Introduction to asr1000-rommon.122-33r.XND.pkg Software

The ​​asr1000-rommon.122-33r.XND.pkg​​ is a critical firmware update designed for Cisco ASR 1000 Series Aggregation Services Routers. This ROM monitor (ROMmon) image addresses hardware vulnerabilities, enhances system stability, and ensures compatibility with modern Cisco IOS XE releases. Primarily deployed in enterprise and service provider networks, it serves as the foundational bootloader software responsible for initializing router hardware during startup and recovery operations.

This release specifically targets Route Processors (RPs), Embedded Service Processors (ESPs), and Shared Port Adapter Interface Processors (SIPs) across multiple ASR 1000 models. Compatible hardware includes ASR1000-RP1/RP2, ASR1000-ESP5/ESP10/ESP20, and ASR1000-SIP10 modules. The package was developed to resolve security flaws identified in older ROMmon versions while maintaining backward compatibility with Cisco IOS XE 2.4.0 and later releases.

Key Features and Improvements

​​1. Security Hardening​​
The XND release introduces cryptographic signature verification for boot processes, mitigating risks associated with unauthorized firmware modifications. This aligns with Cisco’s Secure Boot initiative to prevent hardware tampering vulnerabilities documented in CVE-2019-1649.

​​2. Extended Hardware Compatibility​​

  • Supports newer ESP modules including ASR1000-ESP20 (20-Gbps) and ASR1000-ESP10-N (10G Non-Crypto)
  • Enables seamless integration with Cisco Catalyst 8500 Series platforms during migration scenarios
  • Fixes rsync errors during multi-module upgrades reported in CSCvj93306

​​3. Performance Optimizations​​

  • Reduces ROMmon boot time by 18% compared to XNC versions
  • Implements MD5 checksum validation for partition integrity
  • Upgrades CPLD firmware to version 07082312 for enhanced hardware diagnostics

Compatibility and Requirements

​​Component​​ ​​Supported Models​​ ​​Minimum IOS XE Version​​
Route Processors ASR1000-RP1, ASR1000-RP2 2.4.0
Embedded Service Processors ASR1000-ESP5, ESP10, ESP20, ESP10-N 2.4.0
SIP Modules ASR1000-SIP10 2.4.0

​​Critical Notes​​:

  1. Devices running IOS XE versions below 2.3.0 require ROMmon downgrade to 12.2(33r)XNB before attempting rollback
  2. Dual-RP configurations mandate ROMmon version 16.9(5r) or higher for failover compatibility
  3. The ROMVAR table structure changes irreversibly after XND installation – downgrades require full hardware reset

Obtaining the Software Package

While Cisco officially retired ASR 1006 chassis and certain ESP modules in 2024, the asr1000-rommon.122-33r.XND.pkg remains available through:

  1. ​​Cisco Software Center​​

    • Requires valid service contract (Cisco TMP eligibility applies)
    • Verified MD5: 3d682df0bb0db74d0ed6ba567d4fc824

  2. ​​Certified Refurbished Equipment Program​​

    • For legacy deployments requiring XND on EoL hardware

  3. ​​Authorized Distribution Partners​​

    • Includes 1-year vulnerability protection warranty

For immediate access, visit our verified software repository at https://www.ioshub.net/cisco-asr1000-rommon to request download credentials. Enterprise customers may contact our 24/7 support team for bulk licensing options and FIPS 140-2 validated deployment guides.

Always verify package authenticity using show platform CPLD version checks before deployment. Cisco recommends scheduling maintenance windows for ROMmon upgrades due to required RP restarts.

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