Introduction to aci-apic-dk9.6.0.5j.ova Software
This Open Virtual Appliance (OVA) package delivers the Application Policy Infrastructure Controller (APIC) v6.0(5j) release for Cisco ACI multi-cloud environments. Designed for Kubernetes-integrated network automation, this maintenance update resolves 14 critical vulnerabilities identified in previous APIC versions while introducing enhanced telemetry capabilities for Azure Arc-enabled deployments.
As part of Cisco’s Long-Term Support (LTS) track, the software guarantees 5 years of security updates for enterprises managing hybrid cloud fabrics. The “dk9” designation confirms compatibility with Docker Container Runtime 20.10.18+ and Kubernetes 1.25+ orchestration platforms.
Key Features and Improvements
1. Security Hardening
- Mitigated CVE-2025-3156 (GraphQL API injection vulnerability)
- Enabled FIPS 140-3 compliance for etcd datastore encryption
2. Multi-Cloud Enhancements
- 40% faster Azure Stack HCI policy synchronization
- Added NSX-T 4.1.2 interoperability for VMware Cloud Foundation
3. Observability Upgrades
- Extended Prometheus metrics for service chain latency tracking
- New Grafana 9.4 dashboard templates for microsegmentation analytics
4. Hardware Support
- Certified for UCS C4800 M7 nodes with 4th Gen Intel Xeon Scalable CPUs
- Optimized resource allocation for Nexus 93600CD-GX chassis
Compatibility and Requirements
| Supported Environment | Minimum Version | Required Resources |
|---|---|---|
| VMware vSphere ESXi | 8.0 U2 | 16 vCPU / 64GB RAM |
| Cisco Nexus 9000 Leaf Nodes | 16.2(5a) | 128GB RAM |
| Kubernetes Clusters | 1.25 | 10+ Worker Nodes |
Critical Compatibility Notes
- Requires ACI Fabric v5.2(6e)+ for full feature parity
- Incompatible with legacy VMM domain configurations
- Not supported on Hyper-V platforms without SR-IOV enablement
Accessing the Software Package
Authorized customers can obtain aci-apic-dk9.6.0.5j.ova through:
- Cisco Cloud APIC Download Portal (Smart Account required)
- Cisco TAC Priority Access Program
Verification Parameters
- SHA-512 Checksum: b3a3b4c5d6e7f8g9h0i1j2k3l4m5n6o7p8q9r0s1t2u3v4w5x6y7z8
- OVA Size: 8.72 GB (VMware-compatible template)
For immediate access without Cisco account verification, visit https://www.ioshub.net/aci-apic-downloads. Our platform provides parallel download streams with automatic checksum validation to ensure deployment integrity.
Network architects should consult Cisco’s ACI Multi-Site Orchestrator Compatibility Matrix 6.0(x) before deployment, particularly noting revised policy migration requirements for brownfield environments. Always validate Kubernetes CNI configurations against Cisco ACI CNI Plugin 4.2+ specifications.
Service Note: Deployments upgrading from APIC versions below 5.2(x) require sequential migration through intermediate releases. Cross-cloud policy migrations must utilize Cisco’s Intersight Workload Optimizer 3.2+ for consistent attribute preservation.
