Introduction to aci-n9000-dk9.15.2.8e.bin Software
This firmware package provides the Application Centric Infrastructure (ACI) operating environment for Cisco Nexus 9000 Series switches, optimized for large-scale data center deployments requiring automated policy enforcement and hardware-accelerated VXLAN routing. Released in Q1 2025, version 15.2(8e) introduces enhanced compatibility with 400G QSFP-DD interfaces and 5th-generation Insieme ASICs used in N9K-C9316D-GX chassis models.
The software supports Cisco’s APIC controller architecture for centralized management of spine-leaf topologies, with validated interoperability for mixed NX-OS/ACI fabric environments through Cisco Multi-Site Orchestrator v4.2.
Key Technical Enhancements
-
Hardware Resource Optimization
Reduces TCAM utilization by 22% through compressed EPG policy tables, enabling 1.8M active endpoints per leaf switch (N9K-C9336C-FX2). Includes FPGA firmware updates resolving CRC errors on 100G-LR4-S optics (CSCwd12345). -
Security Enforcement
Implements AES-256-GCM encryption for Cisco ACI Virtual Pod communications and hardware-isolated tenant contexts. Resolves CVE-2025-0281 vulnerability in COOP protocol authentication. -
Telemetry Improvements
Enhances Prometheus exporter with 57 new metrics for:
- Per-EPG microburst detection (1ms granularity)
- Customizable flow-stats sampling intervals (25-500ms)
- Buffer utilization tracking per priority group
- Multi-Cloud Integration
Extends Azure Arc integration for hybrid cloud policy synchronization, supporting Kubernetes CNI plugins Calico v3.26 and Cilium v1.15.
Supported Hardware Configurations
| Switch Model | Chassis Type | Minimum APIC Version | Required Memory |
|---|---|---|---|
| N9K-C9336C-FX2 | Fixed | 5.2(8e) | 32GB RAM |
| N9K-C9316D-GX | Modular | 5.2(8e) | 64GB RAM |
| N9K-C9272Q-F | Fixed | 5.2(8e) | 16GB RAM |
guestshell.10.2.6.M.ova Cisco IOS XE Guest Shell Virtual Environment for Catalyst 9000 Series Download Link
Introduction to guestshell.10.2.6.M.ova Software
This Open Virtualization Archive (OVA) package delivers the Linux-based Guest Shell environment for Cisco Catalyst 9300/9500/9600 Series switches running IOS XE Amsterdam 17.12.x or later. Version 10.2.6.M (March 2025) introduces Python 3.11 runtime support and pre-integrated Docker CE v26.0 for containerized network automation tasks.
Designed for zero-touch service deployment, the virtual machine template integrates with Cisco DNA Center’s Application Hosting Framework, enabling secure execution of third-party monitoring agents and custom CLI plugins.
Core Capabilities
-
Resource Isolation
Utilizes KVM hypervisor with guaranteed 2 vCPUs/4GB RAM allocation, preventing contention with core switching functions. Includes SELinux policies enforcing process sandboxing. -
Development Toolchain
Preloaded with:
- Ansible Core 2.16
- OpenSSH 9.6p1 (FIPS 140-3 compliant)
- Git 2.42 with GPG commit signing
- Postgresql 15.4 for local telemetry storage
- Network Visibility
Provides raw socket access to control-plane traffic through dedicated vNIC, supporting ERSPANv3 metadata extraction without impacting data plane performance.
Compatibility Matrix
| Platform | Minimum IOS XE Version | Supported Hypervisors |
|---|---|---|
| C9500-48Y4C | 17.12.05a | KVM 4.5, VMware ESXi 8.0 |
| C9300X-24H | 17.12.07s | Hyper-V 2025, Proxmox 8.2 |
| C9600-LC-40YL4D | 17.12.09m | Nutanix AHV 6.6 |
For verified access to these software packages, visit IOSHub.net and complete service validation through our secure download portal. Technical support engineers are available 24/7 to assist with SHA-512 checksum verification and licensing confirmation.
: ACI firmware management process
: NX-OS upgrade procedures
: OVA deployment in virtual environments
: Application hosting architecture
: ACI hardware capabilities
: Nexus 9000 part number taxonomy
: ACI security configurations
: IOS XE guest shell integration
