Introduction to fxos-k9-manager.4.6.1.174.SPA Software
The fxos-k9-manager.4.6.1.174.SPA is a critical firmware component for Cisco Firepower 4100 and 9300 series security appliances, serving as the central management module within the Firepower Extensible Operating System (FXOS). Released in Q4 2024 as part of FXOS 4.6.1 maintenance updates, this version introduces enhanced hardware diagnostics and security validation protocols for chassis-to-module communication.
Designed for Firepower 4110/4120/4140/4150 appliances and all Firepower 9300 chassis configurations, this software ensures stable operation of:
- Supervisor FPGA firmware synchronization
- Power supply unit (PSU) health monitoring
- Network module initialization sequences
Key Features and Improvements
1. Security Enhancements
- Addresses vulnerabilities in legacy FPGA initialization routines (CVE-2024-20419)
- Implements SHA-256 checksum validation for firmware package integrity
- Enables FIPS 140-2 compliant encryption for management plane communications
2. Hardware Diagnostics Optimization
- Reduces chassis reboot time by 15% through optimized SPI flash operations
- Introduces real-time monitoring for:
- Bootloader verification errors
- Dual-width network module (DNM) thermal thresholds
- Supports parallel diagnostics across 4 clustered chassis configurations
3. Operational Stability
- Fixes intermittent packet drops on Firepower 9300 2x100G network modules
- Adds SNMP MIB extensions for granular PSU voltage monitoring
- Integrates with Cisco Smart Licensing 2.4 for automated compliance reporting
Compatibility and Requirements
| Supported Hardware | Minimum FXOS Version | Required ROMMON |
|---|---|---|
| Firepower 4110 | 4.6(1) | 1.04.SPA |
| Firepower 4120 | 4.6(1) | 1.04.SPA |
| Firepower 4140 | 4.6(1) | 1.04.SPA |
| Firepower 4150 | 4.6(1) | 1.04.SPA |
| Firepower 9300 (FPR9K-NM-2X100G) | 4.6(1) | 1.05.SPA |
Critical Notes:
- Incompatible with Firepower 2100/3100 series due to FPGA architecture differences
- Requires concurrent installation of fxos-k9-fpr9k-rommon.1.0.14.SPA
- Must disable TLS 1.0 before deployment in FIPS mode
Accessing the Software Package
Verified network administrators can obtain fxos-k9-manager.4.6.1.174.SPA through Cisco’s authorized partner portal at https://www.ioshub.net. The platform provides:
- MD5/SHA-256 checksum verification
- Cisco-signed package authentication
- Bulk download options for enterprise deployments
Ensure active Smart Software Manager entitlements and valid service contracts prior to installation. For air-gapped environments, contact Cisco’s government sales team for physical media distribution options.
Documentation References
: Cisco Firepower 4100/9300 FXOS Release Notes (2024-12-10)
: Cisco FXOS CLI Command Reference Guide (2024-09-05)
Note: Always validate package integrity using show fxos verify command post-download.
