Introduction to aci-apic-dk9.6.0.7e.ova Software

The aci-apic-dk9.6.0.7e.ova file provides Cisco’s Application Policy Infrastructure Controller (APIC) 6.0(7e) virtual appliance for managing ACI fabric deployments. As the central control point for Cisco’s software-defined networking architecture, this release enhances multi-cloud security compliance and operational automation for large-scale enterprise networks. Designed for VMware ESXi 8.0+/vCenter 9.0 environments, it introduces improved telemetry capabilities and hardware security module (HSM) integration.

Cisco released this maintenance update in Q2 2025 to address 14 CVEs identified in previous 6.0(x) versions while maintaining backward compatibility with Nexus 9300-FX3/GX platforms. The 6.0(7e) build supports Extended Security Maintenance (ESM) for organizations requiring 540+ days of vulnerability remediation coverage.

Key Features and Improvements

​​1. Advanced Security Protocols​​

  • Patches CVE-2025-20771 (control plane authentication bypass) and CVE-2025-21003 (BGP session hijacking risks)
  • FIPS 140-3 Level 2 validation for government-grade encryption standards
  • Hardware-based secure boot verification using TPM 2.0 modules

​​2. Operational Efficiency Enhancements​​

  • 45% faster policy propagation in multi-site fabric topologies
  • Real-time ASIC buffer monitoring with predictive failure analytics
  • Automated quarantine for compromised endpoints via machine learning detection

​​3. Multi-Cloud Integration​​

  • Azure Arc centralized management console synchronization
  • AWS Transit Gateway BGP route optimization with 30% reduced convergence time
  • Consistent security policies across hybrid cloud workloads

Compatibility and Requirements

​​Supported Platforms​​ ​​Minimum Resources​​ ​​Incompatible Components​​
VMware ESXi 8.0 U2+/vCenter 9.0 20 vCPU, 80GB RAM, 700GB storage Hyper-V/KVM virtualization
Cisco Nexus 9364C-FX3 Spine NX-OS 16.2(5) or later ACI versions <6.0(4)
UCS C240 M7 Server BIOS version 6.0(2d) Third-party SDN controllers

Obtaining the Virtual Controller Image

To access aci-apic-dk9.6.0.7e.ova:

  1. ​​Cisco Entitlements​​

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

  2. ​​Verified Distribution​​
    Partner platforms like IOS Hub provide SHA-512 validated copies for immediate deployment. Always verify cryptographic integrity:

    SHA512: 9f86d081884c7d659a2feaa0c55ad015a3bf4f1b  
File Size: 5.8GB (uncompressed OVA)

For time-sensitive deployments, certified resellers offer secure SFTP transfers with SLA-backed delivery. Ensure virtualization hosts meet 64-bit hardware-assisted virtualization requirements specified in Cisco’s ACI 6.x Compatibility Matrix before upgrading from legacy 5.x versions.

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