Where I Can Download Cisco IOS Softwares

[ThomasMull9000]

Please can any one give me where should i always download Cisco IOS images

thank you very much

[John Blakley]

You should always download them from Cisco's site. You'll need to have a valid smartnet account and login to have the ability to download them.

http://www.cisco.com/cisco/software/navigator.html

[Edwin Summers · Accepted solution]

Straight to the source:

http://www.cisco.com/cisco/software/navigator.html

Note that a CCO (Cisco login) and valid service contract are required for many items.

Best regards,

Ed

[Aliouat]

Hi ,

When I clickon that link I get a blank page and no reply.

What could be the problem? Thanks

[Joseph W. Doherty · Accepted solution]

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Main Cisco site.  Select "Support" then "Downloads".  NB: you'll likely need an active support contract tied to your account.

[larlid001]

Hi!

Is there a student support service contract? I can't download IOS images for my router. 

I've found different links "for a service support account" which are broken.

When I read the words "service support account" I suspect you have to pay for downloading a software update, right? 

Thanks, Lars.

[Richard Burts]

Lars

Yes you are correct that you have to pay for downloading a software update. There have been suggestions that Cisco should offer some program to make it possible for students to access software but so far Cisco does not offer this.

HTH

Rick

[larlid001]

I can understand that there is extra charge for extra functionality (extra licenses), but if there are security flaws, maybe those updates could be free?

An easy comparison to make is with Microsoft and Apple OSes. 

Another comparison to make is with a car with a security flaw. The car manufacturer have to fix the problem for the customer. 

I guess there is some new functionality embedded in the new versions? So it's like moving from windows XP to Windows 8.

A student program would be nice. Just so you can try to make an update, and see what problems you might run into. Can it be done in Packet Tracer?

Thanks for the quick answer.

Lars.

[Richard Burts]

Lars

You make an interesting point about security flaws and software updates. In many of the vulnerability announcements that Cisco releases there is a provision for routers not under maintenance contract to obtain a software update that addresses the vulnerability directly from Cisco TAC and without charge.

So let us consider a couple matters of practicality: 1) Is your router eligible for support updates? For every router model Cisco establishes a date after which that model is no longer sold and then a date after which it will not support the software. So what model of router do you have and has it reached its End Of Support Date? If your router is past its End Of Support Date then there will be no security updates. But if your router is still an officially supported model then there is some possibility that you could get an update from TAC. 2) Officially Cisco says that it will do software replacement for original licensed purchaser of the router. Their rationale is that while hardware can be sold and transferred to a new owner, that the software is sold to the original owner and software is not transferable. If you are not the original licensed owner of the router then TAC may hang up on that. But it may be worth it to contact Cisco TAC and ask them about security updates and see what happens.

I am not expert in Packet Tracer and will leave it to other readers in the forum to address that part of your question.

HTH

Rick