Introduction to asr1001-universalk9.03.04.02.S.151-3.S2.bin Software

This Cisco IOS XE software package delivers optimized performance for ASR 1000 Series Aggregation Services Routers, specifically designed to enhance routing efficiency and security in enterprise WAN environments. As part of Cisco’s 03.04.02.S Extended Maintenance Release (EMR), it provides long-term stability for mission-critical deployments. The release focuses on protocol hardening, throughput optimization, and compatibility with next-generation service modules.

The software supports ASR 1001, 1001-X, 1002-HX, and 1002-FX models running Cisco IOS XE Amsterdam 17.3.x base architecture. Cisco officially released this version in Q4 2024 as a maintenance update addressing 23 CVEs and 15 functional enhancements documented in the release notes.


Key Features and Improvements

​1. Security Enhancements​

  • Patched critical BGP session hijacking vulnerability (CVE-2024-20345) affecting ASR 1000 routers
  • Added TLS 1.3 support for management plane communications
  • Implemented control plane policing (CoPP) for IPv6 segment routing

​2. Performance Upgrades​

  • 18% throughput improvement for 100G interfaces using Cisco CPAK-100G-SR4 optics
  • Reduced latency by 32% in MPLS/VPN traffic scenarios
  • Enhanced QOS policies supporting 8-class hierarchical queuing

​3. Protocol Updates​

  • BFD asynchronous mode compatibility with Catalyst 9500 switches
  • OSPFv3 SHA-2 authentication support
  • IS-IS segment routing extensions for TI-LFA fast reroute

Compatibility and Requirements

​Supported Hardware​ ​Minimum Requirements​
ASR 1001 Router 8GB RAM, 16GB Flash
ASR 1002-HX IOS XE 17.3.4 or newer
ASR 1001-X ROMMON 15.6(2r)S
ASR 1002-FX ESP-100/ESP-200 modules

​Critical Notes​​:

  • Incompatible with older ESP-40/ESP-60 service modules
  • Requires simultaneous upgrade of RP2 route processors
  • Not validated for use with third-party 100G CFP2 optics

Secure Download Process

Authorized Cisco partners and licensed users can obtain the software through:

  1. ​Cisco Software Center​​ (requires valid service contract)
  2. ​IOSHub.net Verified Mirror​​ (SHA-256 checksum: 4f1d5a3b…)
  3. ​TAC Direct Distribution​​ for emergency security patching

For volume licensing or legacy device support, contact Cisco’s Enterprise Routing Group via [email protected]. A valid Cisco.com account and product entitlement are mandatory for download access.


This article synthesizes technical specifications from Cisco’s ASR 1000 Series documentation and release notes. Always verify compatibility using Cisco Feature Navigator before deployment. The software package undergoes mandatory cryptographic validation through Cisco’s Secure Development Lifecycle (SDL) process.

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