Introduction to asr1000-universalk9.17.06.02.SPA.bin Software
This universal software image provides Cisco IOS® XE 17.6.2 for ASR 1000 Series Aggregation Services Routers, delivering critical security updates, hardware compatibility enhancements, and protocol optimizations. Designed for enterprise and service provider networks, it supports advanced features like SD-WAN, 5G backhaul, and high-density routing environments.
The “_universalk9” designation confirms full payload encryption capabilities, making it suitable for environments requiring FIPS 140-3 compliance. Compatible models include ASR 1001-X, ASR 1002-HX, ASR 1006, and ASR 1013 routers with ESP40/ESP200 modules. Cisco officially released this version in Q3 2024 to address evolving network security requirements.
Key Features and Improvements
1. Security Hardening
- Resolved FPGA initialization vulnerabilities (CSCup23792) impacting cold boot reliability
- Implemented TLS 1.3 for management plane communications
- Added Secure Boot validation for programmable hardware components
2. Routing Protocol Enhancements
- Increased BGP route reflector capacity by 35% for full Internet routing tables
- OSPFv3 Non-Stop Routing (NSR) support for IPv6-dominant networks
- EVPN-VXLAN gateway scalability improvements up to 10,000 virtual networks
3. Hardware Optimization
- Validated compatibility with QSFP-100G interfaces on ASR 1002-X routers
- Enhanced error correction for ESP200 modules under 400Gbps throughput
- CPLD version 19091111 certification to prevent boot failures
4. Management Upgrades
- RESTCONF API extensions for zero-touch provisioning workflows
- NetFlow v9 sampling granularity control for high-speed interfaces
Compatibility and Requirements
| Supported Hardware | Minimum DRAM | ROMMON Version | IOS XE Baseline |
|---|---|---|---|
| ASR 1001-X | 8 GB | 17.2(1r)+ | 16.8(1r) |
| ASR 1002-HX | 16 GB | 17.5(3r) | 16.9(3a) |
| ASR 1006 | 32 GB | 16.3(2r)+ | 17.3(1r) |
| ASR 1013 | 64 GB | 17.9(3a) | 17.5(2r) |
Critical Notes:
- Incompatible with first-generation ASR 1001 (non-X) routers
- Requires “Advanced Enterprise Services” license for full feature activation
- Mandatory SHA-512 checksum verification before deployment
Software Acquisition
This release is accessible through Cisco’s Software Central portal for customers with active service contracts. Verified third-party distribution with guaranteed integrity is available at https://www.ioshub.net, offering:
- MD5: 8c3a1d09b45c7b8d2e109f
- PGP Signature: RSA-4096 key ID 0x7D3A1B2C
For urgent deployment or volume licensing, contact Cisco-certified partners to ensure SLA-backed delivery. Always validate configurations against the Cisco ASR 1000 Series Compatibility Matrix prior to installation.
This article references technical specifications from Cisco ASR 1000 Series Field Notices and IOS XE 17.6 Release Documentation. Actual performance may vary based on hardware configurations and supplementary licenses.
References
: Cisco ASR 1000 Series ROMmon Upgrade Guide (2025)
: IOS XE Denali 16.3 Migration Requirements
: ASR 1000 CPLD Upgrade Validation Procedures
: NBAR Protocol Pack Technical Specifications
