Overview Of Cisco Ios Xr Software Packages; Package Installation Envelopes - Cisco ASR 9000 Series User Configuration Manual

Overview of Cisco IOS XR Software Packages

Overview of Cisco IOS XR Software Packages
Cisco IOS XR software is divided into software packages so that you can select which features run on your
router. Each package contains the components to perform a specific set of router functions, such as routing,
security, or modular services card (MSC) support. Bundles are groups of packages that can be downloaded
as a set. For example, Cisco IOS XR Unicast Routing Core Bundle (known as mini) provides the main packages
for use on every router.
Adding a package to the router does not affect the operation of the router—it only copies the package files to
a local storage device on the router, known as the boot device (such as the compact flash drive). To make the
package functional on the router, you must activate it for one or more cards.
To upgrade a package, you activate a newer version of the package. When the automatic compatibility checks
have been passed, the new version is activated, and the old version is deactivated.
Activating a software maintenance upgrade (SMU) does not cause any earlier SMUs or the package to
Note
which the SMU applies to be automatically deactivated.
If an interface on a router does not have a configuration and is brought up by performing no-shut operation,
Note
then upon router reload, the interface state changes to admin-shutdown automatically.
To downgrade a package, you activate an older version of the package. When the automatic compatibility
checks have been passed, the older version is activated, and the newer version is deactivated.
Note For more information on the features and components included in each package, refer to the release notes.

Package Installation Envelopes

Package Installation Envelopes (PIEs) are nonbootable files that contain a single package or a set of packages
(called a composite package or bundle). Because the files are nonbootable, they are used to add software
package files to a running router.
PIE files have a pie extension. When a PIE file contains software for a specific bug fix, it is called a software
maintenance upgrade (SMU).
Note Files with the vm extension are bootable installation files used only to replace all current Cisco IOS XR
software. These files are installed from ROM Monitor mode, which causes significant router downtime.
Cisco Systems recommends installing or upgrading software packages only using PIE files as described
in this document. For more information on vm files, see Cisco ASR 9000 Series Aggregation Services
Router ROM Monitor Guide.
Cisco ASR 9000 Series Aggregation Services Router System Management Configuration Guide, Release 5.1.x
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Upgrading and Managing Cisco IOS XR Software