html
TAC Sample Configs for PIX Firewall:
http://www.cisco.com/pcgi-bin/Support/PSP/psp_view.pl?p=Hardware:PIX&s=Software_Configuration
TAC Troubleshooting, Sample Configurations, Hardware Info, Software Installations and more:
http://www.cisco.com/pcgi-bin/Support/PSP/psp_view.pl?p=Hardware:PIX
To become a registered cisco.com user, go to this website:
http://tools.cisco.com/RPF/register/register.do
Obtaining Documentation
Cisco provides several ways to obtain documentation, technical assistance, and other technical resources. These sections explain how to obtain technical information from Cisco Systems.
Cisco.com
You can access the most current Cisco documentation on the World Wide Web at this URL:
http://www.cisco.com/univercd/home/home.htm
You can access the Cisco website at this URL:
International Cisco websites can be accessed from this URL:
http://www.cisco.com/public/countries_languages.shtml
Documentation CD-ROM
Cisco documentation and additional literature are available in a Cisco Documentation CD-ROM package, which may have shipped with your product. The Documentation CD-ROM is updated regularly and may be more current than printed documentation. The CD-ROM package is available as a single unit or through an annual or quarterly subscription.
Registered Cisco.com users can order a single Documentation CD-ROM (product number DOC-CONDOCCD=) through the Cisco Ordering tool:
http://www.cisco.com/en/US/partner/ordering/ordering_place_order_ordering_tool_launch.html
All users can order annual or quarterly subscriptions through the online Subscription Store:
http://www.cisco.com/go/subscription
Ordering Documentation
You can find instructions for ordering documentation at this URL:
http://www.cisco.com/univercd/cc/td/doc/es_inpck/pdi.htm
You can order Cisco documentation in these ways:
•
Registered Cisco.com users (Cisco direct customers) can order Cisco product documentation from the Networking Products MarketPlace:
http://www.cisco.com/en/US/partner/ordering/index.shtml
•
Nonregistered Cisco.com users can order documentation through a local account representative by calling Cisco Systems Corporate Headquarters (California, USA.) at 408 526-7208 or, elsewhere in North America, by calling 800 553-NETS (6387).
Documentation Feedback
You can submit comments electronically on Cisco.com. On the Cisco Documentation home page, click Feedback at the top of the page.
You can send your comments in e-mail to bug-doc@cisco.com.
You can submit comments by using the response card (if present) behind the front cover of your document or by writing to the following address:
Cisco Systems
Attn: Customer Document Ordering
170 West Tasman Drive
San Jose, CA 95134-9883We appreciate your comments.
Obtaining Technical Assistance
For all customers, partners, resellers, and distributors who hold valid Cisco service contracts, the Cisco Technical Assistance Center (TAC) provides 24-hour, award-winning technical support services, online and over the phone. Cisco.com features the Cisco TAC website as an online starting point for technical assistance.
Cisco TAC Website
The Cisco TAC website (http://www.cisco.com/tac) provides online documents and tools for troubleshooting and resolving technical issues with Cisco products and technologies. The Cisco TAC website is available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.
Accessing all the tools on the Cisco TAC website requires a Cisco.com user ID and password. If you have a valid service contract but do not have a login ID or password, register at this URL:
http://tools.cisco.com/RPF/register/register.do
Opening a TAC Case
The online TAC Case Open Tool (http://www.cisco.com/tac/caseopen) is the fastest way to open P3 and P4 cases. (Your network is minimally impaired or you require product information). After you describe your situation, the TAC Case Open Tool automatically recommends resources for an immediate solution. If your issue is not resolved using these recommendations, your case will be assigned to a Cisco TAC engineer.
For P1 or P2 cases (your production network is down or severely degraded) or if you do not have Internet access, contact Cisco TAC by telephone. Cisco TAC engineers are assigned immediately to P1 and P2 cases to help keep your business operations running smoothly.
To open a case by telephone, use one of the following numbers:
Asia-Pacific: +61 2 8446 7411 (Australia: 1 800 805 227)
EMEA: +32 2 704 55 55
USA: 1 800 553-2447For a complete listing of Cisco TAC contacts, go to this URL:
http://www.cisco.com/warp/public/687/Directory/DirTAC.shtml
TAC Case Priority Definitions
To ensure that all cases are reported in a standard format, Cisco has established case priority definitions.
Priority 1 (P1)—Your network is "down" or there is a critical impact to your business operations. You and Cisco will commit all necessary resources around the clock to resolve the situation.
Priority 2 (P2)—Operation of an existing network is severely degraded, or significant aspects of your business operation are negatively affected by inadequate performance of Cisco products. You and Cisco will commit full-time resources during normal business hours to resolve the situation.
Priority 3 (P3)—Operational performance of your network is impaired, but most business operations remain functional. You and Cisco will commit resources during normal business hours to restore service to satisfactory levels.
Priority 4 (P4)—You require information or assistance with Cisco product capabilities, installation, or configuration. There is little or no effect on your business operations.
Obtaining Additional Publications and Information
Information about Cisco products, technologies, and network solutions is available from various online and printed sources.
•
The Cisco Product Catalog describes the networking products offered by Cisco Systems, as well as ordering and customer support services. Access the Cisco Product Catalog at this URL:
http://www.cisco.com/en/US/products/products_catalog_links_launch.html
•
Cisco Press publishes a wide range of networking publications. Cisco suggests these titles for new and experienced users: Internetworking Terms and Acronyms Dictionary, Internetworking Technology Handbook, Internetworking Troubleshooting Guide, and the Internetworking Design Guide. For current Cisco Press titles and other information, go to Cisco Press online at this URL:
•
Packet magazine is the Cisco quarterly publication that provides the latest networking trends, technology breakthroughs, and Cisco products and solutions to help industry professionals get the most from their networking investment. Included are networking deployment and troubleshooting tips, configuration examples, customer case studies, tutorials and training, certification information, and links to numerous in-depth online resources. You can access Packet magazine at this URL:
http://www.cisco.com/go/packet
•
iQ Magazine is the Cisco bimonthly publication that delivers the latest information about Internet business strategies for executives. You can access iQ Magazine at this URL:
http://www.cisco.com/go/iqmagazine
•
Internet Protocol Journal is a quarterly journal published by Cisco Systems for engineering professionals involved in designing, developing, and operating public and private internets and intranets. You can access the Internet Protocol Journal at this URL:
http://www.cisco.com/en/US/about/ac123/ac147/about_cisco_the_internet_protocol_journal.html
•
Training—Cisco offers world-class networking training. Current offerings in network training are listed at this URL:
http://www.cisco.com/en/US/learning/index.html
![]()


