Cisco IOS Image Naming Convention, Packaging, and Deployment

Cisco IOS software is a network system software that supports a broad range of Internet and enterprise network
devices. The Internet was and is a driving force for the growth of Cisco IOS. Currently, Cisco IOS supports a
broad area of networking technology, eg: IP, security, voice, VoIP, optical, wireless, content networking, and
storage networking.
Cisco IOS Trains
A Cisco IOS Train is used to deliver Cisco IOS releases that evolve from a common code base.
In recent years, with the addition of thousands of new features, hundreds of new applications, and a wide array
of platforms, Cisco IOS software has diversified from one train to multiple trains of releases in order to support
different feature sets for different customer needs.
Below lists the types of Cisco IOS release trains:
Train /
Description
Release
Consolidates releases and fixes defects. Inherits features from previous generation
Mainline
T train, and does not add additional features.
Introduces new features and fixes defects.
T
(Technology) Provides support for new hardware.

Examples
12.2, 12.3,
12.4.
12.2T,
12.3T.
12.0S,
12.2S.

Supports high-end backbone routing, and fixes defects.

SB

Targets at SP edge networks. Supports broadband and leased-line aggregation, and

12.2SB.
MPLS Provider Edge (PE).

SE, SG.

Supports mid-range and low-end Ethernet LAN switching for Enterprise access and
12.2SE,
distribution networks, as well as mid-range and low-end SP Metro Ethernet
12.2SG.
networks.

SR

Targets at high-end SP Carrier Ethernet, Broadband Aggregation and Subscriber

Services, Metro Ethernet, and MPLS Provider Edge (PE) networks.

12.2SR.

SX

Designed for at core and data center networks, enterprise campus, and service
provider edge networks that require world-class IP and MPLS services. Supports
high-end Ethernet LAN switching for access, distribution, core, and data center
networks.

12.2SX.

Targets at enterprise core and SP edge networks. Supports advanced QoS, voice,
security, and fixes defects.

12.1E.

Supports broadband features and fixes defects.

12.2B,
12.3B.

Mainline and T Train Relationship

Cisco uses at least the following 2 trains for releasing Cisco IOS software. With 2 trains, new features can be
introduced in a release without affecting the code base of the mainline train.
i) Mainline train A train for mainline bug fixes. Does not incorporate new features.
ii) T train A train for synchronized mainline bug fixes and new features.
Note: Bug fixes to maintenance releases on a mainline train are synchronized with subsequent maintenance

releases on the child T train.

Mainline trains (eg: 12.2) are built from previous generation T trains (eg: 12.1T). Mainline trains (eg: 12.2) are
parents of other T trains (eg: 12.2T). Ex: 12.1T > 12.2 > 12.2T > 12.3 > 12.3T.
Cisco IOS Image Naming Convention

Cisco IOS Naming Convention

Below lists the Memory Location codes:
Code Description
f
The image runs from Flash memory.
m

The image runs from RAM.

The image runs from ROM.

The image is relocatable.

Below lists the Compression Format codes:

Code Description
z
The image is compressed in zip format.
x

The image is compressed in mzip format.

Interim Builds are software from the Cisco IOS engineering build processes that the Cisco TAC released to
customers to address a specific issue on temporary basis. Customers who have an interim build running on their
network devices should contact Cisco TAC for assistance for replacing the interim build.
An interim build name has a train number plus a maintenance release number and decimal number in
parentheses, eg: 12.2(3.1).
Unlike conventional computer software versioning rules, a 12.3 IOS release is not necessary newer than a 12.2
IOS release, eg: a maintenance release of 12.2T can be released few months later than a maintenance release of
12.3.
Cisco IOS binary image name examples:
Image Name
Description
c3725-entbase-mz-123-

12.3(2)T release with the Enterprise Base Feature set for the Cisco 3725

2.T.bin

platform.

Cisco IOS Packaging

Cisco IOS Packaging

Cisco IOS consists of 8 packages for Cisco routers and 5 packages for Catalyst switches.
4 packages are designed to satisfy the requirements of the following 4 service categories:
1. IP data
2. Converged voice and data
3. Security and VPN
4. Enterprise protocols
3 additional premium packages offer new IOS features that address more complex network requirements. All
features merge in the Advanced Enterprise Services that integrates support for all routing protocols with voice,
security, and VPN capabilities.
Feature Inheritance > After a feature is introduced, it will be included in the more comprehensive packages.
This clarifies the feature contents of different packages and the relationship between them, which facilitates IOS
image and feature selection during migration.
New Cisco IOS packaging naming convention:
Entry-level image IP Base, Enterprise Base.
Base
Services

Addition of IP Telephony Service, MPLS, VoIP, VoFR, and ATM SP Services, Enterprise
Services.

Advanced

Addition of VPN, Cisco IOS Firewall, 3DES Encryption, SSH, IPSec and IDS Advanced
Security, Advanced IP Services.

Enterprise Addition of multi-protocols, eg: IBM, IPX, AppleTalk Enterprise Base, Enterprise Services.

Cisco IOS Deployment

Early Deployment (ED) releases provide new features and new platform and interface support in addition to
bug fixes. There are 4 variations of the ED releases:
1. Consolidated Technology Early Deployment (CTED). These are also known as the T train and are
easily identifiable by their name, which always ends with a T (Technology), eg: 12.2T and 12.3T. T
trains are very rich in features, protocols, and platforms support.
2. Specific Technology Early Deployment (STED). STEDs are usually platform-specific. Ex: 11.1CA,
11.1CC, 11.1CT, 11.3NA, 11.3MA, 11.3WA, and 12.0DA.
3. Specific Market Early Deployment (SMED). SMEDs are similar to STEDs, but they target specific
market segments, eg: ISPs. Ex: 12.0S, and 12.1E.
4. Short-lived Early Deployment, also known as X Releases (XED). XEDs do not provide regular
software maintenance revisions. If a bug is found in the XED before its convergence with the CTED, a
software rebuild is initiated and a number is appended to the IOS name. Ex: 12.0(2)XB1 and
12.0(2)XB2 are the rebuilds of 12.0(2)XB.
A General Deployment (GD) release is major Cisco IOS software that reaches its GD milestone in its lifecycle
and Cisco feels that it is suitable for deployment anywhere in customer networks where the features and
functionalities of the release are required. Criteria for reaching the GD milestone are based on, but not limited
to: customer feedback surveys from production and test networks using the release, customer engineer bug
reports, and reported field experience. Only major releases are candidates to reach the GD milestone.
A Limited Deployment (LD) release is major Cisco IOS software that reaches the LD phase of its lifecycle
during the period between its FCS (First Customer Shipment) and the GD milestone.
Note: GD and LD releases are not applicable to any future Cisco IOS maintenance releases or rebuilds starting
from Cisco IOS Software Release 12.4
Deferred (DF) releases are not available for download due to known critical defects as announced by a Deferral
Advisory. These releases should not be running on production routers and customers are strongly urged to
migrate from the affected image to the replacement image as advised in the Deferral Advisory.
Maintenance Deployment (MD) releases provide bug fixes and ongoing software maintenance.