Similar to a personal computer, a router or switch cannot function without an operating system. Without an operating system, the hardware does not have any capabilities. The Cisco Internetwork Operating System (IOS) is the system software in Cisco devices. It is the core technology that extends across most of the Cisco product line. The Cisco IOS is used for most Cisco devices regardless of the size and type of the device. It is used for routers, LAN switches, small Wireless Access Points, large routers with dozens of interfaces, and many other devices.
The Cisco IOS provides devices with the following network services:
* Basic routing and switching functions
* Reliable and secure access to networked resources
* Network scalability
The IOS operational details vary on different internetworking devices, depending on the device's purpose and feature set.
The services provided by the Cisco IOS are generally accessed using a command line interface (CLI). The features accessible via the CLI vary based on the version of the IOS and the type of device.
The IOS file itself is several megabytes in size and is stored in a semi-permanent memory area called flash.
Using flash memory allows the IOS to be upgraded to newer versions or to have new features added.
Source: www.cisco.com
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