Release Notes

11
Release Notes for Cisco Intrusion Prevention System 5.1(7)E1
OL-8492-01
Before Upgrading to Cisco IPS 5.1(7)E1
Major and Minor Updates, Service Packs, and Patch Releases
Figure 1 illustrates what each part of the IPS software file represents for major and minor updates,
service packs, and patch releases.
Figure 1 IPS Software File Name for Major and Minor Updates, Service Packs, and Patch
Releases
Major Update
Contains new functionality or an architectural change in the product. For example, the IPS 5.0 base
version includes everything (except deprecated features) since the previous major release (the minor
update features, service pack fixes, and signature updates) plus any new changes. Major update 5.0(1)
requires 4.x. With each major update there are corresponding system and recovery packages.
Note The 5.0(1) major update is only used to upgrade 4.x 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 update.
Minor Update
Incremental to the major version. Minor updates are also base versions for service packs. The first minor
update for 5.0 is 5.1(1). Minor updates are released for minor enhancements to the product. Minor
updates contain all previous minor features (except deprecated features), service pack fixes, signature
updates since the last major version, and the new minor features being released. You can install the minor
updates on the previous major or minor version (and often even on earlier versions). The minimum
supported version needed to upgrade to the newest minor version is listed in the Readme that
accompanies the minor update. With each minor update there are corresponding system and recovery
packages.
Service Packs
Cumulative following a base version release (minor or major). Service packs are used for the release of
defect fixes with no new enhancements. Service packs contain all service pack fixes since the last base
version (minor or major) and the new defect fixes being released. Service packs require the minor
version. The minimum supported version needed to upgrade to the newest service pack is listed in the
Readme that accompanies the service pack. Service packs also include the latest engine update. For
example, if service pack 6.0(3) is released, and E3 is the latest engine level, the service pack is released
as 6.0(3)E3.