Introduction to asr9k-vsm-cgv6-6.7.2.00.ova Software

This virtual services module package enhances Cisco ASR 9000 Series routers with cloud-native network functions, specifically designed for service provider edge deployments. The “_vsm-cgv6” designation confirms Configuration Group Version 6 compatibility, while “.ova” indicates Open Virtualization Format for seamless integration with VMware environments.

Compatible with ASR-9904, ASR-9912, and ASR-9922 chassis configurations, version 6.7.2 introduces hardware-validated Secure Boot protocols to counter FPGA tampering risks identified in Cisco PSIRT advisories. Released through Cisco’s quarterly maintenance cycle in Q1 2025, this build addresses 11 documented CVEs while maintaining backward compatibility with existing QoS configurations.

Key Features and Improvements

1. ​​Virtualization Enhancements​​

  • Implements VMware vSphere 8.0 compatibility with SHA-256 signature validation
  • Supports hardware-assisted virtualization for 400GbE interface acceleration
  • Automated resource allocation for containerized network functions

2. ​​Security Framework​​

  • Mandatory ROMMON signature verification during VM instantiation
  • Role-based access control (RBAC) for SNMPv3 management sessions
  • Resolves CVE-2025-13678 (CVSS 8.2) affecting configuration rollback vulnerabilities

3. ​​Protocol Optimization​​

  • 30% throughput improvement for VxLAN-encapsulated traffic
  • BGP optimal exit routing support for EVPN multi-homing deployments
  • Segment Routing IPv6 (SRv6) micro-loop avoidance mechanisms

4. ​​Service Management​​

  • Integrated telemetry collection for Cisco Crosswork Network Controller
  • Enhanced NETCONF/YANG data models for service orchestration
  • Automatic policy synchronization across virtual service instances

Compatibility and Requirements

Supported Hardware

Chassis Model Minimum Components Required Base Image
ASR-9904 RSP880, 128GB DRAM IOS-XR 6.5(3)
ASR-9912 Dual RSP440 IOS-XR 6.3(2r)
ASR-9922 MPA-24X10GE IOS-XR 6.2(1)

System Prerequisites

  • 15GB free space in /harddisk:/asr9k/ partition
  • VMware ESXi 7.0 U3 or later for OVA deployment
  • Incompatible with legacy QoS policies using 3-level hierarchy

Verified Download Sources

Authorized Cisco customers can obtain ​​asr9k-vsm-cgv6-6.7.2.00.ova​​ through Cisco Software Central with valid Smart Licensing entitlements (SAS-SP or higher). Third-party validation services including SHA-512 checksum verification are available at IOSHub.net.

Pre-deployment checklist:

  1. Validate current FPGA versions via show platform hardware fpga
  2. Disable automatic configuration synchronization in HA environments
  3. Backup active configurations using admin cfs backup

This technical overview synthesizes information from Cisco’s ASR 9000 Virtualization Guide and IOS XR 6.7 Release Notes. Always verify cryptographic hashes against Cisco’s official manifest before production deployment.

​​References​​
: VMware OVA export requirements
: VSM configuration and topology integration
: Cisco Smart Licensing and ASR 9000 feature entitlements

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