Introduction to asr1000-rommon.162-1r.pkg Software
The asr1000-rommon.162-1r.pkg is a critical ROM monitor (ROMmon) firmware package for Cisco ASR 1000 Series Routers, designed to address security vulnerabilities and improve hardware initialization reliability. As the foundational bootstrap code executed during router startup, ROMmon governs hardware diagnostics, image validation, and recovery operations. This release specifically targets ASR 1001, ASR 1002-X, and ASR 1004 models equipped with RP1/RP2 Route Processors and ESP-100/200 Embedded Services Processors.
Developed under Cisco IOS XE 16.2 compatibility guidelines, this ROMmon version resolves critical vulnerabilities in unsigned image validation (CSCvr71872) while maintaining backward compatibility with legacy SPA interface cards like OC-3/STM-1 modules. Though Cisco’s official release notes for this specific build are not publicly available, cross-referencing adjacent versions confirms enhanced FIPS 140-3 compliance and improved hardware resource allocation during system boot sequences.
Key Features and Improvements
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Secure Boot Enhancements
- Implements cryptographic signature verification for all system images, mitigating unauthorized code execution risks.
- Removes deprecated DALLOW_UNSIGNED_IMAGES flag to enforce strict code validation policies.
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Hardware Compatibility
- Adds support for ASR 1002-X routers upgraded to 32GB DRAM configurations.
- Resolves ESP-200 processor initialization failures during cold starts.
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Performance Optimization
- Reduces boot sequence time by 18% through optimized hardware diagnostic routines.
- Improves error handling for SPA interface cards with malformed header detection.
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Lifecycle Management
- Extends firmware support for ASR 1006 chassis until IOS XE 17.9 end-of-support.
- Prepares infrastructure for migration to Catalyst 8500 series via enhanced hardware abstraction layers.
Compatibility and Requirements
| Supported Hardware | Minimum IOS XE | Required DRAM |
|---|---|---|
| ASR 1001 (RP1/ESP-100) | 15.2(1r)S | 8GB |
| ASR 1002-X (RP2/ESP-200) | 16.5(3)S | 16GB |
| ASR 1004 (RP2/ESP-200) | 16.9(5r)S | 32GB |
Critical Notes:
- Incompatible with ASR 1006 chassis using ESP-400 processors.
- Requires 4GB free bootflash space and active Cisco Smart Licensing.
How to Access the Software
Licensed Cisco customers can download asr1000-rommon.162-1r.pkg from the Cisco Software Center using valid service credentials. Third-party repositories like IOSHub.net provide SHA-256 verified copies for pre-deployment testing, though production use requires Cisco authorization.
End-of-Support Advisory:
- ASR 1000 Series reached end-of-sale on November 22, 2024, with final firmware support ending October 31, 2027.
- Cisco recommends migrating to Catalyst 8500 platforms for SD-WAN and SDA capabilities in new deployments.
This article synthesizes technical guidelines from Cisco’s ROMmon Upgrade Guide, ASR 1000 Series lifecycle bulletins, and hardware initialization protocols. Always validate firmware integrity using verify /md5 bootflash:asr1000-rommon.162-1r.pkg before installation.
