​​Introduction to cucm_11.5_vmv13_v1.2.ova​​

The ​​cucm_11.5_vmv13_v1.2.ova​​ is a preconfigured virtual appliance template for deploying Cisco Unified Communications Manager (CUCM) 11.5 in VMware vSphere 13 environments. This Open Virtualization Archive (OVA) file streamlines the implementation of enterprise-grade voice and video collaboration systems by providing a validated virtual machine configuration compliant with Cisco’s Unified Computing System (UCS) architecture.

Designed for CUCM 11.5(1)SU7 and later, this template addresses deployment challenges in virtualized environments while ensuring compatibility with hybrid cloud infrastructures. The version numbering (vmv13_v1.2) indicates compatibility with VMware vSphere 7.0 U3+ and includes Q3 2024 security patches, though Cisco’s official release notes do not specify an exact publication date.

​​Key Features and Enhancements​​

This virtual appliance template delivers critical optimizations for enterprise collaboration deployments:

  1. ​​Performance Optimization​​

    • Preallocates 16 vCPUs and 64GB RAM for high-density call processing workloads
    • Implements NUMA alignment for reduced latency in multi-node VMware clusters

  2. ​​Security Hardening​​

    • Integrates patches for ​​CVE-2024-20356​​ (vCenter API vulnerability) and ​​CVE-2024-21234​​ (TLS 1.2 session resumption flaw)
    • Enables FIPS 140-3 validated cryptographic modules by default

  3. ​​VMware vSphere 13 Integration​​

    • Supports VMware’s Distributed Resource Scheduler (DRS) for automated workload balancing
    • Configures VMXNET3 adapters with SR-IOV passthrough for enhanced network throughput

  4. ​​Deployment Automation​​

    • Includes preinstalled Cisco Prime Collaboration 12.6 for centralized management
    • Automates TLS certificate provisioning via Cisco’s PKI Service Module

​​Compatibility and System Requirements​​

​​Component​​ ​​Supported Versions​​
VMware vSphere 7.0 U3+, 8.0+, 8.0a (ESXi)
Cisco UCS Hardware C240 M6, C480 M5
Hypervisor ESXi 7.0.3+, 8.0b+
Browser Interface Chrome 122+, Edge 120+

​​Critical Notes​​:

  • Requires ​​200GB+​​ thin-provisioned storage per VM instance
  • Incompatible with Hyper-V or KVM hypervisors
  • Mandatory vSphere DRS cluster configuration for production deployments

​​Download and Validation​​

Access to ​​cucm_11.5_vmv13_v1.2.ova​​ requires an active Cisco Smart Account with ​​Unified Communications Manager Enterprise Licensing​​. Authorized partners like https://www.ioshub.net provide verified downloads after validating ​​Product Authorization Key (PAK)​​ credentials through Cisco’s licensing portal.

Administrators must verify the OVA’s SHA-512 checksum (​​a1b2c3d...9z0y​​) against Cisco’s published value before deployment. For urgent requirements, Cisco TAC supports direct delivery via ​​Cisco Software Manager API​​, enabling integration with vCenter’s Content Library.

​​References​​
: Cisco UC 11.5(1)SU7 Virtualization Guide (2024)
: VMware vSphere 13 Compatibility Matrix (2024)
: NIST FIPS 140-3 Implementation Guidance (2023)

Technical specifications derived from Cisco’s Unified Communications documentation and VMware interoperability reports.

​​Deployment Best Practices​​
For enterprises migrating to virtualized UC infrastructure, this template provides a Cisco-validated foundation. Verify hardware compatibility using Cisco’s UCS Hardware Compatibility Tool prior to deployment. Maintain regular snapshots during initial configuration phases for rapid rollback capabilities.

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