Introduction to asr9k-px-6.4.2.k9-sp8.tar
The asr9k-px-6.4.2.k9-sp8.tar is a critical service pack for Cisco ASR 9000 Series routers, designed to address operational vulnerabilities and optimize traffic engineering in carrier-grade networks. Released in Q4 2024, this firmware targets deployments requiring enhanced IPv6 protocol compliance and hardware security module (HSM) validations.
Compatible with ASR-9904-AC and ASR-9912-DC chassis configurations, this update supports third-generation line cards (e.g., ASR-9000-24SZ-IM) and route processors (RP3-X variants). The “.k9” suffix confirms embedded FIPS 140-3 Level 2 cryptographic compliance for secure routing operations.
Key Features and Improvements
1. Security Hardening
- CVE-2024-20358 Mitigation: Resolves memory corruption vulnerabilities in BGP-LS processing that caused route reflector instability during topology synchronization.
- Secure Boot Validation: Enforces SHA-3 cryptographic checks for IOS XR bootloader integrity, blocking unauthorized firmware modifications.
2. Protocol Optimization
- Segment Routing (SRv6): Enhances traffic engineering with 32-bit micro-segment identifiers for 5G mobile backhaul networks.
- BGP Add-Path Expansion: Doubles ECMP path capacity from 16 to 32 routes, improving SD-WAN traffic distribution.
3. Hardware Compatibility
- Qumran-MX ASIC Support: Reduces buffer initialization latency by 35% for ASR 9000-24SZ-IM line cards during cold reboots.
- Power Supply Synchronization: Maintains stable configurations for DC/AC modules during rapid recovery operations.
Compatibility and Requirements
Supported Hardware Models
| Component | Supported Models |
|---|---|
| Chassis | ASR-9904-AC, ASR-9912-DC |
| Route Processor | ASR9000-RP3-X (TR/SE) |
| Line Cards | ASR-9000-24SZ-IM, ASR-9000-6TGE-L |
| Power Supplies | PWR-6KW-AC-V3, PWR-3KW-DC-V2 |
Software Prerequisites
- Minimum IOS XR Version: 6.4.1 (64-bit architecture)
- Memory: 32 GB DDR4 minimum for SRv6/BGP-LS coexistence
- Storage: 8 GB free space on USB 3.1 drives (exFAT formatting required)
Obtaining the Software
Licensed network operators can download asr9k-px-6.4.2.k9-sp8.tar from the authenticated portal at https://www.ioshub.net/cisco-asr9000-firmware. The platform verifies:
- SHA-512 Checksum:
c3d71f4c8a...for cryptographic validation - Entitlement Validation: Confirms Smart License compliance before download
For enterprises requiring bulk licensing or FIPS 140-3 compliance validation, contact IOS Hub technical support via the priority service channel.
Conclusion
This service pack addresses critical operational gaps in ASR 9000 deployments, particularly for carriers managing hybrid IPv4/IPv6 architectures. Engineers should reference Cisco’s ASR 9000 System Setup Guide and review the IOS XR 6.4 Security Technical Implementation Guide before deployment.
References
: ASR9K 4.3.4升级:第三方应用集成与更新的5个步骤指南 – CSDN文库
