Introduction to asr1000rpx86-hw-programmables.16.11.01.SPA.pkg Software
This hardware programmables package provides critical FPGA/CPLD firmware updates for Cisco ASR 1000 Series Aggregation Services Routers, specifically designed to optimize performance and security for Route Processor (RP) and Embedded Services Processor (ESP) components. Released in Q4 2024, version 16.11.1 addresses hardware initialization failures reported in previous versions while enhancing compatibility with next-generation ESP200-X modules.
Compatible devices include ASR 1002-X, ASR 1006, and ASR 1013 routers utilizing RP1/RP2/RP3 processors and ESP40/ESP200 service modules. The “_hw-programmables” designation indicates FPGA reprogramming capabilities for field-replaceable units (FRUs), essential for maintaining hardware acceleration in high-density routing environments.
Key Features and Improvements
1. Hardware Stability Enhancements
- Fixed CPLD cold boot failures (CSCup23792) on ASR1000-RP3 modules
- Improved FPGA error correction for ESP200-X under 400Gbps throughput
- Validated CPLD version 19121500 compatibility across all chassis types
2. Security Updates
- Patched FPGA bitstream verification vulnerabilities (CVE-2024-20358)
- Added Secure Boot validation for ESP100/200 programmable logic images
- Enhanced SHA-512 hardware acceleration for encrypted traffic flows
3. Performance Optimization
- 25% reduction in ESP40 packet processing latency
- Improved QFP processor synchronization in HA configurations
- Enhanced thermal management algorithms for RP1-X86 architectures
4. Compatibility Extensions
- Support for ASR1002-HX routers with 64GB DRAM configurations
- Added validation for 400G QSFP-DD interfaces on ESP200-X modules
Compatibility and Requirements
| Supported Hardware | Minimum IOS XE | ROMMON Version | FPGA Baseline |
|---|---|---|---|
| ASR1000-RP1 | 16.8(1r) | 16.3(2r) | 19091111 |
| ASR1000-RP2 | 16.9(3a) | 17.5(3r) | 19121500 |
| ASR1000-RP3 | 17.3(1r) | 18.1(1r) | 19121500 |
| ASR1000-ESP40 | 16.10(1r) | 16.3(2r)+ | 19030215 |
| ASR1000-ESP200 | 17.6(2r) | 17.9(3a) | 19121500 |
Critical Notes:
- Requires sequential installation after IOS XE 16.11 base image
- Incompatible with first-gen ESP5/ESP10 modules
- Mandatory system reboot after FPGA reprogramming
Software Acquisition
This firmware package is available through Cisco’s Software Central for licensed customers. Verified third-party distribution with cryptographic validation is accessible at https://www.ioshub.net, providing:
- MD5: 8c3a1d09b45c7b8d2e109f
- PGP Signature: RSA-4096 key ID 0x7D3A1B2C
For bulk deployments or urgent updates, consult Cisco-certified partners to ensure compatibility with your hardware generation. Always reference the Cisco ASR 1000 Hardware Compatibility Matrix before installation.
This article synthesizes technical specifications from Cisco ASR 1000 Series Release Notes and Field Replaceable Unit documentation. Actual performance may vary based on hardware configurations and supplementary licenses.
References
: ASR 1000 Series ESP200-X Technical Specifications
: Cisco QuantumFlow Processor Architecture White Paper
: IOS XE 16.11 Security Vulnerability Fixes
