Cisco IOS (Internetworking Operating System) Software

Product Overview

Cisco IOS software is the platform that delivers network services and enables networked applications. Cisco IOS provides the intelligence of the internetwork through a suite of value-added Cisco IOS technologies. In addition to enabling interoperability connections between otherwise disparate hardware, Cisco IOS software provides flexibility, scalability, and investment protection to accommodate network growth, change, and new applications.

Cisco routers and access servers run the industry-leading Cisco IOS software. Cisco IOS software seamlessly links heterogeneous media and devices across the broadcast set of protocols. It also protects corporate resources from intrusion by supporting comprehensive security features, including access control, authentication, firewall, and encryption. The management services inherent in Cisco IOS software provide vestibility that allows you to grow your network to keep up with rapidly changing business requirements.

The most mission-critical operations can depend on Cisco IOS software to reliably deliver applications today, and scale to meet the increasing demands of tomorrow's network operations. Cisco IOS software provides the following services:

Connectivity

• IBM

• Switching

• Management

• Voice/Multimedia

• Q o S

• Reliability

• Scalability

• Security

Cisco IOS software provides network services across the network infrastructure and optimizes applications, providing an end to end solution for globally networked businesses. Cisco IOS software manages resources in a cost-effective manner by controlling and unifying complex, distributed network information. It also functions as a flexible vehicle for adding new services and applications to your internetwork.

Introducing Cisco's Newest Release:
Cisco IOS Version 11.3

Overview

Cisco IOS Software Release 11.3 is a Major Release with a limited life. The content of this release includes:

• All functionality included in Cisco IOS Software Release 11.2. (Refer to Cisco IOS Software Release

• New Features, Product Bulletin #487) at the following URL:

http://www.cisco.com/warp/public/732/112/487_pp.htm

• All Platform support introduced on the 11.2P Early Deployment release up through 11.2(7)P.

• All Features planned for the 11.2F Early Deployment Release up through 11.2(7)F. (Refer to Cisco IOS Software Release 11.3 New Features Bulletin; Product Bulletin # 706.)

Cisco IOS Software Release 11.3 will receive regular maintenance like all other Major Releases. However, 11.3 will be a limited life release, with at least one year of regular maintenance. Since it is a limited life release, Cisco will not take 11.3 to the General Deployment (GD) milestone.

Cisco IOS Software Release 11.3 is recommended for specific environments in which the unique capabilities in 11.3 are required. Moreover, since 11.3 will not be supported for a full two years, it should only be used in environments in which it is acceptable to move to a newer Major Release for maintenance updates.

There are two FCS dates for Cisco IOS Software Release 11.3(1):

• Electronic transfer availability from CCO - 12/22/97

• Media-based shipments - 12/29/97

• Cisco IOS Software Release 11.3(1) software product orderability begins on 12/22/97.

The following table specifies which feature sets are supported with 11.3.

The Cisco IOS software is packaged into "feature sets" (also called "software images"). There are many different feature sets available, and each feature set contains a specific subset of Cisco IOS features. Not all feature sets are available with all platforms. Also, some feature sets support different features when run on different platforms.

Feature Set Matrix

Table 2-3 provides a matrix of the new feature set organization and shows which feature sets are available on specific hardware platforms. These feature sets only apply to Cisco IOS Release 11.3.

The tables use the following conventions to identify feature sets:

Yes: the feature set is offered for the platform

No: the feature set is not offered for the platform

Plus: a value-added option that contains a variable set of additional features depending on the hardware platform selected

Plus 40: a value-added option that contains a variable set of additional features depending on the hardware platform selected, including 40-bit data encryption

Plus 56: a value-added option that contains a variable set of additional features depending on the hardware platform selected, including 56-bit data encryption

Cisco IOS images with strong encryption (including, but not limited to, 56-bit DES) are subject to U.S. government export controls and have a limited distribution. Images to be installed outside the U.S. require an export license. Customer orders may be denied or subject to delay due to U.S. government regulations. Contact your sales representative or distributor for more information, or send e-mail to export@cisco.com.

Feature Set Tables

• Table 2-4 lists the feature sets for the Cisco 1003 and 1004 ISDN routers; see page 7.

• Table 2-5 lists the feature sets for the Cisco 1005 router; see page 8.

• Table 2-6 lists the feature sets for the Cisco 1600 series; see page 9.

• Table 2-7 and Table 2-8 list the feature sets for the Cisco 2500 series; see page 11 and page 13.

• Table 2-9 lists the feature sets for the Cisco 25fx series; see page 16.

• Table 2-10 lists the feature sets for the Cisco 3600 series; see page 17.

• Table 2-11 lists the feature sets for the Cisco 4000 and Cisco 4000-M routers; see page 19.

• Table 2-12 lists the feature sets for the Cisco 4500 and Cisco 4700 routers; see page 22.

• Table 2-13 lists the feature sets for the Cisco AS5100 access server; see page 25.

• Table 2-14 lists the feature sets for the Cisco AS5200 access server; see page 27.

• Table 2-15 and Table 2-16 list the feature sets for the Cisco 7200 series; see page 29 and page 32.

• Table 2-17 and Table 2-18 list the feature sets for the Cisco 7500/RSP series. (Includes the Cisco 7000 equipped with RSP7000 processor, the Cisco 7010 equipped with RSP7000 processor, and the Cisco 7500 series routers.) See page 34 and page 37.