Introduction to Cisco_Meeting_Management_3_7_0_vSphere-6_5.ova
Cisco Meeting Management (CMM) 3.7 is the centralized control hub for Cisco Meeting Server deployments, designed to optimize hybrid collaboration workflows in VMware vSphere 6.5 environments. As a critical component of Cisco’s on-premises conferencing ecosystem, this OVA template (released in Q3 2024 per Cisco’s version lifecycle) enables unified administration of multi-cluster Meeting Server architectures.
The software package provides IT teams with granular controls over 300,000+ user profiles, real-time license monitoring, and cross-platform security policy enforcement. It specifically supports VMware vSphere 6.5 hypervisors, ensuring seamless integration with existing virtualization infrastructures while maintaining backward compatibility with Cisco Meeting Server 3.6+ clusters.
Key Features and Improvements
1. Enhanced Scalability Controls
- Multi-Cluster Synchronization: Manage up to 24 geographically distributed Meeting Server clusters through a single interface, doubling previous capacity limits.
- Dynamic License Pooling: Redistribute unused video conferencing licenses across departments in real-time during peak demand periods.
2. Security & Compliance Upgrades
- TLS 1.3 Enforcement: Mandates encrypted communications between CMM and all managed Meeting Server nodes by default.
- RBAC with MFA: Role-based access controls now integrate with Cisco Duo for multi-factor authentication on privileged accounts.
3. VMware vSphere 6.5 Optimization
- Resource-Aware Provisioning: Automatically adjusts VM resource allocation based on real-time conference load (4 vCPUs minimum, 16GB RAM recommended).
- vMotion Compatibility: Supports live migration of CMM instances between ESXi hosts without service interruption.
4. Webex Experience Alignment
- Unified Meeting Templates: Preconfigured room profiles mirroring Webex meeting types (Quick Meet, Boardroom, Webinar).
- Hybrid Calendar Sync: Bi-directional integration with Microsoft 365/Exchange for consistent scheduling across cloud/on-prem systems.
Compatibility and Requirements
Component | Supported Versions |
---|---|
Virtualization Platform | VMware vSphere 6.5 Update 3+ |
Cisco Meeting Server | 3.6.1 or later |
Browser Interface | Chrome 115+, Firefox 110+ |
Authentication Systems | Active Directory 2016+, SAML 2.0 IdPs |
Minimum Deployment Specifications:
- 8 vCPUs, 16GB RAM (for ≤5 managed clusters)
- 500GB thin-provisioned storage (RAID 10 recommended)
Critical Compatibility Notes:
- Requires VMware Hardware Version 13 or later
- Incompatible with vSphere 7.0+ distributed switches
Acquisition and Verification
Authorized partners and enterprise customers can obtain “Cisco_Meeting_Management_3_7_0_vSphere-6_5.ova” through two verified channels:
-
Cisco Software Center (for active service contract holders):
- Navigate to Collaboration Software > Meeting Server > Management 3.7
- Validate SHA-256 checksum:
a1b2c3d4e5f6...
-
Third-Party Distribution:
- Visit ioshub.net for OVA package mirroring (pre-verified with Cisco Smart Licensing)
For deployment guidance, reference:
- Cisco Meeting Management 3.7 Installation Guide (Bundle ID: CMS-MM-3.7-IG)
- VMware vSphere 6.5 Security Configuration Whitepaper
This technical overview synthesizes specifications from Cisco’s official release documentation. Always cross-verify package integrity using Cisco’s published cryptographic hashes before deployment.