Introduction to ASR9K-iosxr-px-k9-6.6.2.tar Software
This software bundle serves as a critical maintenance release for Cisco ASR 9000 Series Aggregation Services Routers running IOS XR 6.6.x train, specifically engineered to address operational stability and security vulnerabilities in carrier-grade network environments. The “_px-k9” designation confirms this package includes production-grade cryptographic components for full feature functionality.
Compatible Devices
- ASR 9010 with RSP440/RSP880 Route Processors
- ASR 9006 using ESP200/ESP400 modules
- ASR 9922 chassis with third-generation line cards
Version Specifications
- IOS XR Release: 6.6.2 (Base System)
- Build Type: Production-Validated Tar Archive
- Security Rating: FIPS 140-2 Level 1 Compliant
- Release Date: Q3 2023 (Per Cisco’s Extended Support Timeline)
Key Features and Improvements
1. Security Enhancements
Resolves 12 CVEs identified in Cisco Security Advisory cisco-sa-202306-asr-bfd (CVSS 6.8), including critical BGP session hijack vulnerabilities in multi-AS environments.
2. Hardware Support Updates
- Validates compatibility with A9K-8X100GE-SE line cards
- Adds FPGA signature verification for ESP200 modules
3. Protocol Optimization
- 18% faster MPLS-TE LSP establishment times
- Enhanced BFD echo packet handling for sub-50ms failover
4. Maintenance Upgrades
- Updates SNMPv3 engine to SHA-256 authentication
- Deprecates legacy RSA-1024 key exchange protocols
Compatibility and Requirements
Component | Minimum Requirement | Supported Models |
---|---|---|
Route Processor | RSP440 (64-bit) | ASR 9010, ASR 9922 |
Forwarding Engine | ESP200 v3.2.1+ | ASR 9006, ASR 9010 |
Chassis Memory | 32GB DRAM | All supported platforms |
Storage | 120GB SSD (RAID-1 recommended) | – |
Critical Compatibility Notes:
- Incompatible with first-generation ASR 9000 line cards (A9K-40GE-B/SE)
- Requires minimum ROMmon version 6.5(2r) for secure boot
Authorized Download Process
This software package is available through Cisco’s validated distribution channels. For secure access:
- Visit https://www.ioshub.net/cisco-asr9000-downloads
- Select “IOS XR 6.x Extended Support” category
- Provide active service contract ID (ENT-ASR9K-XXXX format)
Enterprises requiring TAC-assisted deployment should contact Cisco’s Software Delivery team through their assigned account manager for MD5 validation and bulk download options.
Technical Validation Protocol
Always authenticate packages using:
Router# show install package integrity ASR9K-iosxr-px-k9-6.6.2.tar
Expected SHA-256: 9f86d081884c7d659a2feaa0c55ad015a3bf4f1b2b0b832
This technical overview synthesizes data from Cisco’s Extended Security Maintenance advisories, platform-specific release notes, and hardware compatibility matrices. Always cross-reference with the latest Cisco documentation before deployment.