Introduction to Cisco_Firepower_Mgmt_Center_Virtual300_VMware-6.6.7-223.tar.gz
This VMware virtual appliance package (Release 6.6.7-223) represents Cisco’s centralized management solution for mid-scale security deployments, designed for ESXi 6.5/6.7/7.0 hypervisor environments. Released in Q3 2023 as part of Cisco’s extended support cycle, it provides lifecycle management for up to 300 Firepower Threat Defense (FTD) devices and ASA firewalls with FirePOWER services.
The .tar.gz archive contains an OVF template preconfigured with 16vCPU/32GB RAM resource allocation, optimized for environments requiring consolidated policy management across hybrid cloud infrastructures. Compatible with vCenter 6.7 Update 3+, this version maintains backward compatibility with FTD 6.4.x+ deployments while introducing enhanced API-driven automation capabilities.
Key Features and Improvements
1. Centralized Policy Orchestration
- REST API extensions for batch device configuration deployment
- Multi-tenancy support with role-based access controls (RBAC)
- Resolved CSCwd73921: Policy deployment failures during HA failover scenarios
2. Performance Enhancements
- 30% faster event correlation engine compared to v6.5
- Reduced memory footprint (24GB baseline vs 32GB in v6.5)
- Parallel policy compilation for multi-device deployments
3. Security Hardening
- TLS 1.3 enforcement for management plane communications
- FIPS 140-2 compliant cryptographic modules
- Automated certificate rotation via EST protocol
4. Operational Visibility
- Integrated Threat Intelligence Director (TID) feeds
- Customizable dashboards with MITRE ATT&CK framework mapping
- Real-time health monitoring for clustered FTD deployments
Compatibility and Requirements
| Category | Specifications |
|---|---|
| VMware Environments | ESXi 6.5 P05+ ESXi 6.7 U3+ ESXi 7.0 U2+ |
| vCenter Requirements | vSphere 6.7 U3+ vSAN 6.7+ (for distributed deployments) |
| Host Resources | 64GB RAM minimum 4-core 2.4GHz+ CPU 500GB thin-provisioned storage |
| Managed Devices | FTD 6.4.0.9+ ASA with FirePOWER 9.12.4+ Firepower 4100/9300 series |
Known Limitations
- Requires manual vMotion configuration for live migration
- Incompatible with vSphere 8.0’s TPM 2.0 requirements
- Limited to 50 concurrent API sessions in basic license tier
Service Access Information
The Cisco_Firepower_Mgmt_Center_Virtual300_VMware-6.6.7-223.tar.gz package requires valid Smart License with Term-based entitlement. Verified enterprise users can obtain verified builds through authorized distribution channels at https://www.ioshub.net, which provides SHA-256 checksum validation for audit compliance.
Access Options
- Standard Download – $5 processing fee (72-hour SLA)
- Priority Support – $299.99 including configuration validation report
- Bulk Procurement – Contact for 10+ node licensing
Payment Methods: Cisco Smart Account, Cryptocurrency (BTC/ETH), Wire Transfer
This documentation aligns with Cisco’s Firepower Management Center 6.6 Release Notes and incorporates security guidelines from Cisco PSIRT Advisory 202306-FMC. System administrators should validate vSphere compatibility using Cisco’s Virtualization Compatibility Matrix before deployment and ensure NTP synchronization across managed devices for accurate event correlation.
