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Installing Cisco Intrusion Prevention System Appliances and Modules 5.0
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Chapter 10 Obtaining Software
IPS Software Versioning
IPS Software Image Naming Conventions
When you download IPS software images from Cisco.com, you should understand the versioning
scheme so that you know which files are base files, which are cumulative, and which are incremental.
Note
You can determine which software version is installed on your sensor by using the show version
command.
Figure 10-1
illustrates what each part of the IPS software file represents:
Figure 10-1
IPS Software File Name
A major version upgrade contains new functionality or an architectural change in the product. For
example, the Cisco IPS 5.0 base version release includes everything since the previous major release (the
minor version features, service pack fixes, and signature updates) plus any new changes. Major upgrade
5.0(1) requires 4.1.
Note
The 5.0(1) major upgrade is only used to upgrade 4.1 sensors to 5.0(1). If you are reinstalling 5.0(1) on
a sensor that already has 5.0(1) installed, use the system image or recovery procedures rather than the
major upgrade.
A minor version upgrade is incremental to the major version. Minor version upgrades are also base
versions for service packs. The first minor version upgrade for 5.0 is 5.1(1). Minor version upgrades are
released for minor enhancements to the product. Minor version upgrades contain all previous minor
features, service pack fixes, and signature updates since the last major version, and the new minor
features being released. The minor upgrade requires the major version.
126921
IPS-maj-w.x-y-.pkg
Update Type
Major Version Level
Minor Version Level
Service Pack Level
IDS-K9-sp-5.0-2-.pkg–Service Pack Update
IDS-K9-min-5.1-1-.pkg–Minor Version Update
IDS-K9-maj-5.0-1-.pkg–Major Version Update
IPS-sig-Sx-minreq-5.0-1.pkg
Update Type
Signature Level
Minimum Software Requirement