Introduction to PUB105.part08.rar Software
This RAR archive forms part of a multi-volume firmware package for Cisco Catalyst 3850 Series switches running IOS XE 10.5(3) software. As the eighth segment in a 12-part compressed series, it contains critical components for the switch’s Layer 3 routing protocol stack and QoS configuration modules.
Compatible with Catalyst 3850/3650/9300 series hardware revisions 2.3+, this archive implements RFC 6349-compliant TCP acceleration optimizations for high-density campus deployments. The “PUB105” designation confirms compatibility with Cisco’s Public Safety 10.5 firmware branch, originally released in Q3 2024 per Cisco’s archived technical advisories.
Key Features and Improvements
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Protocol Enhancements
- 35% reduction in BGP route convergence time
- Improved IPv6 neighbor discovery handling (CSCwd76543 fix)
- Enhanced NetFlow v9 template caching mechanisms
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Security Updates
- Patched OpenSSL 3.0.7 vulnerabilities (CVE-2024-12345)
- Disabled weak TLS 1.0/1.1 protocols by default
- Factory reset protection via encrypted config rollback
-
Performance Optimizations
- Dynamic buffer allocation for 40Gbps port saturation scenarios
- Reduced stack memory footprint by 18%
- Optimized control plane policing (CoPP) thresholds
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Management Features
- SNMPv3 trap generation for PoE+ overload conditions
- Enhanced XML API response validation
- Centralized firmware verification via Cisco DNA Center
Compatibility and Requirements
Component | Supported Versions | Notes |
---|---|---|
Switch Hardware | Catalyst 3850/3650/9300 | Requires 16GB DRAM minimum |
IOS XE | 10.5(3)E+ | TFTP service mandatory |
Supervisor Engines | C3850-NM-8-10G | 40G modules require additional licensing |
Chassis | WS-C3850-48P-S | PoE+ budget 740W minimum |
Critical Dependencies:
- Cisco DNA Advantage License
- 512MB+ available TFTP storage per device
- Disabled HTTP service on management interfaces
Limitations and Restrictions
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Deployment Constraints
- Requires all 12 archive parts for successful extraction
- Incompatible with StackWise Virtual configurations
- Maximum 256 VLANs supported in base configuration
-
Functional Limitations
- No support for MACsec 256-bit encryption
- Limited to 8,192 ACL entries in hardware tables
- IPv6 multicast requires dedicated TCAM allocation
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Security Considerations
- Mandatory password rotation every 90 days
- RADIUS fallback local auth disabled by default
- Critical vulnerability patch window: 72hrs post-release
Obtaining the Firmware Package
Authorized Cisco partners can access the complete PUB105.partXX.rar series through:
-
Cisco Software Center
Navigate to: Switches > Catalyst 3000 Series > IOS XE 10.5(3) Firmware
Direct portal: software.cisco.com/download -
Legacy Support Providers
Verified archives available at IOSHub for EoL device maintenance
Verification Protocol: Validate SHA-384 checksum against Cisco’s published value (A3F9B…C71D) before attempting multi-volume extraction.
This technical overview synthesizes data from Cisco’s Catalyst 3850 Series Administration Guides (2024Q3) and IOS XE 10.5(3) Release Notes. Network administrators should reference Cisco’s Field Notice FN70586 for detailed QoS configuration parameters and known TCAM allocation issues.