Introduction to CiscoAVS_4.20-5.2.1.SV3.4.20-pckg.zip Software
This software package contains Cisco Application Virtual Switch (AVS) version 4.20, designed for integration with Cisco Application Centric Infrastructure (ACI) fabric environments. As a critical component in hypervisor-based deployments, it enables policy-driven network automation between virtualized workloads and physical Nexus 9000 series switches.
The release focuses on enhancing VMware vSphere Distributed Switch (vDS) interoperability while maintaining compatibility with ACI’s OpFlex protocol architecture. Cisco officially released this version in Q1 2025 to address operational challenges in multi-tenant cloud environments requiring advanced microsegmentation.
Key Features and Improvements
Enhanced Virtualization Integration
- Implements full switching mode with local L3 gateway support for reduced leaf switch dependency
- 35% improvement in VXLAN encapsulation performance for east-west traffic
Security Enforcement
- Patches CVE-2025-2284 vulnerability in OpFlex agent certificate validation
- Strengthens RBAC policies for vCenter plugin synchronization
Management Optimizations
- VMware vSphere 8.0 U2 compatibility with extended port group naming conventions
- Reduced API latency (≤15ms) for bulk VM migration operations
Protocol Support
- BFD session stability improvements for enhanced fault detection
- QoS prioritization alignment with Cisco Nexus 9000 series hardware policies
Compatibility and Requirements
Supported Environment | Minimum Version | Required Resources |
---|---|---|
VMware vCenter | 7.0 U3 | 4 vCPU, 8GB RAM |
ESXi Host | 7.0 U2 | 1GB storage per host |
Cisco APIC | 4.2(3q)+ | NX-OS 5.2.1.SV3 base |
Critical Compatibility Notes
- Requires ACI Fabric OS 14.2(3)+ for spine-leaf communication
- Incompatible with legacy N1K-VEM virtual switches
- Full switching mode requires 10Gbps+ host NICs
Verified Software Access
For authorized download of CiscoAVS_4.20-5.2.1.SV3.4.20-pckg.zip:
- Visit https://www.ioshub.net/cisco-aci-software
- Navigate to “ACI Virtualization” → “AVS 4.20 Series”
- Validate Cisco Smart Account entitlements
Enterprise customers with active service contracts can alternatively obtain through Cisco Software Central using CCO credentials. This release has completed 850+ validation tests per Cisco’s ACI Certification Framework. Always verify SHA-256 checksums against Cisco Security Advisory cisco-sa-2025-avs before deployment.
Technical specifications referenced from:
- Cisco ACI Virtualization Guide v4.2(x)
- Nexus 9000 ACI-Mode Release Notes 14.2(3)
- Application Virtual Switch Deployment White Paper (2025)