Hello,
I have been looking into updating the firmware on some of our Cisco Catalyst switches (specifically, 2960s's, 3560x's, and 3750x's), and found the following document: https://www.cisco.com/c/en/us/products/collateral/switches/catalyst-3850-series-switches/bulletin-c25-739392.html
Despite the link title, the link actually leads to the "2017 Cisco Catalyst IOS Software Update Program for Catalyst 2000, 3000, and 4000 Series Switches Product Bulletin" document. According to this document, it looks like there are some conditions in which you can update the IOS software, even without a support/SMARTnet contract.
One of the bullet points I am curious about is the following:
"Free Major Releases on Cisco Catalyst 2000, 3000, and 4000 Series Switches if the customer is moving from one release to another within the same license level (e.g., moving from the 12.x release to the 15.x release within the IP Base license) and:"
- "If the customer purchased an IP Lite or IP Base license, whether or not they have purchased an SNTC or SF service contract."
So does this mean I am able to, for instance, update my Catalyst 3750x from 12.2(55)SE1 up to 15.0.2-SE11, even though this device is not on contract?
This also however leads me to some confusion, as the statement above that states the following:
Free Updates on Cisco Catalyst 2000, 3000, and 4000 Series Switches:
◦ For critical bugs to maintain the compliance of the Software with published specifications, release notes, and industrywide compliance as long as the original customer continues to own or use the product, or up to 1 year from the end-of-sale date for this product, whichever occurs earlier.
◦ For vulnerability and security bugs as long as the original customer continues to own or use the product, or up to 3 years from the end-of-sale date for this product, whichever occurs earlier.
This sounds to me that I am allowed to update to any 15.x version from 12.x version forever (which sounds odd to me), but I am only allowed up to 1 year after EOS for updates that include bugs, and up to 3 years after EOS for security fixes? Also, what determines if a release is a bug fix or security fix? Don't most updates normally include both?
Sorry for the long post, but I just want to clarify some of this info, as we like to stay compliant with our device licenses and software update rights.
Thanks,
Sterling
