Cisco Operating System (OS) Software (which you have known in the past as Cisco IOS) is included in each hardware device that a customer purchases. This software is licensed (not sold) to the customer and can only be used on the purchased device in accordance with the Cisco end user license agreement. The Cisco Operating System provides a platform upon which all Cisco applications can run.

Cisco OS can be updated to provide a wide range of support capabilities such as basic connectivity, security (not a separate security application), and network management features.

Enhanced security is available in a separate security service offering known as Cisco Services for Intrusion Prevention Systems (IPS). Cisco OS software also provides technically advanced services that enable businesses to deploy applications such as real-time trading and interactive support, on-demand media, and unified messaging.

In many cases, these capabilities can be added without any need to modify hardware.