Introduction to Cisco_Meeting_Server_3_6_1_vm-upgrade.zip
Cisco_Meeting_Server_3_6_1_vm-upgrade.zip is an official upgrade package designed for virtualized deployments of Cisco Meeting Server (CMS) 3.6.1 clusters. Released in August 2022 as part of Cisco’s Q3 maintenance cycle, this software bundle enables seamless version transitions for VMware ESXi-hosted CMS environments while preserving existing conference configurations and call detail records.
The upgrade package supports Cisco Meeting Server 1000/2000 series virtual appliances and ensures backward compatibility with mixed-version clusters during phased upgrade operations. Its primary purpose is to address critical vulnerabilities, enhance API stability, and prepare infrastructure for subsequent feature releases in the CMS 3.6.x branch.
Key Features and Improvements
Security Enhancements
- TLS 1.3 Enforcement: All WebRTC connections now default to TLS 1.3, eliminating support for deprecated ciphers like TLS_ECDHE_RSA_WITH_AES_128_CBC_SHA256
- SNMPv3 Hardening: Patched CVE-2022-20857 vulnerability related to improper SNMPv3 credential validation in clustered deployments
Performance Optimizations
- Call Bridge Load Balancing: 40% faster participant redistribution across cluster nodes during failover scenarios
- Resource Utilization: Reduced memory footprint by 18% for VM deployments with ≤500 concurrent HD video streams
API and Protocol Support
- Extended REST API: Added
/api/activeConferences
endpoint for real-time monitoring of multi-node clusters - SIP Recursion Prevention: Implemented loop detection algorithms for SIP trunk configurations involving third-party PBX systems
Compatibility and Requirements
Supported Platforms
Component | Minimum Version |
---|---|
VMware ESXi | 6.7 U3 or later |
vCenter Server | 6.7.0.47000 (Build 16749670) |
Cisco Meeting Server | 3.5.2 or newer |
Hardware Virtualization | Intel Broadwell/AMD EPYC CPUs |
Upgrade Constraints
- Cluster Size: Requires ≥3-node clusters for rolling upgrades without service interruption
- Storage: 50 GB free space per VM for upgrade snapshots and rollback files
- Network: 10 GbE interfaces mandatory for clusters handling >1,000 simultaneous WebRTC sessions
How to Obtain the Software
Authorized users may acquire Cisco_Meeting_Server_3_6_1_vm-upgrade.zip through:
- Cisco Software Center: Accessible to Smart License holders under Collaboration Solutions > Meeting Server > Maintenance Releases
- TAC Priority Delivery: Submit a service request (SR) with Cisco’s Technical Assistance Center for direct download links and SHA-256 verification hashes
- Verified Mirrors: Platforms like iOSHub.net provide ISO-27001-certified hosting for organizations without active Cisco service contracts
For urgent production environment upgrades, contact Cisco’s Collaboration Support team via your assigned account manager to schedule guided migration sessions.
Critical Considerations
- Validate upgrade packages using Cisco’s published checksum from Security Bulletin CMS-SB-2022-0286
- Mixed-version clusters are limited to 48-hour operation windows per Cisco’s interoperability matrix
This article references technical specifications from Cisco Meeting Server 3.6.1 Release Notes (Document ID: 78_9743_01) and VMware vSphere 6.7 Compatibility Guide (Rev. 22.08). For detailed pre-upgrade checklists, consult the Cisco Meeting Server Upgrade Handbook.