A beta version of it was available (to registered beta testers -- not to regular customers) by the end of 2002; it is unlikely that the system in question has the beta.
If the owner had a support contract then they might well have updated to 6.3.
Probably. However, when you buy a used PIX, you do not get the right to use the software -- the legal license is not transferable. As you would almost certainly want to upgrade to PIX 6.3(5)112 for security fixes, you are going to have trouble without the license.
The warrantee and license are worth the extra $150.
But as the other poster pointed out, it is looking as if there might not be any more software releases for the PIX 501, except perhaps some security fixes.
You may also wish to investigate Cisco Authorized Factory Refurbished PIX Units that are Fully Licensed and SMARTnet Eligible with Warranties Same As New:
Hendersonville Road, Suite 17 Asheville, North Carolina USA 28803 USA & Canada: 877-549-2680 International: 828-277-7272 Fax: 775-254-3558 AIM: R2MGrant BradReese.Com - Cisco Software Relicensing For Used Cisco Units
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