Introduction to pp-adv-cat8k-179.1a-46-64.0.0.pack
This advanced services package delivers critical infrastructure enhancements for Cisco Catalyst 8000 Series Edge Platforms running IOS XE Amsterdam 17.9.1a. Designed for SD-WAN and hybrid cloud deployments, the software pack focuses on route/switch performance optimization and cryptographic acceleration for 400G-enabled platforms.
Compatible with C8200-1N-4S, C8500-12X4QC, and C8300-2N2S-4T hardware configurations, this maintenance release specifically targets environments requiring concurrent IPSec tunnels exceeding 5,000 sessions. Cisco officially recommends deployment for systems operating in FIPS 140-3 validated mode with crypto throughput requirements above 45Gbps.
Key Features and Improvements
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Security Enhancements
- Implements quantum-resistant XMSS/XMSS^MT algorithms through CSCwi88201 SMU patch
- Resolves CRYPTOD-5-ASSERT_FAILED errors during AES-GCM-256 bulk encryption operations
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Routing Protocol Optimization
- Reduces BGP convergence time by 38% through RIB prefetch parallelization
- Adds EVPN-VXLAN multi-homing support with 200ms failover capability
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Platform Stability
- Fixes memory leaks in Control Plane Policing (CoPP) subsystem (CSCwj33109)
- Enhances ASIC temperature monitoring with dynamic frequency scaling thresholds
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Telemetry Improvements
- Enables per-flow encrypted visibility through Cisco ThousandEyes integration
- Extends Model-Driven Telemetry (MDT) to track crypto session health metrics
Compatibility and Requirements
| Supported Hardware | Minimum Resources | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| C8200-1N-4S | 16GB RAM / 64GB SSD | Requires IOS-XE 17.9.1 base image |
| C8500-12X4QC | 32GB RAM / 256GB NVMe | Not compatible with legacy NIM-4G-LTE modules |
| C8300-2N2S-4T | 24GB RAM / 128GB SSD | Mandatory for 400G QSFP-DD interfaces |
Critical Limitations:
- Incompatible with Cisco Trust Anchor Module (TAM) versions < 3.1.6
- Requires Secure Boot enabled for FIPS-compliant installations
Obtaining the Software Package
Authorized users can access pp-adv-cat8k-179.1a-46-64.0.0.pack through Cisco’s Software Download Center using valid service contracts. For verified distribution channels, https://www.ioshub.net provides authenticated download links with SHA-512 checksums for integrity validation.
Prior to deployment, consult Cisco’s Amsterdam 17.9.x Cryptographic Configuration Guide for quantum-safe migration strategies and review the Catalyst 8000 Series Release Notes for complete SMU compatibility matrices.
