Have the option to buy a used PIX 501 circa 2002. Was told it had IOS 6.3 on it.
Two questions:
Was 6.3 out in 2002 ?
Is this up-to-date enough to allow for useful study and lab work, given changes (?) since ?
I've only worked on PIX's from 2004 , and for another $150 can buy a new one ....
its useful to learn on, but it will NOT run 7.x code. You need at least a
515 PIX to run 7.x code. The latest firewall exam (SNPA) is based on 7.x code btw.
No. It was released April 1, 2003 (+/- 3 days)
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.
Hi Barret,
You may also wish to investigate Cisco Authorized Factory Refurbished PIX Units that are Fully Licensed and SMARTnet Eligible with Warranties Same As New:
Brad Reese BradReese.Com - Refurbished Cisco PIX Firewall Guide
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