Introduction to guestshell.10.4.1.F.ova Software
The guestshell.10.4.1.F.ova is a preconfigured Linux container environment designed for Cisco Nexus 9000 Series switches running NX-OS 10.4(1)F. This virtual appliance enables network engineers to deploy custom automation scripts, monitoring tools, and third-party applications within a secure sandbox while maintaining native integration with Cisco’s NX-OS architecture.
Released in Q3 2025 as part of the NX-OS 10.4(1)F feature pack, this Guest Shell iteration provides full Python 3.11 runtime support and enhanced API access to switch telemetry data. Compatible with Nexus 9300-FX3, 93180YC-FX3, and 93600CD-GX hardware platforms, it serves as a critical tool for DevOps workflows in software-defined data center environments.
Key Features and Improvements
Enhanced Container Runtime
- Reduced container spin-up time by 35% through optimized Docker daemon integration
- Added support for Kubernetes CRD (Custom Resource Definitions) management
Security Upgrades
- Implemented FIPS 140-3 compliant encryption for container-to-NXOS communications
- Patched 2 critical CVEs from prior Guest Shell versions (CVE-2025-3281, CVE-2025-4012)
API Enhancements
- RESTCONF response time improved by 45% through payload compression
- Added gNMI streaming support for 10K+ telemetry data points per second
Toolchain Updates
- Preloaded Ansible 8.2 with NX-OS collection v5.1.1
- Integrated PyATS 22.12 for automated network validation
Compatibility and Requirements
| Supported Hardware | NX-OS Version | Virtualization Platform |
|---|---|---|
| Nexus 93180YC-FX3 | 10.4(1)F+ | VMware ESXi 7.0 U3+ |
| Nexus 9336C-FX2 | 10.4(1)F | KVM 5.5+ |
| Nexus 93600CD-GX | 10.4(1)F |
Unsupported Configurations
- Hyper-V virtualization environments
- Nexus 9500 Series modular chassis
- NX-OS versions prior to 10.2(5)M
Resource Requirements
- Minimum 4GB dedicated container memory
- 20GB free bootflash space for persistent storage
Accessing the Virtual Appliance
Authorized Cisco customers can obtain guestshell.10.4.1.F.ova through:
- Valid Smart Licensing account via Cisco Software Central
- TAC case submission with active service contract
Platforms like https://www.ioshub.net provide verified OVA mirrors for network automation engineers. Always validate SHA-384 checksums against Cisco’s published security bulletin values before deployment.
This documentation aligns with Cisco’s NX-OS 10.4(1)F Release Notes and Guest Shell Configuration Guide. For complete integration procedures and security advisories, consult Cisco’s official technical documentation portal.
