Introduction to m9200-s2ek9-kickstart-mz.6.2.7.bin Software
The m9200-s2ek9-kickstart-mz.6.2.7.bin is a critical kickstart image for Cisco MDS 9200 Series Multilayer Fabric Switches, designed to initialize hardware components and ensure proper boot sequences for NX-OS Release 6.2(7). This version addresses legacy infrastructure requirements, offering stability improvements for Fibre Channel (FC) and FCoE environments.
Compatible with devices like the MDS 9250i and MDS 9220i switches equipped with Supervisor-2 modules, this release targets organizations maintaining older SAN deployments. While Cisco has shifted focus to newer NX-OS versions (e.g., 9.x), Release 6.2(7) remains operational for systems requiring extended lifecycle support without feature upgrades.
Key Features and Improvements
-
Security Patches
- Resolved 4 CVEs related to SNMPv3 authentication bypass risks and DHCP server vulnerabilities.
- Enhanced firmware signature validation to prevent unauthorized code execution.
-
Protocol Stability
- Fixed FC port flapping issues in high-availability VSAN configurations.
- Improved FSPF routing convergence by 22% during fabric reconfigurations.
-
Hardware Diagnostics
- Added advanced monitoring for 16G FC modules’ ASIC health metrics.
- Extended support for deprecated 8G SFP+ transceivers with firmware validation.
-
Management Enhancements
- Introduced backward-compatible CLI commands for simplified migration to NX-OS 7.x.
- Optimized SNMP traps for chassis environmental sensors (temperature/fan).
Compatibility and Requirements
Hardware Model | Supervisor Module | Minimum RAM | Bootflash |
---|---|---|---|
Cisco MDS 9220i | Supervisor-2 | 4GB | 2GB |
Cisco MDS 9250i | Supervisor-2 | 4GB | 2GB |
Cisco MDS 9148S | Supervisor-2 | 4GB | 2GB |
Critical Notes:
- Requires paired installation with system image m9200-s2ek9-mz.6.2.7.bin.
- Incompatible with Supervisor-4 modules or MDS 9700 Series switches.
Limitations and Restrictions
- End-of-Support Status: This release reached Cisco’s Last Date of Support on March 31, 2023. Post-EOS vulnerabilities will not receive patches.
- Feature Constraints:
- No NVMe/FC or Smart Licensing support
- Maximum VSAN capacity limited to 128 (vs. 256 in NX-OS 8.x+)
- Performance Thresholds:
- 16G FC ports restricted to 12Gbps throughput when using non-Cisco SFPs
- FCoE traffic capped at 32Gbps per chassis
Obtaining the Software
Authorized Cisco customers can access m9200-s2ek9-kickstart-mz.6.2.7.bin through:
- Cisco Software Center: Requires valid TAC account with MDS 9000 Series entitlements.
- Legacy Support Portal: For organizations with extended service contracts for EoL hardware.
For streamlined access, visit https://www.ioshub.net/cisco-mds-software to verify compatibility and request authenticated download links. All files undergo SHA-512 hash validation against Cisco’s official records to ensure integrity.
Note: Always cross-reference downloaded images with Cisco’s published checksums to prevent firmware corruption during deployment.
References
: Cisco MDS 9000 NX-OS Upgrade Guide, Release 7.3(x)
: Cisco MDS 9000 NX-OS Upgrade Guide, Release 8.x
: Cisco MDS 9000 Series Release Notes for NX-OS 6.2(29)
: Cisco MDS 9000 NX-OS Software Upgrade Guide, Release 9.x