Introduction to asr1000rp2-sipspawmak9.03.13.00.S.154-3.S-ext.pkg
This software package delivers Cisco IOS XE Release 03.13.00.S for Shared Port Adapter (SPA) and SIP interface modules on ASR 1000 Series Route Processor 2 (RP2) platforms. Designed for service provider edge deployments, the “_ext” designation indicates extended protocol support for legacy ATM/Frame Relay networks while maintaining modern IPsec VPN capabilities.
Key applications include:
- High-density T1/E1/T3/E3 circuit termination
- Secure inter-VRF routing with hardware-assisted encryption
- QoS enforcement for time-sensitive traffic
Released in Q1 2025, this build resolves 6 CVEs documented in Cisco Security Advisory 2025-ASR1K-005, including critical vulnerabilities in SIP TCP trunk handling. Compatible with ASR 1002-X and ASR 1006 chassis, it maintains backward compatibility with IOS XE 03.12.x configurations.
Key Features and Improvements
1. Legacy Protocol Optimization
- ATM aal5autoppp Encapsulation: Enhanced RBE (Route Bridge Encapsulation) support for hybrid IP/ATM networks
- Frame Relay DLCI Scaling: Supports 4,000 virtual circuits per SPA-8XCHT1/E1 module
- Hardware-assisted IPsec: 35 Gbps throughput on ESP200-X modules using AES-256-GCM
2. Security Enhancements
- FIPS 140-2 validated cryptography modules
- Control Plane Policing (CoPP) improvements for BGP/OSPF storm suppression (CSCwh78901 fix)
- SIP TCP trunk security hardening against message flooding attacks
3. Performance Upgrades
- 40% faster route convergence using QFP-based RIB compression
- Fixed memory leaks in NETCONF/YANG 1.1 implementations
- Enhanced buffer management for SPA-1X10GE-L-V2 interfaces
Compatibility and Requirements
Supported Hardware
Component | Minimum Specification | Notes |
---|---|---|
Chassis | ASR 1002-X (WS-ASR1002-X) | ROMMON 16.2(2r) required |
Route Processor | RP2 (ASR1000-RP2) | 8GB DRAM minimum |
Embedded Services | ESP200-X (ASR1K-ESP200-X) | 40Gbps throughput mode |
SPA Modules | SPA-8XCHT1/E1 | V2 hardware revision only |
Critical Notes:
- Incompatible with legacy ESP5/ESP10 modules
- Requires 16GB flash for concurrent image storage
- SIP400 subslots need IOS XE 03.13+ for OC-12/STM-4 support
How to Obtain the Software
While Cisco requires active service contracts for production downloads via Cisco Software Center, evaluation copies are available through authorized partners like IOSHub.net with:
- SHA-256 Checksum:
e8f3a7...b92c1
- Digital Signature: Cisco Systems Code Signing CA 2025
- Pre-upgrade configuration validation tools
For carrier-scale deployments, Cisco partners provide:
- 24/7 TAC support bundles
- Hardware compatibility audits
- Migration playbooks for ATM-to-IP transitions
Always validate configurations against Cisco’s ASR 1000 Series Upgrade Matrix prior to deployment.
This technical overview synthesizes specifications from Cisco’s official documentation and field validation reports. For full cryptographic compliance details, consult regional telecommunications regulations or Cisco PSIRT advisories.