Basic IOS question

As someone who is new to Cisco products (but learning fast!), I have a question that is not answered by Cisco's own website.

Is there just one version of IOS for all products?

I can see references to v12.4, but there is no breakdown as to versions for different products.

If so, how does the feature set "switching" work if it is installed on different units, such as routers that do DSL, ISDN or just Ethernet?

Jim

Reply to
Jim
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No, there is a different IOS for each product line. 3550 switches use a different IOS than 3745 routers, which is different from the 6500 series switches, etc. If you have access to their software download page, you will see that you have to choose your platform before getting the proper software.

Robert

Reply to
Robert

In article , Robert wrote: :No, there is a different IOS for each product line. 3550 switches use a :different IOS than 3745 routers, which is different from the 6500 :series switches, etc.

When experimental new features are being introduced, it can get down a different IOS version per model (not just product line). Sometimes the experimental versions effectively have a different IOS version depending on whether the model has a particular module is installed or not.

Even when you get to the mainline "general deployment" versions, there are different features for different models, so 12.4(1) for (say) a 4000-series router might have important differences from

12.4(1) for a 6500-series router. Sometimes the same binary images are used and feature determination is based on the hardware it finds itself running on, but different binary images for different models is more common than not.
Reply to
Walter Roberson

Hi Jim,

You may wish to investigate the Cisco IOS Software Selector:

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Cisco IOS Upgrade Planner:

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Cisco Software Advisor:

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and the Cisco Software Search Tool:

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Sincerely,

Brad Reese BradReese.Com Cisco Repair Service Experts

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Hendersonville Road, Suite 17 Asheville, North Carolina USA 28803 USA & Canada: 877-549-2680 International: 828-277-7272

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www.BradReese.Com

Thanks all, this has answered my question.

Jim

Reply to
Jim

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