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I have been looking into this for a while now, but I can't find an explanation anywhere (the closest I could find was in wikipedia and cisco ) The switch is a 2960s that I need to stack to a 2960x (so I need the exact ios versions on both), I can download these two versions for the 2960S 15.0.2-EX5(ED) and 15.0.2-SE10a(MD)

Basically it seems to say that:

  • S Consolidates mainline, E, and other S, which supports high-end backbone routers, and fixes defects.
  • E Targets enterprise core and SP edge, supports advanced QoS, voice, security, and firewall, and fixes

But what means SE? It's a mix of S and E? What means the X in EX?

**UPDATED:**As @hertitu said in the comments, it's also important the release designation codes (list here), and the MD (manteinance deployment) means software more stable than the ED releases (Early Deployment)

aseques
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  • Just found another person with the same question at cisco forums (no answer) https://supportforums.cisco.com/discussion/12466021/2960s-ex-vs-se – aseques Jan 20 '17 at 14:17
  • Not sure if it helps much but "ED" is Early deployment and "MD" is Maintenance Deployment - see https://www.cisco.com/public/library/iosplanner/reldesignation.html – hertitu Jan 20 '17 at 22:27
  • Not exactly what I wanted, but still useful, I'll update the question with the information you gave me @hertitu – aseques Jan 23 '17 at 14:36

1 Answers1

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Sometimes the one/two letter designation is the branch/train/platform identifier.

Here is an old list of common branch identifiers:

  • M/T – 800 Series ISR, ISRg2 (1900, 2900, 3900), Connected Grid Router 2000

  • S – 7600 Series Router, ME 3600X, ME 3800X

  • GC – 5900 Series Embedded Router

  • SE – Catalyst 2960, 3560, 3750, IE 3000 Switches

  • SG – Catalyst 4500E (Sup 6E and earlier)

  • SY – Catalyst 6500E, 6807-XL, 6880

  • EA – IE 2000 Switches

Reference: https://www.packetmischief.ca/2013/12/09/ios-and-nx-os-platform-identifiers/

As you already identified, "S" could also be a consolidated release. It is hard to say whether the "SE" is merely an identifier or whether it has deeper ties to the "E" releases.

"X" however in this case, most likely refers to an IOS "Special Release". This is supported by the "ED" designation that you have already identified as "Early Deployment".

X Special Releases are defined as:

Special Releases

Are similar to rebuilds but instead of quick fixes, special releases introduce new features or additional platform support to quickly meet market demands.

• A branch from a train code base.

• Does not conform to a strict naming convention. They use a double letter after the release number.

• The first letter could be a one-time release, the train identifier, or the technology identifier.

• The second letter could be a sequential revision or a one-time release.

• Special releases do not have an EoL, they are integrated back into the parent train.

This illustrates how Special Releases are integrated back into a parent train.
Special Release Integration

(Slides 15 and 18) https://www.cisco.com/c/dam/en_us/training-events/le21/le34/downloads/689/academy/2005/BRK-101.pdf

The release notes from Cisco on IOS Release 15.0(2)EX call out the new features introduced in this special release.

What’s New in Cisco IOS Release 15.0(2)EX

First release of the Cisco Catalyst 2960-X Series Switches supporting two different feature sets:

LAN Lite feature set—Provides standard Layer 2 security, quality of service (QoS), and up to 1024 active VLANs. LAN Lite models have reduced functionality and scalability with entry level features in layer 2 and provide no routing capability. They do not support stacking.

LAN Base feature set—In addition to the LAN Lite feature set, the LAN Base feature set provides more advanced Layer 2 features, extended scalability, routing capability, and support for stacking with FlexStack-Plus.

https://www.cisco.com/c/en/us/td/docs/switches/lan/catalyst2960x/software/15-0_2_EX/release_notes/OL30810.html#pgfId-246822

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