Cisco IOS images

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Soldato
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Can someone please explain to me the naming scheme for the Cisco IOS images. I have finally got around to installing GNS3 in preparation for my CCNA exam (as I no longer have access to phsyical hardware since my CCNA course ended) and have a ton of IOS images I got of my tutor but I have no clue what images to use, for example there are 47 different version 12.4 images just for the 2600 and I'm not sure which image has the features I need for CCNA and later CCNP.

So can someone please suggest what router IOS files I should be using to emulate a CCNA type lab, so far all i've done is removed all the images older than version 12.3 and have images for the following routers 1700, 2600, 2691, 3620, 3640, 3660, 3725, 3745, 7200 and PIX.
 
You might want to take a look at http://www.ciscohandsontraining.com it's a free podcast by some American chap and IMO it's pretty good for a free resource to use for a bit of revision :)

He does actually have an episode relating specifically to IOS versions and selection.

As for what to run in GNS3 I would probably suggest emulating a 2621XM and running an Adv. Enterprise IOS on it as that will give you IPv6 support which IIRC is now part of the CCNA.

If you have just a plain 12.4 release rather than the T version that could also be a better choice as it will require less resources (32/128mb instead of 48/256mb).

Probably also worth trying to source a couple of switch IOS images so you could emulate that too, I don't think you need a support contract to get those from Cisco for the likes of the 2960 series which should do you just fine.
 
This should give you all the info you need for them:

http://tools.cisco.com/ITDIT/CFN/

Choose any of the features to search by and it will tell you when the image can do; or alternatively search by features etc. Not the most user friendly thing but it is ver y comprehensive

- Pea0n

Edit - this may also help

http://www.tech-faq.com/images/Cisco-ios1.jpg

Everything above something else connected by an arrow automatically has all feature sets below it
 
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Depends on what features you want and how much memory you have in those "boxes". There's a feature matrix on the cisco site which allows you to check which image has which functionality.

http://tools.cisco.com/ITDIT/CFN/

EDIT: Argh, went away to do something else then came back to finish the post, only to find I was beaten! :p
 
On another note, I'm glad I'm not the one maintaining the IOS standards at my firm - what a job that is, keeping track of bugs/fixes, testing etc.. :p
 
Just to clarify, not all Cisco configs are not transferrable between identical hardware if they have even marginally different Firmware.

Even firmwares recommended by Cisco for certain hardware configurations can be wrong. Specifically compatibility with HWIC adapters, in my experience.

It's usually a good idea to find one stable firmware and stick with it for all identical hardware eg, 12.4.25c for Cisco 837s, or 12.4.11XJ4 for routers with HWIC-1ADSL installed.
 
Thanks for the help everyone. I've selected the images with the features I need and unfortunately GNS3 seems to be a pain to use. I loaded up the images, and GNS3 is having nothing but issues when I try and put a router into the workspace :( Even packet tracer didn't have this many issues. At least now though I know what images to use and can hopefully get on with trying out some labs using real images instead of what packet tracer provides, will just take me some time to sort out GNS3 first though.

Thanks again for the help.
 
Advanced IP Services for any 1800/2800/3800 router should be more than plenty. Gives you any WAN interface found via a WIC/HWIC, ethernet ports, and with advipservices you get to use BGP also amongst other protocols.
 
SMN said:
Advanced IP Services for any 1800/2800/3800 router should be more than plenty. Gives you any WAN interface found via a WIC/HWIC, ethernet ports, and with advipservices you get to use BGP also amongst other protocols.
Click to expand...

*cough* in the real world, licencing costs get hefty with that approach, don't they? :p

Yamahahaha's comment reminds me that we've found that we've had to put some devices on a T train IOS to support certain WICs, which is a right pain.
 
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That's exactly the trouble we've had numerous times.

Cisco rep says: Use the T train (I think it was 12.4.15Tx for a 2800 router).
Installed it on the router, it crawls along, won't pass any traffic and eventually crashes.

Smartnet isn't that pricey. Of course it depends how many routers you want covered...
 
PianoBasher said:
*cough* in the real world, licencing costs get hefty with that approach, don't they? :p

Yamahahaha's comment reminds me that we've found that we've had to put some devices on a T train IOS to support certain WICs, which is a right pain.
Click to expand...

They do - but when you can get any IOS you want without paying for it and or licenses ... :)

One thing of note while we're on about WICs, one thing i saw last month working a case was the customers router (2800 i think) had a HWIC card (cant remember the model) but it was a version 1. Now this card went kaput, so they replaced it etc and worked with the telco but it wasnt working.

I got involved, did a "sh ip int bri" and it wasnt seeing the interfaces at all which was odd. Slapped the old card in, it detected the interface. Turns out on some of the new HWIC's there are hardware changes which mean it will only work with newer versions of IOS (12.2> i think). An upgrade of the IOS, and hey presto it detected it :) Very odd!
 
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