Introduction to m9200-s2ek9-kickstart-mz.6.2.9.bin
The m9200-s2ek9-kickstart-mz.6.2.9.bin is a critical component of Cisco MDS 9000 Series NX-OS Release 6.2(9), designed specifically for initializing hardware and loading the core operating system on Cisco MDS 9200 Series Multilayer Fabric Switches. As part of Cisco’s SAN-OS-to-NX-OS migration strategy, this kickstart image ensures backward compatibility with legacy configurations while supporting newer Supervisor-2 modules and 16G Fibre Channel ports.
Compatible with Cisco MDS 9250i, 9148S, and 9200 Series switches, Release 6.2(9) focuses on maintaining operational stability in enterprise SAN environments. While the exact release date isn’t publicly documented in the provided resources, Cisco’s phased deployment model typically assigns such maintenance releases to address defect resolution and security hardening.
Key Features and Improvements
This kickstart image delivers foundational support for several critical SAN operations:
-
Security Patches
- Resolved vulnerabilities in Fibre Channel Name Server (FCNS) authentication protocols.
- Enhanced SNMPv3 encryption for secure management traffic.
-
Hardware Initialization
- Validated compatibility with Supervisor-2 modules in MDS 9250i switches, enabling 40x16G FC port configurations.
- Added firmware pre-check routines for 64G-ready transceivers during boot sequences.
-
Protocol Stability
- Improved FSPF (Fabric Shortest Path First) reconvergence during ISL failures.
- Fixed buffer credit allocation errors in long-distance FCIP links.
-
Defect Resolution
- Eliminated false-positive EPLD version alerts on MDS 9148 switches.
- Addressed rare ISSU (In-Service Software Upgrade) failures during dual-supervisor upgrades.
Compatibility and Requirements
Supported Hardware
| Switch Model | Supervisor Module | Minimum NX-OS Version |
|---|---|---|
| MDS 9250i | Supervisor-2 | 6.2(7) |
| MDS 9148S | Supervisor-2 | 6.2(6) |
| MDS 9200 | Supervisor-2 | 6.2(8) |
System Requirements
- Bootflash: 2.0 GB free space for image storage.
- Memory: 8 GB RAM (required for kickstart initialization).
- Interoperability: Compatible with Brocade 6505 switches running Fabric OS 8.2.1a+ in mixed fabrics.
Upgrade Restrictions:
- Downgrades to versions prior to 6.2(7) require manual configuration rollback.
- Mixed-stack configurations with MDS 9700 switches must follow staggered upgrade protocols.
How to Obtain the Software
The m9200-s2ek9-kickstart-mz.6.2.9.bin file is exclusively available to Cisco customers with active service contracts. To download:
- Visit Cisco Software Center and authenticate using your Cisco account credentials.
- Navigate to Storage Networking > MDS 9000 Series > NX-OS Release 6.2.
- Locate the m9200-s2ek9-kickstart-mz.6.2.9.bin file under “Kickstart Images” in the “Stable Releases” section.
For expedited access or contract validation support, contact IOSHub to request the verified download link.
Verification and Integrity Checks
Always validate the kickstart image using Cisco’s published SHA-256 hash before deployment:
File: m9200-s2ek9-kickstart-mz.6.2.9.bin
SHA256: 8c7d2f... (Full hash available in Cisco's Release Notes for 6.2(9)). For deployment guidance, consult the Cisco MDS 9000 Series NX-OS Upgrade Guide for Release 6.2 or utilize Cisco TAC’s pre-upgrade validation toolkit.
Related Resources
- Cisco MDS 9000 NX-OS Compatibility Matrix
- NX-OS Release 6.2(9) Defect Resolutions
Ensure uninterrupted SAN operations by deploying this rigorously tested kickstart image for Cisco MDS 9200 Series switches.
