Releases introducing cutting-edge technology take place every two months.
For businesses that require major functionality at less frequent intervals, Cisco packages a more broadly deployed major release. Early Deployment Releases ED releases provide advanced networking technologies to customers, for delivery of leading-edge Internet applications. ED releases offer new software capabilities, new platforms, and interface extensions. Customers for whom receiving a new feature is critical to their competitive advantage will benefit from ED releases. Cisco IOS Software Release Life Cycle ED releases are designed to deliver specific capabilities and features, and are to be deployed selectively, where needed.