Recommended Releases for IOS XR Routers

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Updated:May 27, 2025

Document ID:222669

Bias-Free Language

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This document provides a recommended Cisco IOS^® XR release for each IOS XR router.

Introduction

This document describes the generic recommended release for each IOS XR router.

This page is updated once per year.

Background Information

The information in this document is intended to serve as a general guide in case of upgrading IOS XR routers or new deployments that involve IOS XR routers. Beyond these recommendations, if you are required to run an IOS XR release to utilize newer software features or hardware, the recommendation is to select the Extended Maintenance Release (EMR) wherever possible. Review the IOS XR Release Taxonomy here IOS XR Release Taxonomy Bulletin. This page explains the new release taxonomy that started in IOS XR release 24.1.1. The recommended release and the guideline to run EMR release is a general guidance. You are advised to review your network for features, hardware, caveats, and scale requirements in order to make the best IOS XR release choice for your specific network.

Recommended Release per Platform

This table lists the recommended release(s) for each platform.

Platform	Recommended Release
8000	25.2.21
ASR9000 (64-bit/eXR)	25.2.21
NCS540	25.2.21
NCS560	25.2.21
NCS5500	25.2.21
NCS5700	25.2.21
XRv9000	25.2.21
XRd	25.2.21

Table 1

Early Field Trial (EFT)

Early Field Trials (EFT) for IOS XR are a collaborative program designed to provide customers with pre-release (beta) software images containing new features, performance improvements, and critical bug fixes. This program enables customers to test these updates in their own lab environments and network topology before the software is Generally Available (GA).

Early Access to New Features and Key Enhancements

EFT provides access to features and functionality ahead of the general release. This allows customers to evaluate and validate updates such as new features, enhanced scaling capabilities, and hardware support tailored to IOS XR.

Customized Testing in Customer Environment

Customers can deploy EFT software in their own lab setups, replicating production-like conditions to evaluate:

Feature functionality in their network architecture.
Integration with existing tools and workflows.
Interoperability with third-party systems and devices.

This ensures the software works seamlessly with unique operational setups.

Early Resolution of Issues

By identifying and reporting defects or inconsistencies during EFT, Cisco collaborates closely with customers to resolve issues before the GA release. This ensures that critical fixes are implemented early, minimizing the risk of service interruptions during deployment.

Streamlined Upgrade Cycles

With IOS XR’s quarterly release cadence, EFT participation allows customers to:

Pre-certify the software in their environment.
Assess the readiness of critical fixes or features needed for upgrades.
Streamline testing cycles during production rollouts.

Service Packs

Service Pack Overview

As part of our ongoing efforts to enhance IOS XR and better meet the needs of our customers, we are excited to introduce an operational offering: IOS XR Service Pack (SP). IOS XR Service Packs bundle multiple Software Maintenance Upgrades (SMU) into a single image based on the dot-2 Extended Maintenance Release (EMR). IOS XR Service Pack is designed to streamline the deployment and maintenance process for our customers looking to upgrade their network.

Service Pack Details

Single Image Deployment: IOS XR Service Packs bundle multiple SMUs into a single image based on the dot-2 EMR.
Optional: Service Packs are optional to the dot-2 EMR, offering customers a hardened image with packaged fixes.
The Service Pack release always has the format xx.yy.21.
First release:The first released Service Pack is 7.11.21 based on the 7.11.2 EMR.
Release Cadence: Currently, one SP image per calendar year starting from 24.2 release train.
Availability: Posted under ‘IOS XR Service Packs’ on CCO.
Recommended Release: Service Pack is recommended for customers whose deployment timeline aligns with the availability of the SP image. For other cases, the dot-2 EMR continues to be the Go-To release for customers to upgrade their network, incorporating all the latest fixes and stability improvements from the dot-1 Feature Release (FR).

Service Pack Location

Go to the regular software download location and chose the IOS XR platform.

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Image 1

There are several options to download. There is the IOS XR software, SMU, and the IOS XR Service Packs. Select the IOS XR Service Packs.

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Image 2

The next page shows the available Service Packs you can chose from.

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Image 3

Suggested Release

A suggested IOS XR release is a latest EMR release. A suggested IOS XR release is flagged with a golden star. There are always two suggested releases. These releases provide software quality, stability, and longevity. The suggested releases provide more options than the Service Pack which has fewer releases.

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