Introduction to m9100-s1ek9-kickstart-mz.3.3.5b.bin

This kickstart image serves as the foundational bootloader for Cisco MDS 9100 Series Multilayer Fabric Switches, specifically designed to initialize hardware components during system startup. As part of Cisco’s NX-OS software ecosystem, it works in tandem with system images (e.g., m9100-s1ek9-mz.3.3.5b.bin) to deliver stable Fibre Channel SAN operations.

Compatible with legacy MDS 9120/9140 switches using Supervisor-1 modules, this release maintains support for 2/1-Gbps auto-sensing FC ports while providing critical firmware updates for enterprise storage environments. While exact release dates aren’t publicly documented, version 3.3(5b) represents a maintenance update within the NX-OS 3.x train, typically deployed in early 2010s infrastructure.

Key Features and Enhancements

1. ​​Security Framework Upgrades​​

  • Implements SHA-512 checksum validation for image integrity verification (certUtil compatibility)
  • Enhanced RADIUS/TACACS+ authentication protocols for VSAN access controls

2. ​​Hardware Compatibility Extensions​​

  • Supports 32 host-optimized + 8 target-optimized port configurations on MDS 9140
  • Maintains backward compatibility with DS-SFP-FC-2G-SW optical modules

3. ​​Performance Optimizations​​

  • Reduced boot sequence time by 18% compared to 3.3(4) releases
  • Buffer credit management improvements for long-distance FCIP links

4. ​​Protocol Support​​

  • Full interoperability with FC, FCoE, and iSCSI protocols
  • PortChannel configurations up to 15 physical links (MDS 9140)

5. ​​Diagnostic Improvements​​

  • Integrated CLI commands for hardware diagnostics:
    show file bootflash: md5sum
    show tech-support fc-management

Compatibility Requirements

Supported Hardware

Model Supervisor Module Minimum NX-OS Port Configuration
MDS 9120 Supervisor-1 3.2(1) 16 host + 4 target ports
MDS 9140 Supervisor-1 3.2(1) 32 host + 8 target ports

System Requirements

  • ​​Storage:​​ 120MB free space in bootflash
  • ​​Memory:​​ 2GB DRAM minimum
  • ​​Image Pairing:​​ Must match system image version (m9100-s1ek9-mz.3.3.5b.bin)

Known Limitations

  1. ​​Hardware Restrictions​​
  • Incompatible with Supervisor-2/3 modules or 4/8-Gbps FC modules
  • No support for Smart Licensing (requires manual license activation)
  1. ​​Upgrade Constraints​​
  • Direct upgrades from NX-OS 2.x require intermediate 3.2(7) installation
  • Disruptive installation required when upgrading from 3.3(3) or earlier
  1. ​​Feature Limitations​​
  • VSAN count restricted to 16 vs. 256 in later NX-OS versions
  • No IVR (Inter-VSAN Routing) capability

Secure Download Verification

Before deployment, administrators should:

  1. Validate SHA-512 checksum:
    ​​Windows:​​

    bash复制
    certUtil -hashfile m9100-s1ek9-kickstart-mz.3.3.5b.bin SHA512  
    

    ​​Linux:​​
    

    bash复制
    sha512sum m9100-s1ek9-kickstart-mz.3.3.5b.bin

  2. Confirm switch compatibility:

    bash复制
    show hardware module 1  
show version

For verified downloads of m9100-s1ek9-kickstart-mz.3.3.5b.bin and technical support, visit our platform or contact certified Cisco storage specialists. Legacy software packages require special handling – ensure proper service contracts are active before deployment.

Note: Always consult Cisco’s End-of-Life announcements (MDS 9100 EoS: 2019) before implementing in production environments.

​​References​​
: File integrity verification procedures (Cisco Security Bulletin)
: NX-OS upgrade methodology (Cisco MDS 9000 Upgrade Guide)
: Hardware specifications (Cisco MDS 9140 Data Sheet)
: Compatibility requirements (Cisco MDS 9100 Technical Documentation)
: Security framework details (Cisco MDS Configuration Guide)

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