IOS Version Upgrade

[jwood1650]

I just got an ASA 5505 with Cisco Adaptive Security Appliance Software Version 8.0(4) alredy loaded on it.  Should I update/upgrade it to the newest IOS release, or is the 8.0(4) good and stable?

Kinda new to the ASA world, so any help would be great.

Thanks,

Jonathan

[Julio Carvajal · Accepted solution]

Hello Jonathan,

I would always recommend go to the highest version to get the latest features available ( Enjoy at a 100 % the features of the ASA) but for that you must follow a memory requirement , how much memory do you have?

If it's less than 512 I will then recommend you going to 8.2(5) The latest version you can go with the memory you have and it's a really stable version

Remember to rate all of the helpful posts

Julio Carvajal

Advanced Security Trainer

[Karsten Iwen]

just an addition to Julio:

If you need a complex NAT-configuration and don't have the memory-requirements, it's worth to upgrade the hardware. In that case I would recommend the newest 8.4 version. Starting with 8.3 the NAT-configuration was simplified. The old syntax can be quite confusing for the ASA-beginner.


Sent from Cisco Technical Support iPad App

[Marvin Rhoads]

We see lots of folks ask about this entry level model of 5505. If you bought one with 8.0(4) loaded I'm assuming it's used and you paid in the range of USD 100-200 for it.

While engineering-wise I agree with Julio and Karsten re running a later versions, two factors complicate that:

1. Upgrades for Cisco software (btw ASA software is not IOS) are not free. They generally require a support contract for one to be entitled license-wise to install an upgrade.

2. The cost for a memory upgrade on an older entry level box like one of those can equal or exceed the cost of the box itself. Some people have had good luck using 3rd party (i.e. cheaper) memory on ASAs but YMMV.