Which file extension indicates a bootable installation file in Cisco IOS XR software?

Software packages that you can install from ROMMON:

– the Package Installation Envelope (PIE) file format and can be installed while Cisco IOS XR is running
– the other copy is in a vm file that can be installed from ROM Monitor; the files that you can install from ROM Monitor have a vm filename extension.

The tar files contain both PIE files and vm files. When you download a tar file, you must unpack the tar file with a software program before you can install any of the files in the package.

If the router is operating properly, you can install the software using the appropriate PIE file with little or no interruption to router traffic. If the router is not booted with the Cisco IOS XR software, install the core software using the vm file first, and then install any additional packages using the PIE files after the router enters EXEC mode.