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Cisco IOS Software Releases 12.1 Mainline

Cisco IOS Software Major Release 12.1

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Data Sheet

Cisco IOS Software
Major Release 12.1

Cisco IOS® Software is the foundation networking software that allows customers to deliver Cisco IP network services on a flexible infrastructure that is scalable, reliable, and secure. It provides industry-leading, standards-based technologies proven in use across the broadest and largest networks in operation today.

Cisco IOS Software Release 12.1 consolidates the advanced technology introduced in 1999 via Cisco IOS Software Early Deployment (ED) releases. It includes feature enhancements in the areas of voice, security, virtual private networking (VPN), quality of service (QoS), Multiprotocol Label Switching (MPLS), and multicast, as well as significant improvements in quality as a result of continuous, dedicated testing.

A major release provides the vehicle for unification of the features, platforms, functionality, and technology from ED releases into Cisco IOS Software. This software delivers combined capabilities, stability, and quality, and the functionality and platform support of the major release does not change during subsequent maintenance releases. Maintenance revisions (that is, Release 12.1(3)) provide continuous improvement and greater quality, leading ultimately to general deployment. A major release that receives general deployment certification has had extensive market exposure in a wide range of network environments, and has been qualified through extensive metrics analyzing stability and bug trends, as well as customer-satisfaction surveys.

Release 12.1 has significant quality improvements, and has passed over 150 hours of continuous end-to-end system testing within representative enterprise and service-provider customer profiles. It has also undergone other rigorous testing such as early field trials, unit testing, white-box testing, regression testing, and use on the Cisco internal production network.

Release 12.1 Applications, Features, and Benefits

Cisco IOS Software Release 12.1 has added over 110 new enterprise and service-provider features compared to the last major release. It has been designed to enhance the capabilities of enterprise customers in five major application areas: customer care, workforce optimization, supply-chain management, e-learning, and Web foundation (workflow, publishing, data access, and community). Security, settlement services, and billing applications are a sample of the many service-provider-oriented features introduced in Cisco IOS Software Release 12.1.

Release 12.1 addresses the needs of both the service provider and the enterprise customer. For example, NetFlow Policy Routing, IP-ATM Class-of-Service Mapping, and Class-Based Weighted Fair Queuing all provide additional "knobs" for service providers to offer differentiated services, enabling better customer service and enhanced revenue opportunities. Enterprises can save money and improve security with the Cisco IOS Integrated Firewall. Cisco IOS Software Release 12.1 also enables integrated voice and data through voice over IP (VoIP) or voice over Frame Relay (VoFR), significantly reducing expensive recurring telephony costs.

The following table is just a small sampling of the many features delivered in Cisco IOS Software Major Release 12.1.


Cisco IOS Software Release 12.1—Sample of Features and Benefits
Feature Benefit
Voice
  • Packet Telephony Settlement

  • VoIP QSIG Network Transparency

  • H.323 Version 2

  • Packet Telephony Prepaid Calling Cards
  • End-to-end VoIP support for cost-effective worldwide calling coverage

  • Incremental revenue opportunities for service providers
Quality of Service
  • Flow Random Early Detection

  • IP-ATM Class of Service

  • Class-Based Weighted Fair Queuing

  • IP RTP Priority
  • Enhancements to the suite of Cisco IOS QoS capabilities that assure mission-critical traffic is appropriately prioritized and managed.
Security
  • Cisco IOS Firewall Feature Set and Baseline Cable Privacy

  • Time-Based Access Lists

  • IPSec-Based Multiple Certificate Authority, Key, and Configuration, Mode Configuration, and Wildcard Prehared Key
  • Security services for business-to-business and business-to-consumer electronic commerce
IP and Routing
  • Mobile IP

  • Integrated IS-IS Multi-Area Support

  • MPLS Virtual Public Networks and Traffic Engineering

  • On-Demand Routing Enhancements
  • Flexibility and ease of use for dynamic and growing enterprise workforces
Management
  • CLI String Search

  • Diagnostic and Troubleshooting

  • Service Assurance Agent

  • Multicast Routing Monitor
  • Allows rapid identification, diagnosis, and troubleshooting of problems for the highest levels of customer service


Hardware Platform Support

Cisco IOS Software Release 12.1 has added support for numerous new platforms, including:

  • Cisco 800 Series Routers

  • Cisco 2621 Modular Access Routers

  • Cisco 3660 Series of Multiservice Gateways

  • Cisco 7500 Route Switch Processor

  • Cisco Catalyst® 2900 Series ATM module

Upgrade Recommendations

Customers who have implemented an ED version of Cisco IOS Software Release 12.0 (including 12.0(X)T, 12.0(1)XA, 12.0(4)XL, 12.0(1)XB, 12.0(4)XM, 12.0(2)XC, 12.0(5)XK, 12.0(2)XD, 12.0(5)XN, 12.0(3)XG, 12.0(5)XQ, 12.0(4)XI, 12.0(7)XF, and 12.0(4)XJ) or those interested in deploying or testing advanced technology for specific solutions should consider upgrading to Cisco IOS Software Release 12.1.

Upgrading to Release 12.1 provides the highest network functionality and stability, and allows organizations to capitalize on the newest business applications available.

Availability

Cisco IOS Software Release 12.1 is currently available for customers to download from Cisco Connection Online (CCO), via CD from Cisco reseller partners, or with new Cisco products that utilize Cisco IOS Software.

For More Information

For more information about Release 12.1, visit:
http://www.cisco.com/warp/public/cc/pd/iosw/prodlit/1078_pp.htm or http://www.cisco.com/go/ios, or contact your Cisco account manager or global service manager.