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Difference between System Bootstrap and Cisco IOS

I'm new to the Cisco stuff and I'm just playing around with routers such, and am curious what's the difference between the System Bootstrap and the Cisco IOS?

router#show ver
Cisco Internetwork Operating System Software
IOS (tm) C2600 Software (C2600-IK9S-M), Version 12.2(31), RELEASE SOFTWARE (fc2)

Technical Support: http://www.cisco.com/techsupport
Copyright (c) 1986-2005 by cisco Systems, Inc.
Compiled Thu 11-Aug-05 17:24 by tinhuang
Image text-base: 0x8000808C, data-base: 0x8128D9F4

ROM: System Bootstrap, Version 12.2(6r), RELEASE SOFTWARE (fc1)
ROM: C2600 Software (C2600-IK9S-M), Version 12.2(31), RELEASE SOFTWARE (fc2)

Should they also always be on the same main version number? Also I know Cisco provides the IOS's to download and upgrade,but how about the System Bootstrap?

Thanks.

ECNSSMT

The IOS is the full Cisco Operating system that permits the Cisco device to perform all of its routing functions.
The System BootStrap in ROM: contains the minimum code to bring up the Cisco device and permit you to operate minimumly; this should at least permit you to configure the 2600 to download a usable Cisco IOS in the event that the IOS in NVRAM is trashed.

Regards,

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ECNSSMT

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Don Johnston

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Don Johnston

Also, not all ROM's are soldered. I've upgraded Boot ROM on a couple different routers. In fact, the last time I did it was to a 2500 and it was free from Cisco. I haven't looked into the 2600's though.

-Don

Don Johnston

Looks like it is a replaceable part on most 2600's.

http://www.cisco.com/en/US/products/hw/routers/ps259/products_installation_guide_chapter09186a008007e1fb.html#wp93177

-Don

ECNSSMT

I don't doubt that there are Cisco devices with removable parts including ROMs. Considering how many versions of OSes Cisco has for their devices, it would be hard enough not to imagine that they have hardware teams constantly revising or improving their hardware.

Regards,