Strategy & Planning
Develop a clear strategy to speed up your projects with help from Cisco experts. Align your IOS XE deployment with business objectives and map out a migration path that minimizes risk.
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Cisco IOS XE
Software for an evolving network
More uptime, more security, and more automation. Access advanced tools designed for resilient, secure, and efficient operations across your entire enterprise infrastructure.
The modern network operating system
Cisco IOS XE is the unified operating system powering Cisco Catalyst switches, wireless controllers, access points, and routers. It delivers programmability, automation, and built-in security to help organizations cut downtime, fortify defenses, and simplify network management—from the campus core to the branch edge.
Build a network that can match your ambitions
Cisco IOS XE delivers three foundational pillars for modern enterprise networking: connectivity that reduces downtime, security you can trust, and automation that simplifies operations at scale.
Connect
Boost your network’s resilience and cut both planned and unplanned downtime with features like In-Service Software Upgrade (ISSU) and graceful switchover across the Catalyst portfolio.
Secure
Defend against modern cyberattacks with trustworthy data from a platform that’s secure and resilient. IOS XE integrates zero-trust security, encrypted traffic analytics, and segmentation.
Automate
Automate routine tasks, easily manage configurations, and run apps directly on your network devices. IOS XE supports NETCONF, RESTCONF, YANG models, and programmable APIs.
Campus fabric architecture
Campus fabric architectures fundamentally transform how networks are operated by unifying management and security into a single logical entity. Provisioning new devices, onboarding them into an existing network, and securing connected users becomes drastically more efficient—all powered by IOS XE switches, wireless access points, and secure routers.
Programmability
NETCONF, RESTCONF, gNMI, and YANG data models enable model-driven programmability for automated configuration, monitoring, and lifecycle management at scale.
Automation
Zero-touch provisioning, template-based deployment, and native Ansible and Terraform support reduce manual tasks and accelerate network rollouts across sites.
Security
Integrated TrustSec, encrypted traffic analytics, and macro/microsegmentation with Security Group Tags (SGTs) enforce zero-trust policies campus-wide.
Cloud Management
Manage IOS XE switches from the Meraki dashboard or Catalyst Center. Cloud-managed fabric orchestrates VXLAN EVPN through a unified cloud platform.
Products supported by Cisco IOS XE
Enterprise Switches
Cisco Catalyst 9200, 9300, 9400, 9500, 9600, C9350 Smart, and C9610 Smart Series deliver campus LAN switching with integrated security and automation.
Wireless Controllers & APs
Cisco Catalyst 9800 Series wireless controllers and Catalyst 9100 Access Points provide enterprise wireless with fabric integration and cloud management.
Branch & Edge Routers
Cisco Catalyst 8000 Edge Platforms, ISR 4000, and ISR 1000 Series deliver SD-WAN, security, and application hosting at the branch edge.
Aggregation Routers
Cisco ASR 1000 Series, ASR 900 Series, and NCS 4200 Series provide high-performance WAN aggregation and service provider edge routing.
Industrial Switches
Cisco Catalyst IE3400, IE3300, IE3200, and IE3100 Rugged Series extend IOS XE capabilities to harsh industrial and IoT environments.
Industrial Routers & APs
Cisco Catalyst IW9165, IW9167, IR1100, IR1800, IR8100, and IR8300 Series bring rugged connectivity to field, factory, and outdoor deployments.
Campus Fabric Solutions
One device. One OS. Your choice of management.
Software-Defined Access (SD-Access) delivers dynamic segmentation, automated policy enforcement, and seamless device onboarding for the most demanding campus networks with deep customization and granular controls.
Cloud-Managed Fabric orchestrates VXLAN EVPN fabrics through a unified cloud dashboard with centralized management, macro/microsegmentation, and zero-trust architecture integrated with Cisco ISE.
Programmable Fabric offers the deepest level of customization for globally distributed, high-demand environments using CLI, APIs, and infrastructure-as-code tooling.
IOS XE Programmability Guide (PDF)
Integrated across the Cisco portfolio
IOS XE is the foundation for Cisco’s enterprise networking portfolio, integrating with management platforms, security tools, and observability solutions to deliver a unified operational experience across campus, branch, and industrial environments.
Integrations
Cisco Catalyst Center
On-premises management for SD-Access fabric, assurance, and automation with policy-based segmentation and AI-driven analytics across the campus network.
Meraki Dashboard
Cloud-managed operations for IOS XE switches with BGP, VRF, ISSU, and VRRP support, combining enterprise capabilities with intuitive cloud management.
Cisco ThousandEyes
End-to-end network observability and AI-powered digital experience assurance integrated with IOS XE infrastructure for proactive issue detection and resolution.
Cisco ISE & Access Manager
Identity-based network access control with adaptive policies, Security Group Tags, and zero-trust enforcement across wired, wireless, and VPN connections.
Modernize your network with Cisco IOS XE
Build a resilient, secure, and automated campus network with the operating system trusted by organizations worldwide. Our Cisco specialists can help you design the right solution.
- Programmable APIs and model-driven automation
- Campus fabric with SD-Access or cloud-managed options
- Built-in zero-trust security and encrypted traffic analytics
- Response from a certified Cisco specialist within one business day
Frequently Asked Questions
Cisco IOS XE is a modern, Linux-based network operating system that powers Cisco Catalyst switches, wireless controllers, access points, and routers. It provides programmability through NETCONF, RESTCONF, and YANG models, along with built-in security, automation, and cloud management capabilities.
IOS XE runs on Cisco Catalyst 9200, 9300, 9400, 9500, 9600, and 9610 Series switches; Catalyst 9800 Series wireless controllers; Catalyst 9100 access points; Catalyst 8000 Edge Platforms; ISR 1000 and 4000 Series routers; ASR 1000 and 900 Series aggregation routers; and Catalyst industrial Ethernet switches and routers.
Campus fabric architecture unifies multiple components of management and security into a single logical entity. It replaces manual, device-by-device configuration with centralized, automated operations. Cisco offers three fabric options: SD-Access for advanced on-premises control, Cloud-Managed Fabric through the Meraki dashboard, and Programmable Fabric for deep customization.
Yes. IOS XE-based switches can be migrated to the Meraki dashboard for cloud management. The Meraki dashboard supports enterprise features including BGP, VRF, ISSU, and VRRP, and can orchestrate VXLAN EVPN fabrics through a unified cloud platform with macro/microsegmentation and zero-trust architecture.