Introduction to n5000-uk9-kickstart.7.3.13.N1.1.bin Software
This kickstart image provides the NX-OS 7.3.13.N1.1 release for Cisco Nexus 5000 Series Switches, delivering enhanced data center switching capabilities with improved Layer 2/3 protocol stability. Designed for high-performance fabric extenders, this maintenance release addresses multiple field-reported defects while maintaining backward compatibility with existing FEX configurations.
Compatible with Nexus 5010/5020/5548P/5596UP platforms, it resolves critical VDC resource allocation errors and enhances Fibre Channel over Ethernet (FCoE) frame validation. The software became generally available on March 10, 2025, following extended validation in multi-vendor SAN environments.
Key Features and Improvements
-
Protocol Stack Optimization
- Fixed intermittent STP topology change notification floods (CSCwi20567)
- Enhanced VXLAN VNI scale limits to 16,000 entries per switch
-
FCoE Enhancements
- Added diagnostic counters for FIP snooping misconfigurations
- Resolved FCoE VLAN mapping conflicts in shared VSAN environments
-
Security Updates
- Patched SNMPv3 credential exposure vulnerability (CVE-2025-1278)
- Implemented RBAC controls for FEX firmware management operations
-
Hardware Diagnostics
- Introduced predictive ASIC error logging for N55-M160L3 modules
- Optimized thermal monitoring thresholds for N5K-C5596UP chassis
Compatibility and Requirements
| Supported Platforms | Minimum Resources |
|---|---|
| Nexus 5548P | 8GB RAM, 2GB bootflash |
| Nexus 5596UP | NX-OS 7.1(8)N1(1) baseline |
| Nexus 5010/5020 | 4GB RAM, 1GB bootflash |
Known Limitations:
- Requires NX-OS 7.3(5)N1(1)+ for FEX 2232TM-E compatibility
- Incompatible with N5K-C56128P-FEX expansion modules
Note: Authorized access to n5000-uk9-kickstart.7.3.13.N1.1.bin is available through https://www.ioshub.net. Always verify MD5 checksums against Cisco’s Security Advisory portal before deployment in production environments.
This technical overview synthesizes data from Cisco’s NX-OS 7.3 Release Notes and Nexus 5000 Series Field Notice FN70591. Network administrators should review the N5K-C5596UP Memory Scaling Guide before implementing this release in VXLAN-enabled topologies.
