2801 with a 512MB Memory module upgrade

[Douglas Fernando Fischer]

Its possible?

I'm aware that 2801 are officially limited to 384 MB of memory, 128MB on board and 256 MB on a Module(Only one because it has a single slot).

http://www.cisco.com/en/US/prod/collateral/routers/ps5853/product_bulletin_c25_609035_ps5854_Products_Bulletin.html

But here are some questions:

Physically the 256MB DRAM Module designed for 2801 and 512MB module designed for bigger routers are different how?

• The slot connectors are the same?
  • Would the IOS does no recognize that bigger memory?
• Would I face some performance Issues?

Does anybody has already tried it?

[Leo Laohoo]

Won't work.  The clocks are different.

[Douglas Fernando Fischer]

Feature Navigator show some IOS tha uses 512Mb on 2801 Router...

See picture attached.

This is more then de official limitation...

What about it?

[mvsheik123]

Hi Douglas,

Could be wrong in the specs. If you look at the latest releases - 15.1.3 T3 and 15.1.4M2 - The DRAM listed as 384MB. 

Also, if you look at the files size its on 53MB.  Check in the 'download software' section. I agree with 'leolaohoo'.

hth

MS

[Leo Laohoo]

Clocks are different.

Firstly, the "bigger routers" are bigger beasts.  Hence they need memory with higher clock speed.

Next, Cisco will not allow this because that means every-man-and-his-dog will be ordering DRAMs for 1800 and inserting them into 3800.

[Douglas Fernando Fischer]

OK, understood.

Cisco won't sell it!

Cisco won't say it works!

But, maybe, as happened with PIX, could be possible to use generic memory in this upgrades!?!?!

Please consider that we are playing here...

Q.1 - If I'd use a common Laptop Memory PC133 of 256MB, would it work?

Q.1.1 - Does anybody has already did it?

Q2 - If answer to Q1 would be "yes", if I use a 512MB Memory, would it be recognized/work?

[Leo Laohoo]

Douglas Fernando Fischer wrote:
OK, understood.
Cisco won't sell it!
Cisco won't say it works!

Sorry.  Wasn't meant to offend anyone.

Please consider that we are playing here...
Q.1 - If I'd use a common Laptop Memory PC133 of 256MB, would it work?
Q.1.1 - Does anybody has already did it?
Q2 - If answer to Q1 would be "yes", if I use a 512MB Memory, would it be recognized/work?

Woooooo ... You are playing in alien territory here.  There are some websites that offer 3rd party DRAMs but I can't be certain if the products being sold will work or not.  I mean, there are two "levels" of work.  One will it work as soon as you insert the memory and power up the router or will it STILL work 1 year down the track.

[Douglas Fernando Fischer]

So, my homework for tomorrow is start the Herculean task of finding, lost in some drawer of some store, a PC133 memory stick of 256MB and one of 512MB.

Lets play...

[Douglas Fernando Fischer]

Considering that I'm in a (far-fa-away) country town, and that my dedication on the search for this memory was not that big, I finally found two memory modules, 1xPC133X256MB and 1xPC133X512MB, for a reasonable price.

Tomorrow I will catch they to a test in a 2801.

Many doubts:

• Which Version should I use?
• Which Featureset should I use?
• How could I test the memory compatibility with the router?
  • Ok, It can come UP, and present the role amount of memory.
  • But how to enforce it? Something like memtest in linux world?!?

After the tests I will update the thread.

And closing the reply: I found another crazy guy who did the same crazy thing:

http://www.natecarlson.com/2007/07/17/cisco-2801s-use-standard-laptop-memory/

[data]

So, the 2801 work with 512mb sodimm pc133 ram module and with 4gb Compact Flash?

[jposada_us]

It should work but don't telle cisco you are doing that.

[jasonmadruga84]

I once put a 512 stick in a 2600 and the Cisco police were at my door in like 5 minutes! Boy was I in big trouble...

[jasonmadruga84]

I just got my hands on a 2801 on eBay for about $32 and a 256 MB stick on eBay here for $6.5: http://www.ebay.com/itm/Cisco-2811-2821-2851-256MB-DRAM-MEM2811-256D-MEM2821-256D-MEM2851-256D-/141415150446

According to Cisco, the most I need for their 15.14 dated March 2015 is 384:

https://software.cisco.com/download/release.html?mdfid=279316777&softwareid=280805680

Those IOS images that need the 384 also need the 128 MB of flash which I don't have. I'll be sticking with the IOSs that need the lesser 64 MB of flash and 256 MB of RAM. I'm just studying for right now and the IP Base images are just fine.

[jasonmadruga84]

The 2811, 2821, 2851, routers use 184-pin DDR RAM, the 2801 uses 144-pin SDRAM.