CatOS vs. IOS

[spalislam]

Also, can anyone tell me the pros and cons for using CatOS vs. IOS on Catalyst 6500?

Which situation better suits for either of these?

Thanks,

Senad P.

Net. Specialist

Weber State University

[Prashanth Krishnappa]

If Native IOS has the support for all hardware and features you want, native IOS should be the way to go. So make sure you read the release notes fully before you make the call

http://cio.cisco.com/univercd/cc/td/doc/product/lan/cat6000/relnotes/index.htm

Also there has been some discussion on this in the past which you might find useful

http://forum.cisco.com/eforum/servlet/NetProf?page=netprof&CommCmd=MB?cmd=display_location&mode=new&location=.ee867a4

[spalislam]

Sorry for my ignorance. Side question to this issue is which OS are we talking about?

My 6500 has Cat OS for layer 2. However, it is running IOS on sup card under 'session 15'.

So you are saying, if my hardware is supported, I should upgrade my Cat OS to IOS for layer 2?

Thanks,

sp

[jamey]

You can perform a procedure to migrate from what you have (called hybrid mode) to native IOS mode. In native IOS all layer 2 and 3 functions use IOS style commands (you configure layer2 things pretty much the same way you would configure them on a IOS-based Catalyst switch and you configure layer3 things pretty much the same way you would on a cisco router).

If you have ever worked with a 3550 switch you'll find it is the same as a natvie IOS 6500 (for the most part).

Conversion process:

http://www.cisco.com/en/US/products/hw/switches/ps700/products_tech_note09186a008015bfa6.shtml

Comparison of IOS and CatOS:

http://www.cisco.com/en/US/products/hw/switches/ps708/products_white_paper09186a00800c8441.shtml

Config guide for Native IOS

http://www.cisco.com/en/US/products/hw/switches/ps708/products_configuration_guide_book09186a00800f4fe3.html

-HTH

[jamey]

You can perform a procedure to migrate from what you have (called hybrid mode) to native IOS mode. In native IOS all layer 2 and 3 functions use IOS style commands (you configure layer2 things pretty much the same way you would configure them on a IOS-based Catalyst switch and you configure layer3 things pretty much the same way you would on a cisco router).

If you have ever worked with a 3550 switch you'll find it is the same as a natvie IOS 6500 (for the most part).

Conversion process:

http://www.cisco.com/en/US/products/hw/switches/ps700/products_tech_note09186a008015bfa6.shtml

Comparison of IOS and CatOS:

http://www.cisco.com/en/US/products/hw/switches/ps708/products_white_paper09186a00800c8441.shtml

Config guide for Native IOS

http://www.cisco.com/en/US/products/hw/switches/ps708/products_configuration_guide_book09186a00800f4fe3.html

-HTH

[spalislam]

Well, I have read all the links and investigate some things. According to the links, Native IOS (IOS) does not support several features I want to use, as:

Dynamic Vlans,

Port Security

VMPS

802.1x

RSpan

and some issues with QoS on IP Phones.

However, looking through the command reference of new IOSes, it seems that IOS does support 802.1x, port security, and new stuff on QoS.

My question for is regarding the Dynamic Vlans and VMPS. Are those two features supported on 6500 IOS (native OS)?

In addition, I run IPX on my network as well.

Thanks,

[jamey]

I looked on CCO Software Advisor and do not see support for Dynamic VLANs on IOS images on the 6500. Same goes for 802.1x.

IPX is supported on Native IOS.

-HTH

[andrew.butterworth]

The features you describe are generally associated with Access-Layer switches (dot1x, VMPS, Dynamic VLANs and Port Security). Native IOS is really suited to Core & Distribution switches that don't generally have directly connected hosts.

Stick with CatOS (Layer-2) for your Access-Layer switches and use Native IOS in the Core & Distribution switches where you are aggregating your Uplinks and switching packet without interuptions.

Andy

[spalislam]

Following question to this matter is regarding the actual cat OS image file.

I don't know which catOS has built-in support for IPX (which specific version). And which version of IOS for msfc2 has built-in support for IPX.

I own the licenses for IPX based OSs. However, my CatOS did was not shipped with that specific catOS/IOS.

Any help appreciated

[spalislam]

Why can't I rate the answers to my question? There are some great answers that you guys posted, but I can't rate them for some reason.

If anyone know why, please advise me.

Thanks,

sp