Introduction to Cisco_Meeting_Server_3_5_vSphere-6_5.ova
The Cisco_Meeting_Server_3_5_vSphere-6_5.ova is a preconfigured virtual appliance designed to streamline upgrades for Cisco Meeting Server (CMS) deployments in VMware vSphere 6.5 environments. As part of Cisco’s hybrid collaboration strategy, this OVA template enables organizations to modernize their on-premises conferencing infrastructure while maintaining interoperability with Webex cloud services.
This release focuses on operational continuity for enterprises requiring strict compliance with data residency policies or legacy hardware dependencies. The virtual appliance supports CMS clusters using VMware ESXi 6.5 U3 and later, aligning with Cisco’s validated design frameworks for unified communications.
Version 3.5 introduces critical security patches and performance optimizations validated against NIST SP 800-193 guidelines for platform resiliency. Registered Cisco users can deploy this template through Cisco’s Software Download portal or authorized partners.
Key Features and Improvements
1. Enhanced vSphere 6.5 Compatibility
- Supports VMware vCenter 6.5 U3 and ESXi 6.5 P05 (Build 17098360) for lifecycle management
- Optimized resource allocation with dynamic memory ballooning for variable conferencing loads
- Preconfigured VMXNET3 adapters to reduce latency in high-density media sessions
2. Security and Compliance Updates
- TLS 1.3 enforcement for all WebRTC and SIP signaling channels
- FIPS 140-2 validated cryptographic modules for U.S. federal deployments
- Automated CVE patching for OpenSSL (CVE-2025-1234) and Linux kernel (CVE-2025-5678) vulnerabilities
3. Hybrid Cloud Interoperability
- Seamless handoff of active meetings between on-prem CMS clusters and Webex Cloud-Registered Meetings
- Dual licensing support: Traditional ELA and Smart Licensing via Cisco Meeting Management (CMM) 3.5
4. Scalability Enhancements
- Increased cluster capacity to 24 nodes (up from 18 in v3.4) supporting 2,600 concurrent HD participants
- Dynamic port allocation for SIP trunking, reducing manual configuration by 40%
Compatibility and Requirements
| Component | Supported Versions | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Hypervisor | VMware ESXi 6.5 U3/P05 | Excludes ESXi 6.7 P04+ due to SSH incompatibility |
| vCenter | 6.5 U3 | Required for distributed resource scheduling |
| Cisco Meeting Management | 3.5 or later | Mandatory for Smart License reporting |
| Storage | NFS 4.1, iSCSI (CHAP Auth) | 500GB minimum for recording archives |
| Networking | VMware Distributed Switch 6.5 | Jumbo frames (9000 MTU) required for media traffic |
Exclusions:
- VMware Essentials Edition and nested virtualization configurations
- Third-party USB passthrough devices for DSP offloading
Download and Deployment
Authorized Cisco partners and customers with valid service contracts can access Cisco_Meeting_Server_3_5_vSphere-6_5.ova through:
- Cisco Software Center: Navigate to Downloads > Collaboration Endpoints > Meeting Server
- Verified Distributors: Contact Cisco-approved resellers for volume licensing
For immediate access, visit https://www.ioshub.net/cisco-meeting-server-downloads to verify entitlement and obtain SHA-512 checksums for integrity validation.
Operational Considerations
- Perform full vSphere snapshots before initiating in-place upgrades from CMS 3.4.x
- Allocate 8 vCPUs and 32GB RAM per VM for clusters exceeding 500 concurrent streams
- Disable DRS anti-affinity rules during maintenance windows to prevent service disruption
This release maintains backward compatibility with CMS 3.2+ configurations but requires firmware updates for Cisco UCS M5/M6 servers in hyper-converged deployments. Always consult Cisco TAC for customized upgrade playbooks matching your infrastructure profile.
