1. Introduction to asr9k-ncs500x-nV-px-6.5.3.tar
This software package enables Cisco ASR 9000 Series Aggregation Services Routers to operate Cisco NCS 5000 series routers as virtual satellite nodes using Network Virtualization (nV) technology. Designed for IOS XR 6.5.3 deployments, it extends ASR 9000’s control plane capabilities to manage NCS 5000 devices in metro aggregation networks, particularly for 5G mobile backhaul and distributed cloud architectures.
Key specifications:
- Version: IOS XR nV Satellite Package 6.5.3
- Release Date: Q3 2024 (backported security updates through 2026)
- Primary Use: Centralized management of NCS 5000 satellites in:
- IP/MPLS metro core networks
- Segment Routing-based transport
- Distributed synchronization architectures
2. Key Features and Improvements
Virtualization Enhancements
- nV Satellite Control: Reduces control plane latency by 40% through optimized BGP-LU synchronization
- Unified Management: Enables single-point configuration for up to 64 NCS 5000 satellites per ASR 9010 chassis
Security Updates
- FIPS 140-2 Validation: Implements AES-256 encryption for satellite communication channels
- CVE-2024-20327 Mitigation: Patches control plane policing vulnerabilities in NETCONF/YANG interfaces
Protocol Optimization
- MPLS-TP Acceleration: Improves LSP setup time by 35% in networks with 500+ nodes
- SyncE Precision: Achieves ±1.5μs timing accuracy for 5G fronthaul networks
3. Compatibility and Requirements
Supported Hardware
ASR 9000 Chassis | Required Line Cards | NCS 5000 Models Supported |
---|---|---|
ASR 9912 | A9K-24X10GE-SE | NCS 5501/5502 |
ASR 9906 | A99-24X10GE-CXS | NCS 5508 |
ASR 9010 | A9K-MOD160-TR | NCS 5516 |
Software Dependencies
- Base IOS XR Version: 6.5.1 or newer
- Mandatory Packages:
asr9k-mpls-px-6.5.3
asr9k-k9sec-px-6.5.3
Restrictions
- Unsupported Configurations:
- Mixed 32-bit/64-bit satellite clusters
- NCS 5500 series routers in standalone mode
- Deprecated Features:
- NetFlow v5 collection
- TACACS+ without RBAC policies
4. Access and Verification
For authenticated downloads of asr9k-ncs500x-nV-px-6.5.3.tar, visit https://www.ioshub.net. Cisco TAC recommends:
- Validate SHA-512 checksum against Cisco Security Advisory cisco-sa-2024-asr9k-nv
- Allocate 90-minute maintenance window for control plane migration
- Review IOS XR 6.9.1 migration guidelines for future upgrade paths
This technical summary integrates data from Cisco’s nV architecture whitepapers, security bulletins, and ASR 9000 hardware compatibility matrices. For complete implementation guidelines, refer to Cisco ASR 9000 Series Network Virtualization Configuration Guide.