The documentation set for this product strives to use bias-free language. For the purposes of this documentation set, bias-free is defined as language that does not imply discrimination based on age, disability, gender, racial identity, ethnic identity, sexual orientation, socioeconomic status, and intersectionality. Exceptions may be present in the documentation due to language that is hardcoded in the user interfaces of the product software, language used based on RFP documentation, or language that is used by a referenced third-party product. Learn more about how Cisco is using Inclusive Language.
The Cisco IOS® XE Software Update Program (formerly known as the “IOS Software Update Policy”) complements the Enhanced Limited Lifetime hardware warranty (E-LLW) and Limited Lifetime hardware warranty (LLW) offered with Cisco® switches (see the Covered Products section below for further details). This Software Update Program helps ensure that Cisco customers receive the latest software-enabled innovations within specified term limits.
The Cisco IOS XE Software Update Program is included with covered products for original purchasers, and allows original purchasers using a valid Cisco.com ID to receive the updates shown in the following table.
Table 1. Updates provided under the Cisco IOS XE Software Update Program
| Free critical updates |
● Free critical updates maintain the compliance of the software with published specifications, release notes, and industry-wide compliance. These updates are available to the original purchaser for
up to 12 months after end of sale.
● Free vulnerability and security updates are available to the original purchaser for
up to 30 months after end of sale.
Note: No support contract is required to obtain these software updates. For more details on end-of-life milestones, please refer to Cisco’s End-of-Life Policy. |
| Free major and |
● Free major and minor release updates are available to an original purchaser moving from one release to another within the same perpetual license tier (e.g., Advantage or Essentials).
●
Note: No support contract is required to obtain these software updates.
|
For information regarding coverage across license types, please refer to the services comparison table below.
Table 2. Comparison of software update coverage across the various Cisco licenses and services
| Cisco IOS XE Software Update Program |
Enhanced Limited Lifetime Warranty Or Limited Lifetime Warranty (LLW) |
Cisco DNA® Software Subscription License |
Cisco Catalyst™ Software Subscription (DNX) License |
Cisco Switching License |
Cisco Support |
|
| Operating system updates and upgrades |
● |
-- |
-- |
● |
● |
● |
The Cisco IOS XE Software Update Program (“Program”) applies to the Cisco switches listed in the following table.
Table 3. Cisco switches covered under the Program
| Cisco Catalyst switches |
Cisco Catalyst 9200 Series fixed access switches |
| Cisco Catalyst 9300 Series fixed access switches |
|
| Cisco Catalyst 9400 Series modular access switches |
|
| Cisco Catalyst 9500 Series fixed core and aggregation switches |
|
| Cisco Catalyst 9600 modular core switches |
|
| Cisco Catalyst 9300X, 9400X, 9500X, and 9600X switches |
|
| Cisco Smart switches |
Cisco C9350 Series Smart access switches |
| Cisco C9550 Series Smart core switches |
|
| Cisco C9610 Series Smart modular core switches |
All software (including updates and upgrades) is available on the Software Download Center tool located at https://software.cisco.com/download/navigator.html and is subject to the terms and conditions of Cisco’s General Terms and any supplemental terms located at https://www.cisco.com/c/dam/en_us/about/doing_business/legal/Cisco_General_Terms.pdf.
This Program is subject to change without notice.
More information about Cisco Support is located at https://www.cisco.com/go/services
Table 4. Useful definitions
| Term |
Definition |
| Maintenance release |
An incremental software release that provides maintenance fixes and Cisco designates a maintenance release as a change in the digits to the right of the tenths or |
| Major release |
A release of software that provides additional software functions. |
| Minor release |
An incremental release of software that provides maintenance fixes and |
| Original purchaser |
The customer that originally purchased the covered product directly from |
| Software |
The software programs provided by Cisco, including any copies, updates, upgrades, |
| Update |
A maintenance release or minor release. |
| Upgrade |
A separately licensed and priced software release that contains an enhanced |