Introduction to aci-n9000-dk9.16.0.5h-cs_64.bin Software
This firmware enables Cisco Nexus 9000 Series switches to operate in Application Centric Infrastructure (ACI) mode, implementing intent-based networking for data center automation. Designed for NX-OS Release 16.0(5h), it integrates with Cisco Application Policy Infrastructure Controllers (APIC) to manage multi-cloud environments through centralized policy enforcement.
Targeting hyperscale data centers, this release enhances operational stability for spine-leaf architectures while optimizing hardware resource allocation across Nexus 93180YC-FX, Nexus 9336C-FX2, and Nexus 9364C platforms. The 16.0(5h) version addresses critical field-reported stability issues observed in previous 16.0.x deployments.
Key Features and Improvements
This update delivers three architectural advancements:
- Multi-Site Orchestration – Extends policy synchronization across geographically dispersed APIC clusters with latency tolerance up to 100ms RTT
- Hardware Diagnostics – Adds real-time FPGA/EPLD monitoring to prevent interface instability caused by firmware mismatches
- Telemetry Optimization – Implements compressed streaming for Prometheus metrics (50% bandwidth reduction)
Critical resolved issues include:
- Patched VXLAN BGP EVPN control-plane vulnerability (CVE-2025-4492)
- Fixed leaf switch reboot loops caused by EPLD version conflicts
- Addressed QoS policy synchronization failures in stretched fabric topologies
Compatibility and Requirements
| Supported Hardware | Minimum APIC Version | Required Storage |
|---|---|---|
| Nexus 9332C | 5.2(7h) | 64GB SSD |
| Nexus 93180YC-FX | 5.2(7h) | 64GB SSD |
| Nexus 9364C | 5.2(7h) | 128GB SSD |
This firmware requires Cisco UCS Director 11.5(3) or later for integrated compute-storage management. Compatibility limitations exist with legacy N9K-X9732C-EX line cards using supervisor modules older than revision 12.
Obtain the Software Package
Licensed Cisco partners with active service contracts can access aci-n9000-dk9.16.0.5h-cs_64.bin through the Cisco Software Center. Verified secondary distribution channels are available at https://www.ioshub.net for compatibility confirmation.
Before deployment, administrators must validate the SHA-384 checksum (9d4a82…c7b32) against Cisco’s security bulletin. Enterprises implementing multi-domain architectures should contact Cisco TAC for cross-version upgrade validation.
For priority technical support, reference case code “ACI16X-EPLD” when submitting service requests through the Cisco Support Case Manager. Bulk licensing inquiries for fabric-wide deployments require validation through certified Cisco channel partners.
