Software upgrade on any platform

[afsharki2]

Hello friends,

How does one decide on an image upgrade to a new iOS.  Do people usually go for the newest releases or one with less bugs then another?  

When you guys are doing a software upgrade on a switch(whatever platform) what do you factor in to your decision of picking a certain image?

Thank you

[Venkatesh Perumal]

you should go for the latest release unless there is any specific restrictions to your network.

latest release comes with the feature enhancement if any and comprises the fix of the bugs raised on earlier versions for better user experience. have a look on the below doc.

http://cisco-information.blogspot.in/2007/06/how-to-choose-cisco-ios-software.html

[afsharki2]

Thanks, that's a great link.

[Leo Laohoo]

Do people usually go for the newest releases or one with less bugs then another?  

Upgrading the IOS of Cisco appliances takes "guts".  A  lot of people are reluctant to upgrade the IOS because they're afraid of discovering old & new bugs.   (Aside from they don't know "how to" upgrade Cisco appliances.)

And this is why I always tell people to pick an IOS version from the list and then read the Release Notes.  Once they've read the Release Notes and "settled" on a version of IOS, do the next step and TEST the IOS.  

[afsharki2]

I always read the release notes.  One of the reasons why I ask is because, a TAC guy once told me to always stay in the same software train.

For example, if I was on 1.1.3  - I should go with 1.1.4     and not 1.2.1...  This was a conversation I had a long time ago, and I don't recall the reason why he told me this.  I feel stupid not to remember.  

[Leo Laohoo]

a TAC guy once told me to always stay in the same software train.

The only logic behind this is because staying in the same train means that bugs gets identified and fixed.  But there's one thing missing from "staying in the same train" and it's NEW FEATURES.  

I don't like staying in the same train.  Aside from lack of new features there's another thing to look out for:  End-of-Life for IOS versions.  What happens if one sticks to a train and a few months/years time Cisco announces EoL for a particular version?  

If one has to play safe, then staying in the same train is not a bad idea (bug fixes).  Whatever floats your boat ...