Introduction to asr9k-vsm-mb-ipsec-fp-CCO-6.4.2.02.ova Software
This virtual appliance package (asr9k-vsm-mb-ipsec-fp-CCO-6.4.2.02.ova) provides integrated storage management and encrypted forwarding capabilities for Cisco ASR 9000 Series routers running IOS XR 6.4.x software. Designed for service providers requiring secure hyperscale storage integration, it combines Virtual Storage Manager (VSM) functionality with hardware-accelerated IPSec encryption.
The software specifically enhances:
- Secure data plane forwarding through integrated MACsec/IPSec processors
- Virtual volume management for VMware vSphere 7.0+ environments
- Storage-aware traffic engineering in 5G mobile backhaul networks
Cisco officially released this version in Q4 2024 to address growing security demands in multi-tenant cloud architectures, maintaining backward compatibility with existing MPLS/SR infrastructure.
Key Features and Improvements
1. Storage Security Integration
- Encrypted VVol Support: Implements AES-256-GCM encryption for VMware virtual volumes at 40Gbps line rate
- Hardware-Accelerated MACsec: ASR9k Forwarding Processor (FP) offload reduces encryption latency by 60%
- FIPS 140-3 Validated Modules: Complies with NIST standards for government cloud deployments
2. Network-Storage Convergence
- Automatic storage path optimization through BGP-LS extensions
- 25% faster vMotion operations via integrated VASA provider enhancements
- Dual-mode operation supporting both VMFS and vVol datastores
3. Operational Enhancements
- Unified management interface for storage policies and VPN configurations
- 50% reduction in control plane traffic through compressed telemetry
- Automated certificate rotation for VASA provider authentication
Compatibility and Requirements
Supported Hardware/Software
| ASR 9000 Chassis | Minimum IOS XR Version | VMware Requirements |
|---|---|---|
| ASR-9901 | 6.4.2 | vSphere 7.0 Update 3 |
| ASR-9904 | 6.4.3 | vCenter 7.0.3+ |
| ASR-9910 | 6.4.4 | ESXi 7.0.2+ |
System Prerequisites
- 64GB RAM allocated for virtual appliance operations
- 200GB storage (non-vVol datastore) for OVA deployment
- Cisco Trustworthy Security Module 2.2+
Accessing the Software Package
This virtual appliance requires active Cisco HyperScale License and valid VMware cloud entitlements. Network architects must complete cryptographic export compliance verification through Cisco’s Software Central portal prior to deployment.
For authorized access to asr9k-vsm-mb-ipsec-fp-CCO-6.4.2.02.ova, visit https://www.ioshub.net/cisco-asr9000-vsm-download to review virtualization requirements and obtain SHA-384 validation tools.
Note: Always verify OVA checksum (SHA-512: d41d8c…) against Cisco’s published manifest before deployment. Consult the ASR 9000 Series Virtualization Guide for detailed configuration between VVol datastores and IPSec security associations.
: 网页1: Dell Virtual Storage Manager installation requirements for VMware environments
: 网页2: Cisco ASR 9000 Series deployment scenarios with IOS XR and security features
