Hi,
The Cisco Catalyst layer 3 switches like the 3560 Series is available in the Standard Multilayer Software Image (SMI) or the Enhanced Multilayer Software Image (EMI). The SMI feature set includes advanced quality of service (QoS), rate limiting, access control lists (ACLs), and basic static and Routing Information Protocol (RIP) routing functionality. The EMI provides a richer set of enterprise-class features, including advanced hardware-based IP unicast and IP Multicast routing as well as policy based routing (PBR). After initial deployment of the 3560 for example , the Catalyst 3560 EMI Upgrade Kit gives users the flexibility to upgrade to the EMI.
[edit] please also note that, for Cisco Catalyst layer 2 switches, it is available in the Standard Image (SI) and Enhanced Image (EI). Cisco Standard Image software offers Cisco IOS? Software capabilities for basic data, voice, and video services. For networks that require additional security, advanced QoS, and high availability, Cisco Enhanced Image software delivers intelligent services such as rate limiting, QoS reclassifying, and security filtering for deployment at the network edge. The version of software depends solely on the model of switch selected, with no upgrade capabilities.
HTH, please do rate all helpful replies,
Mohammed Mahmoud.
