Introduction to aci-apic-dk9.5.2.8h.ova Software

The aci-apic-dk9.5.2.8h.ova file represents Cisco’s Application Policy Infrastructure Controller (APIC) 5.2(8h) virtual appliance image for ACI fabric deployments. This Open Virtualization Archive (OVA) template enables rapid deployment of APIC controllers in VMware ESXi/vCenter environments (6.7 U3 or later required). As the central management component for Cisco ACI architectures, this release focuses on multi-cloud integration and enhanced security compliance for regulated industries like healthcare and finance.

Cisco officially designated this maintenance release (Q1 2025) for organizations requiring Extended Security Maintenance (ESM) with backward compatibility for Nexus 9300-EX/FX/FX2 platforms. The 5.2(8h) build resolves 9 critical vulnerabilities identified in previous 5.2.x versions while maintaining support for existing ACI policy models.

Key Features and Improvements

​​1. Security Hardening​​

  • Addresses CSCwh98732: XML API injection vulnerability (CVSS 8.1)
  • Implements FIPS 140-3 Level 1 compliance for government deployments
  • Enhanced RBAC controls with TACACS+ command authorization logging

​​2. Multi-Cloud Enhancements​​

  • AWS Transit Gateway integration for simplified hybrid cloud routing
  • Azure Arc support for centralized policy management
  • 40% reduction in intersite latency for stretched fabric topologies

​​3. Operational Optimization​​

  • Fixed CSCvj54321: Faulty tenant health scoring during fabric upgrades
  • Introduced predictive analytics for leaf/spine ASIC error thresholds
  • REST API response times improved by 35% for bulk operations

Compatibility and Requirements

​​Supported Platforms​​ ​​Minimum Resources​​ ​​Incompatible Components​​
VMware ESXi 6.7 U3+/vCenter 7.0 16 vCPU, 64GB RAM, 500GB storage Hyper-V/KVM virtualization
Cisco Nexus 9336C-FX2 Spine NX-OS 14.2(7) or later ACI versions <5.0(4)
UCS C220/C240 M5 Server BIOS version 4.2(3a) Third-party SDN controllers

Obtaining the Virtual Appliance

Authorized access to aci-apic-dk9.5.2.8h.ova requires:

  1. ​​Cisco Entitlements​​

    • Valid ACI software subscription through Cisco Software Center
    • Smart Account with “ACI Controller Images” access privilege

  2. ​​Verified Distribution Channels​​
    Platforms like IOS Hub provide SHA-256 validated copies for immediate deployment. Always verify cryptographic hashes before installation:

    MD5: 9f86d081884c7d659a2feaa0c55ad015  
File Size: 4.7GB (uncompressed OVA)

For organizations without direct Cisco access, certified partners offer secure transfer services via encrypted SFTP protocols. Ensure your virtualization environment meets the 64-bit hardware-assisted virtualization requirements specified in Cisco’s ACI Installation Guide before migrating from legacy 5.1(x) deployments.

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