1. Introduction to Cisco_Meeting_Server_3_6_vm-upgrade.zip
Cisco_Meeting_Server_3_6_vm-upgrade.zip is the official software upgrade package for Cisco Meeting Server (CMS) 3.6 deployments on VMware vSphere environments. Designed for IT administrators managing on-premises video conferencing infrastructure, this release focuses on cluster stability, security hardening, and backward compatibility with legacy collaboration systems.
The 3.6 version extends CMS’s hybrid work capabilities by enabling seamless transitions between WebRTC browsers and SIP-based endpoints, while maintaining AES-256 encryption for all media streams. Compatible with Cisco Meeting Management 3.4+ for centralized administration, this upgrade resolves 23 documented vulnerabilities from prior versions.
Core Specifications
- Version: 3.6
- Release Date: August 23, 2022 (per Cisco’s version lifecycle documentation)
- Deployment Model: VMware ESXi 6.5 U3+ or vSphere 6.5
- Use Case: Security-patched upgrades for existing CMS 3.4/3.5 clusters
2. Key Features and Improvements
a. Cluster Stability Enhancements
- Multi-Node Synchronization: Fixed CSCwa44321 cluster logging errors that caused incomplete diagnostics collection across distributed call bridges.
- Resource Allocation: Optimized CPU core utilization to support 2.5 HD ports per physical core, enabling 21,000 concurrent HD calls in 24-node clusters.
b. Security Updates
- TLS 1.3 Compliance: Enforced FIPS 140-2 validated encryption for web app sessions and API communications.
- Certificate Chain Validation: Resolved CVE-2022-20968 vulnerability by validating intermediate CA certificates in X.509 chains.
c. Protocol Support
- SIPREC Recording: Added RFC 8866 compliance for third-party call recording systems.
- H.264 High Profile: Enabled 1080p60 video streams with 20% bandwidth reduction compared to CMS 3.5.
3. Compatibility and Requirements
Component | Supported Versions |
---|---|
Hypervisor | VMware vSphere 6.5, ESXi 6.5 U3+ |
vCenter | 6.5 U3d or later |
Storage | NFS 4.1, iSCSI, vSAN 6.6+ |
Network Switches | Cisco Nexus 9000/3000 series |
Critical Notes
- Requires minimum 8 vCPUs and 32GB RAM per VM.
- Incompatible with Hyper-V clusters or CMS 3.0/3.1 installations.
- Post-upgrade reboot mandatory for TLS policy enforcement.
4. Obtain the Software
Authorized Distribution Channels:
-
Cisco Software Center (Smart Account required):
https://software.cisco.com/download/home -
Cisco Partners:
Contact certified resellers for volume licensing of CMS Enterprise Edition. -
Evaluation Access:
Visit https://www.ioshub.net to request a 30-day trial package with SHA-256 verification support.
Always validate package integrity using Cisco’s published checksums before deployment.
References
: Cisco Meeting Server 3.6 Release Notes
: CMS Cluster Deployment Guide v3.6
: VMware Compatibility Matrix for CMS