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Massimo
Asked: 2011-07-04 11:48:59 +0800 CST

How to obtain Cisco IOS firmware?

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Quick and simple question, but I've not been able to find an answer around.

I have a Cisco ADSL router (model 877).

I don't have any Cisco support contract.

How can I obtain an updated firmware for it?

I know which firmware I want, and it's a minor update from my current one (15.0 -> 15.1) with the same feature set; so I should be entitled to have it. And yet, Cisco doesn't let me download it.

What to do?

Is it true that simply owning a cisco router isn't enough to deserve firmware updates?

Side note: of course I know how to "look around" for software on the Internet. But files downloaded from strange places are not something I'd like to run on my router.

cisco ios firmware

3 Answers

  1. Best Answer

    Cisco IOS upgrades that include security fixes are available publicly regardless of support contract, it's just a major pain to get them. If the version you want contains a security fix, you're in luck.

    Enter your version of IOS here, and the list of patched vulnerabilities will come up. Select one (for example), and under "Obtaining Fixed Software", there's instructions on putting in a TAC ticket to get the firmware that's fixed the vulnerability.

    Customers should have their product serial number available and be prepared to give the URL of this notice as evidence of entitlement to a free upgrade. Free upgrades for non-contract customers must be requested through the TAC.

    They aren't kidding about this part; last time I needed to do this, I had to quote that line twice to technicians who wanted to close to ticket due to lack of support contract.

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  2. As far as I know you need a Cisco support contract to download firmware from Cisco. Any firmware you find outside the Cisco support pages is most likely not distributed according to the EULA of the firmware.

    Welcome to the world of industrial class hardware. The service agreement is usually more expensive than the hardware.

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  3. Thats why I will never ever buy a Cisco device again. It's rediculous that you have to pay for fixes for mistakes Cisco's R&D have made.

    There are many competitors (especially in the small-router-market-segmet) which have a much more customer-friendly policy.

    And, to speak it ou loud: Cisco Routers (even the smaller ones like 870-Series) are very complicated and time-consuming to configure.... and Ciscos IOS-software has a lot of security flaws...

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