IOS Software Download FAQs

 

 


Questions

I am used to selecting a platform. How can I navigate using platform information in the new download area?
What do Mainline and Special and Early Deploy Releases mean in the IOS navigation?
I cannot find any platforms, releases or feature sets in the new download area (Cisco IOS and NX-OS Software)
How does the 'Search Product on this page' box within the new download area work?
How do I search in the Download Software area?
Where can I find Software Advisories and Deferral Notices in the download area?
Where can I find Security Advisories and Field Notices in the download area?
Where can I find Release Notes in the download area?
Where can I find tools like Cisco Feature Navigator, Software Advisor and Bug Toolkit?
Where can I find product bulletins?
How can I download IOS ROMMON software?
Is there a guide to show how to navigate and download?
Where can I find interfaces and modules for software downloads?


Q. I am used to selecting a platform. How can I navigate using platform information in the new download area?

A. We are moving towards full product names instead of platforms in the Support site. From the Download Software page, select the product category (e.g. Routers, Switches, Wireless etc.) and then choose the full product name to find all software for  that product.


Q. What do Mainline and Special and Early Deployment Releases mean in the IOS navigation?

A. In the IOS navigation for software downloads, the releases are categorized into buckets called Mainline, Special and Early Deploy and T Train.

All Mainline Releases contain only numerals followed by lowercase characters. Examples of Mainline are: 12.4.23, 12.4.17b, 12.4.3d.

A T Train Release is followed by the letter T after the numerals, e.g. 12.4.15T7, 12.0.1T1

All other releases fall under Special and Early Deploy Releases. Examples of Special and Early Deploy:  12.4.15-SW2, 12.4.6-XP, 12.0.5-WC16. At times the uppercase characters will be followed by lowercase characters as well (e.g. 12.2.25-SW4a, 12.2.4-MB13b.)


Q. I cannot find any platforms, releases or feature sets in the new download area (Cisco IOS and NX-OS Software)?

A. You will need to know the release version you are looking for to navigate through ‘Cisco IOS and NX-OS’ (e.g. 12.4.11-XJ4). Select the release family from the IOS Main Page. In the above example the release family is 12.4 Special & Early Deployments. After selecting the release family, the page will refresh to display all supported hardware products. Select a product model and the page will be refreshed with all corresponding release versions.

The feature sets are specific to a particular release version. Feature sets are shown in the new download area once the release version selected.  Example: 12.4 Special & Early Deployments > Cisco 1801 Integrated Services Router > 12.4.11-XJ4 > Advanced IP Services


Q. How does the 'Search Product on this page' box within the new download area work?

A.  The 'Search Product on this page' box within the new download area does a text search on the contents of the page. If a match is found for the text entered in the box, a message is displayed with the number of results for the search text. The matching results are also highlighted in the product tree.

If there are no matches for the text entered in the box, a message is displayed to that effect. E.g. "0 results for XYZ"

If the search results in more than 50 matches, there will be a message requesting to refine the search criteria.


Q. How do I search in the Download Software area?

A. There are two search options in the Download software area. The first search-box is on the upper right hand corner of all Cisco.com pages and does a site wide search.  The results are all references to the keyword on Cisco.com. You have to then filter the "Task" list on the left hand to select "Download Software" to proceed with downloading software.

The second search option is the Search-box on the main Download Software page where you can enter the search string in the text box and this would provide with all software downloads available, that match the search string. Search string can be combinations of release train, platform/series and model, release version, image name, feature set name and file name.

E.g. If you enter Cisco 2501 router Enterprise Plus 12.2.28d, you will be displayed with the results that lead you to the download page for the software.


Q. Where can I find Software Advisories and Deferral Notices in the download area?

A. Software Advisories and Deferral Notices will be displayed after a software/image is selected for download.


Q. Where can I find Security Advisories and Field Notices in the download area?

A. Security Advisories and Field Notices are available in the download area after a software/image is selected for download.


Q. Where can I find Release Notes in the download area?

A.  Release Notes are available after a release is selected for download


Q. Where can I find tools like Cisco Feature Navigator, Software Advisor and Bug Toolkit?

A. All tools related to software downloads (such as Cisco Feature Navigator, Software Advisor, Bug Toolkit etc.) can be found in the Tools & Resources section within the Support area.


Q.  Where can I find product bulletins?

A.  All product bulletins are available in the Troubleshoot and Alerts section in the Support area.


Q.  How can I download IOS ROMMON software?

A.  IOS ROMMON software is available in the download area. If you select a product that runs IOS ROMMON software, you will see IOS ROMMON releases and images in the software download process.

 


Q.  Is there a guide to show how to navigate and download?

A.  The Help File provides guidelines on how to navigate and download. This is displayed on the upper right hand side of each page in the new download area.


Q.  Where can I find interfaces and modules for software downloads?

A.  Interfaces and modules will be displayed for the appropriate product during the download process. Once you select a product you will see all the supported interfaces and modules.

For e.g. Switches > Cisco Catalyst 6509 Switch > Cisco Catalyst 6500 Series Supervisor Engine 720 / MSFC3 > IOS Software > 12.2.33-SXH4