Cisco IOS Software Releases 12.1 Special and Early Deployments

Description of the Release

Cisco IOS® Software Release 12.1(8a)EW is an ED release (XED) optimized for the Catalyst 4000 platform. This release is based upon the 12.1(8a)E maintenance release. This release introduces Layer 3 forwarding and advanced QoS and security features. Any early deployment (ED) release of software should be used in a test network before being deployed in a production network.

Product and Feature Support

Feature Description
Cisco IOS Software Release 12.1(8a)EW is an XED optimized for the Supervisor III,  a new high end member of the Catalyst 4000 product family. The system is based on the K2 chip set and introduces Layer 3 forwarding and advanced QoS and security features to the product family. The switching platform is targeted at the wiring closet, distribution layer, and data center. The initial focus, however, targets the existing Catalyst 4000 installed base which consists primarily of wiring closet systems.

Note: The features delivered with this XED release will be immediately incorporated into Cisco IOS XED Software Release 12.1(10)EW. 

Support Pages

Release Documentation

• 12.1(8a)EW Product Bulletin
• 12.1(8a)EW Release Notes

Other Links

• Cisco IOS Software Release Field Notices
• Cisco IOS Software Release Reference Guide
• Projected Release Dates

Target Market

Lifecycle of Release

Maintenance Releases

It is highly recommended that Release Notes are used to determine if a maintenance release should be used. Release Notes provide announcements of new features and a summary of known caveats at the time of the renumber.

Important Notes: N/A

Interim Builds

Short-lived X releases do not provide interim builds.

Recommended Customer Migration Path

Cisco IOS Software Release 12.1(8a)EW is an XED release that will receive maintenance fixes in Cisco IOS Software Release 12.1(1)EW which is forecasted to release in April 2002.

To view the projected release date of the Cisco IOS Software Release 12.1(8a)EW, see the Projected Release Dates for Cisco IOS Software Release Product Bulletin.