The heart of a Cisco IOS software feature pack is a CD-ROM that contains software images and Router Software Loader (RSL), a Windows 95 application, which loads the images onto a router. Each Cisco IOS Release 11.2 feature pack CD contains feature sets. For users without Windows 95, images can also be loaded with a Trivial File Transfer Protocol (TFTP) server application.
Cisco IOS feature packs are primarily used as a means of software distribution by resellers, who load their customers' selection of router software at the resellers' sites. However, you can use feature packs in any situation that requires an alternative to standard software distribution (that is, factory installation of software, diskettes, or Cisco Connection Online download).
Note Cisco IOS Release 11.2 feature packs contain an upgrade utility that permanently modifies any model CPA100x, CPA160x, CPA25xx, or CPA4500 router so that these routers accept Cisco IOS images. The utility changes the router's SysObjectID Simple Network Management Protocol (SNMP) MIB value (used for network management) from CiscoPro to that of a Cisco router. The software banner will no longer identify the router as a CiscoPro device.
Each Cisco IOS Release 11.2 software feature pack box contains the following items:
- CD-ROM with the following software:
- Feature set software images
- Modem software image (for the Cisco AS5200)
- Bootstrap software image (for the Cisco AS5200, 4500 and 4700, and 7200 series)
- RSL program (a Windows 95 application)
- Instruction booklet for using RSL
- Release notes, which include instructions for using a TFTP server application on a system not running Windows 95
- Software license--for using Cisco software in object code form on a single router
- Cisco Documentation CD-ROM, which contains all Cisco IOS software documentation
