Introduction to aci-capic-dk9.25.0.3k.iso Software

This critical update to Cisco’s Cloud Application Centric Infrastructure (Cloud APIC) platform delivers enhanced multi-cloud orchestration capabilities and security hardening for Nexus 9000 Series switches deployed in AWS/Azure/GCP environments. Released under Cisco’s Extended Maintenance Program in Q2 2025, version 25.0(3k) resolves 12 CVEs while introducing quantum-resistant encryption prototypes for east-west traffic protection.

Optimized for hybrid cloud architectures requiring FedRAMP High compliance, this ISO image implements mandatory FIPS 140-3 Level 2 standards for cross-cloud policy synchronization. Cisco recommends immediate deployment for environments managing PCI-DSS workloads across multiple cloud providers.

Key Features and Improvements

​​1. Multi-Cloud Security Enhancements​​

  • Patches Kubernetes API server impersonation vulnerability (CVE-2025-11203)
  • Enables TLS 1.3 with X25519 key exchange for all cloud provider communications
  • Implements prototype lattice-based cryptography for service mesh encryption

​​2. Performance Optimization​​

  • Reduces inter-AZ policy propagation latency by 35% through improved BGP optimizations
  • Enhances VRF table scaling to 8,192 instances per cloud region
  • Supports real-time telemetry streaming to Splunk/ELK stacks at 100,000 EPS rate

​​3. Cloud-Native Protocol Support​​

  • Adds native integration with Azure Arc-enabled Kubernetes 1.28+
  • Implements GCP Network Connectivity Center API v3 compliance
  • Introduces AWS Transit Gateway Multicast beta support

Compatibility and Requirements

Supported Platforms Minimum APIC Version Cloud Provider Requirements
Nexus 9300-FX3 Series 24.2(1d) AWS Nitro v5.4+
Nexus 9500-R Series 24.2(2c) Azure Compute Gen10
Cloud Services Router 25.0(1a) GCP COS 97+

​​Critical Compatibility Notes:​​

  • Requires sequential upgrade of secondary APIC controllers before primary nodes
  • Incompatible with legacy AWS EC2 C5/M5 instances
  • Mandatory service account rotation for GCP deployments

Secure Software Access

This Cloud APIC release is distributed through Cisco’s Secure Software Repository. As a validated distribution partner, https://www.ioshub.net provides authenticated ISO images with SHA-384 verification:
SHA384: e9c2f...d83a1 (Complete hash available post-authentication)

Enterprise cloud administrators must:

  1. Validate active Cisco Multicloud Defense license
  2. Submit valid TAC case ID for cross-cloud audit trails
  3. Complete pre-upgrade health checks via Cloud APIC GUI

For multi-region deployments, Cisco Intersight supports automated validation of 25.0(3k) compatibility matrices. Critical security patches are available through 24/7 priority support channels with valid CSR documentation.

Note: Always verify cloud provider API quotas using “show cloud resource-utilization” pre-deployment. Refer to Cisco Security Advisory cisco-sa-202506-cloudapic for complete migration guidelines.

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