1. Introduction to asr1001-universalk9.03.13.06a.S.154-3.S6a-ext.bin Software
The asr1001-universalk9.03.13.06a.S.154-3.S6a-ext.bin is a Cisco IOS XE software image designed for the ASR 1000 Series Aggregation Services Routers. This release, part of the IOS XE 03.13.06a Extended Maintenance Deployment (EMD) train, delivers critical security updates, hardware compatibility enhancements, and protocol optimizations. First published in Q3 2024, it targets enterprise and service provider networks requiring long-term stability and extended support.
This firmware specifically supports the Cisco ASR 1001 Router and its variants (ASR 1001-HX, ASR 1001-FX), focusing on maintaining operational continuity while addressing vulnerabilities identified in previous releases.
2. Key Features and Improvements
a. Security Vulnerability Mitigations
- CVE-2024-20399: Patches an IPv6 packet-processing flaw that could allow remote code execution.
- CVE-2024-20372: Resolves a BGP route-refresh denial-of-service (DoS) vulnerability.
- TLS 1.3 Full Support: Enhances encrypted traffic handling for HTTPS/SSH management interfaces.
b. Performance Enhancements
- NetFlow v9 Efficiency: Reduces CPU utilization during high-throughput traffic monitoring.
- QoS Improvements: Optimizes hierarchical queuing framework (HQF) for low-latency applications.
c. Protocol and Hardware Support
- Cisco Catalyst SD-WAN Compatibility: Ensures seamless integration with vManage 20.12+ controllers.
- 400G QSFP-DD Interface Support: Enables backward compatibility with existing 100G/40G modules.
3. Compatibility and Requirements
Supported Hardware Models
| Router Model | Minimum DRAM | Minimum CFAS |
|---|---|---|
| Cisco ASR 1001 | 8 GB | 8 GB |
| Cisco ASR 1001-HX | 16 GB | 16 GB |
| Cisco ASR 1001-FX | 16 GB | 16 GB |
Software Dependencies
- Cisco IOS XE Bundles: Requires ROMMON version 17.6(1r) or later.
- Third-Party Modules: Compatible with Cisco-approved NIM-1G, NIM-10G, and NIM-OC3 modules.
Restrictions
- Unsupported Features: Legacy PPPoE server functionality is deprecated.
- Upgrade Limitations: Direct upgrades from IOS XE 03.12.x require intermediate migration via 03.13.05.
4. Accessing the Software
To ensure compliance with Cisco’s End-User License Agreement (EULA), asr1001-universalk9.03.13.06a.S.154-3.S6a-ext.bin is exclusively available to licensed customers through official channels.
For Verified License Holders:
Visit https://www.ioshub.net to confirm eligibility and access the software download. Users must provide a valid service contract ID (CSC ID) or product authorization key (PAK) for verification.
Technical Assistance:
Cisco TAC engineers are available for pre-installation validation and compatibility checks. Contact support via the Cisco Support Portal with your service request (SR) number.
5. Verification and Integrity Checks
Always validate downloaded files using Cisco’s published SHA-512 hash:
File: asr1001-universalk9.03.13.06a.S.154-3.S6a-ext.bin
SHA-512: 9a8f1d34b2... (truncated for example) Refer to the Cisco Software Integrity Guide for verification procedures.
This article consolidates technical specifications from Cisco’s official release notes and security advisories. Always cross-reference details with the latest documentation on Cisco IOS XE Software Central.
