IOS XE retains the exact same look and feel of IOS, while providing enhanced future-proofing and improved functionality. In IOS XE, IOS 15.0 runs as a single daemon within a modern Linux operating system. Additional system functions now run as additional, separate processes in the host OS environment. The operation, support and management of IOS XE does not require re-training from classic IOS.

When running the Cisco ASR 1000 Series Routers using individual and optional subpackages, the router must be configured to boot using the provisioning file that was included in the consolidated package with the individual subpackage files. This provisioning file must also be in the same directory as the individual and optional subpackage files. The router boots faster when configured to run using individual and optional subpackages than it does when configured to run using a consolidated package.

The naming convention for IOX XE includes the IOSd version number.