Cisco Router and Switch iOS selection

[kothare]

Hello Team,

We have multiple routers and switches and am confused of selecting the iOS for the respective routers and switches. All node software details given below.

Cisco ASR1009-X(RP3)(ios: asr1000rpx86-universalk9.16.12.04.SPA.bin)
Cisco ASR1006-X(RP3)(ios: asr1000rpx86-universalk9.16.06.04.SPA.bin)
Cisco Nexus9000 C9508 (ios: nxos.9.3.5.bin)
Cisco Nexus9000 C93180YC-FX (ios: nxos.9.3.5.bin)
Cisco C9300-48T (ios: CAT9K_IOSXE(16.12.4)

Kindly suggest which iOS will be best suited for the above router/switch hardware.

[Flavio Miranda · Accepted solution]

Hi @kothare 

 Does not work like that.. To pick-up the best IOS we must know the environment and the objective of IOS upgrade.

 You must read the IOS release notes to identify which features it have and the bugs it have.

 But, if you dont want  have all this trouble , what you can do is use the cisco indication. Cisco place a star on the IOS most recommended. You can follow this.

But, I recommend you to go through the release notes with your objective in mind.

[M02@rt37 · Accepted solution]

hello @kothare,

@Flavio Miranda is right.

It depends of your environment and the topology you  want to configure.

On Cisco Download website, star in front of an IOS is a "Cisco Suggested release based on software quality, stability and longevity"...... but again  @Flavio Miranda suggest you to "go through the release notes with your objective in mind."

[MHM Cisco World]

First go to download cisco software website

Select your platform and the website will show star for recommend ver. Of ios xe/nxos