We’re excited to announce the stable release candidate (RC) of cloud management with IOS XE 17.18.2 - now available for all organizations in dashboard (firmware upgrades -> 'other available versions' tab).
Building on the introduction of IOS XE 17.18, we have brought greater stability, additional model support, and new capabilities that drive advanced use cases from the cloud.
- In IOS XE 17.18.1 we introduced support for features like BGP, VRF, In-Service Software Upgrades, and expanded support for the entire Catalyst 9200,9300, C9500H, and the new C9350 families.
- Now with IOS XE 17.18.2, we are introducing brand new cloud EVPN fabric capabilities, Virtual Router Redundancy Protocol (VRRP) support, and more advanced management capabilities.
What's new in cloud management with IOS XE 17.18.2
Enhanced Resilience
- UAC Allow List (Early Access): Specify which interfaces are eligible for uplink selection for even more control (building on UAC Auto Fallback in 17.15)
- Warm Spare (VRRP) Support: Enable two L3 switches to act as redundant gateways for seamless failover and improved reliability.
Advanced Management Capabilities
- Local VLAN DB Config: Configure VLANs directly from the Local Status Page for faster, on-site troubleshooting and more flexible operations.
- SmartPort Automation (Early Access - Coming Soon): Dynamically apply correct port profiles based on device detection, ensuring consistent, error-free configuration and streamlined deployment.
- VRF Enhancements: New tools like VRF traceroute and the Multicast Live Tool deliver fast, accurate troubleshooting and real-time monitoring of network paths and multicast traffic, boosting visibility and performance.
- Cloud-Managed EVPN Fabric: Easily build scalable, secure, and efficient Layer 2/Layer 3 networks with simplified operations and consistent policy across large sites.
These enhancements bring greater resilience, capability, and efficiency to organizations managing IOS XE switches from the dashboard; while enabling support for large campus use cases where resilience, control, and automation are required.
Learn more
For more details on IOS XE 17.18.2, check out the release notes in dashboard or visit documentation for the full scoop.
Other Resource
- Cloud management with IOS XE overview and key considerations before upgrade or migrate here
- Migration from CLI to cloud management with cloud configuration documentation
- Refer to this Firmware Release Process to learn more about Stable Release Candidate (RC).
Share Your Experience with Us
Let us know about your experience with cloud management with IOS XE here.
Happy Holidays!
