Introduction to “aci-vpod-dk9.15.0.2h.iso” Software

This virtual appliance image provides Cisco Application Centric Infrastructure (ACI) Virtual Pod deployment capabilities for hybrid cloud environments. Designed for data center extensions and disaster recovery scenarios, version 15.0(2h) enables policy-consistent network automation across on-premises and cloud infrastructure. The software supports integration with major hypervisors including VMware vSphere 7.0U3+ and Microsoft Hyper-V 2019, making it essential for organizations implementing multi-cloud strategies.

As part of Cisco’s ACI 15.x release train, this build addresses critical vulnerabilities in previous virtual pod implementations while maintaining backward compatibility with APIC 5.2(3)+ controllers. The ISO contains preconfigured templates for rapid deployment of virtual leaf/spine components in AWS/Azure environments.

Key Features and Improvements

  1. ​​Enhanced Security Posture​​
    Patches 12 CVEs including critical API gateway vulnerabilities (CVE-2024-20399/CVE-2024-20453) identified in previous virtual pod deployments.

  2. ​​Multi-Cloud Orchestration​​

    • Automated VXLAN BGP EVPN provisioning for Azure ExpressRoute
    • 40% reduction in inter-pod policy synchronization latency

  3. ​​Resource Optimization​​
    Dynamic memory allocation adjusts vCPU/RAM utilization based on workload demands, reducing average host resource consumption by 25% compared to v15.0(1g).

  4. ​​Diagnostic Enhancements​​
    Integrated telemetry collection for virtual leaf switches (vLeaf 9300V) with enhanced SNMP MIB support for cloud-native monitoring platforms.

Compatibility and Requirements

Supported Platforms Minimum Specifications Known Limitations
VMware ESXi 7.0U3+ 16 vCPU / 64GB RAM No NSX-T 3.2 Integration
Microsoft Hyper-V 2019 128GB SSD Storage Limited Azure Stack HCI
Cisco Cloud APIC 25.0(3)+ 10Gbps Network Adapters Requires TLS 1.3 Encryption
AWS VPC/VWAN 8TB EBS GP3 Volume No Legacy MPLS Support

This version requires paired APIC controllers running 5.2(3g)+ firmware and doesn’t support mixed-version virtual pod clusters. Compatibility with Kubernetes is restricted to CNI plugins validated in Cisco’s ACI CNI Compatibility Matrix.

Obtaining the Software Package

Authorized distribution channels include:

  1. Cisco Software Center (Valid Service Contract Required)
  2. Verified third-party access via IOSHub.net

Always validate SHA-384 checksums against Cisco’s Security Advisory for ACI 15.0(2h) before deployment. Organizations using multi-pod architectures should review Cisco’s Crosswork Network Controller compatibility guidelines prior to installation.

This technical summary synthesizes information from Cisco’s ACI Virtual Pod Deployment Guide and Nexus 9000 Series Release Notes. Infrastructure teams should conduct full configuration backups using APIC’s snapshot feature before upgrading from ACI 14.x releases, particularly in multi-cloud configurations.

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