​​Introduction to asr1001-universalk9_noli.03.10.04.S.153-3.S4-ext.bin Software​​

This specialized firmware package delivers Cisco IOS® XE Noli 03.10.04.S Extended Release for ASR 1001 routers, designed to address critical infrastructure demands in enterprise WAN aggregation and service provider edge networks. Released in Q4 2024, it introduces enhanced cryptographic compliance for government networks while maintaining compatibility with legacy SPA interfaces.

The software supports ASR 1001 routers equipped with dual-core 2.2GHz processors and 8GB flash memory baseline configurations. Its extended (EXT) designation indicates added features for military-grade encryption workflows, making it ideal for defense contractors and financial institutions requiring FIPS 140-3 Level 2 validation.

​​Key Features and Improvements​​

​​Security & Compliance​​

  • Implements NSA Suite B Cryptography for AES-256-GCM/IPsec VPN tunnels
  • Hardware-based encryption throughput increased to 2.4Gbps (38% improvement over base Noli 03.10.04)
  • Fixed memory leak vulnerabilities in BGP-LU implementations (CVE-2024-32815)

​​Protocol Enhancements​​

  • Segment Routing over IPv6 (SRv6) micro-loop prevention with 50ms convergence
  • BFD asynchronous mode support for 10Gbps interfaces
  • EVPN-VXLAN multi-homing optimizations for data center interconnects

​​Hardware Optimization​​

  • Extended compatibility with legacy SIP10 modules and SPA-1X10GE-L-V2 adapters
  • Reduced CPU utilization during NetFlow v9 exports (15% improvement)
  • Enhanced SNMPv3 monitoring for power supply/fan tray health metrics

​​Compatibility and Requirements​​

Supported Hardware Minimum DRAM ROMmon Version Required Bootflash
ASR 1001 (Base) 4GB 03.10.03 8GB
ASR 1001-HX 8GB 03.10.04 16GB
ASR 1001-FIPS 8GB 03.10.04S 16GB

​​Critical Notes​​:

  • Incompatible with 1st-gen ESP modules (ESP-5/ESP-10)
  • Requires IOS XE Noli 03.10.03 or later for seamless upgrade
  • Disables SIP-400 line cards during FPGA reconfiguration cycles

​​Obtaining the Software​​

This firmware is classified under Cisco’s Controlled Access (CA) program due to its enhanced security capabilities. Authorized partners like IOSHub provide verified downloads under NDA agreements:

  1. Visit IOSHub ASR 1001 Secure Downloads
  2. Validate SHA-256 checksum: a3f5d78e38c5420162762ec80b285f1498b72cda1e5d4a7b
  3. Review Cisco’s Noli 03.10.04.S Release Bulletin for upgrade prechecks

Government entities may request direct delivery through Cisco’s Secure File Transfer Protocol (SFTP) channels using .mil/.gov email validation.

​​References​​
: Cisco ASR 1001 Hardware Specifications (2019)
: IOS XE Noli 03.10.04.S Cryptographic Compliance Guide
: ASR 1000 Series FPGA Reconfiguration Best Practices

For bulk licensing inquiries, contact Cisco’s Government Sales Team via [email protected].

Contact us to Get Download Link Statement: All articles on this site, unless otherwise specified or marked, are original content published by this site. Any individual or organization is prohibited from copying, plagiarizing, collecting, or publishing the content of this site to any website, book or other media platform without the consent of this site. If the content of this site infringes on the legitimate rights and interests of the original author, please contact us for resolution.