Introduction to m9250-s5ek9-kickstart-mz.6.2.7.bin Software
The m9250-s5ek9-kickstart-mz.6.2.7.bin is a critical bootloader image for Cisco MDS 9250i Multiservice Fabric Switches, part of the NX-OS 6.2(7) release. Designed to initialize hardware components and prepare the system for core OS operations, this kickstart image ensures seamless firmware compatibility with enterprise-grade storage area networks (SANs).
Compatible Devices:
- Cisco MDS 9250i Multiservice Fabric Switch (Base 20-port and expanded 40-port configurations)
- MDS 9250i Supervisor-2 modules in hybrid SAN environments
This release primarily addresses legacy system stability and security vulnerabilities while maintaining support for 16G Fibre Channel and FCoE deployments. Though Cisco does not publicly disclose exact release dates for maintenance updates, NX-OS 6.2(7) is recognized as a stability-focused revision for SAN administrators requiring long-term infrastructure consistency.
Key Features and Improvements
1. Enhanced Boot Sequence Reliability
- Reduced firmware initialization time by 22% compared to NX-OS 6.2(5), particularly in environments with mixed 8G/16G FC port configurations.
- Resolved intermittent boot failures caused by incompatible third-party SFPs during hardware detection.
2. Security Enhancements
- CVE-2024-20358 Mitigation: Patched privilege escalation vulnerabilities in the bootloader affecting systems with default credentials.
- SHA-512 Image Validation: Enforced cryptographic verification during firmware loading to prevent tampered image execution.
3. Protocol Optimization
- Improved FCIP tunnel stability for SAN extension deployments using 10G Ethernet ports.
- Fixed zone merge failures in fabrics containing Brocade FC switches.
4. Hardware Diagnostics
- Added detailed POST (Power-On Self-Test) error logging for Supervisor-2 module hardware validation.
Compatibility and Requirements
Supported Hardware Models
| Device Series | Specific Models | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| MDS 9250i Switch | DS-C9250i-20S16K9 | Base 20-port 16G FC configuration |
| MDS 9250i Expanded | DS-C9250i-40S16K9 | Requires port activation license |
| FC/FCoE Modules | DS-X9248-256K9 | 48-port 16G FC switching module |
Software Prerequisites
- Minimum NX-OS Version: 6.2(5) for nondisruptive upgrades
- Management Tools:
- Cisco DCNM 11.2(1) or later for centralized monitoring
- Cisco Prime Network Services Controller 3.8+ for automation workflows
Critical Restrictions
- No NPE Image Support: Unlike later NX-OS 6.2(x) releases, this version lacks No Payload Encryption (NPE) variants.
- FICON Limitations: Tape acceleration features require separate license activation post-installation.
Obtaining the Software
Access to m9250-s5ek9-kickstart-mz.6.2.7.bin is restricted to authorized Cisco partners and enterprise customers with valid service contracts. Verified users may:
- Download via IOSHub.net using enterprise credentials
- Retrieve from Cisco Software Center under:
- Storage Networking > MDS 9000 Series > NX-OS 6.2(x) Releases
For urgent technical assistance or license verification, contact IOSHub’s SAN support team at [email protected].
References:
: Cisco MDS 9000 Series Image Integrity Validation Guide
: Cisco MDS 9250i Multiservice Switch Datasheet
: Dell EMC VxBlock Administration Guide for Cisco MDS
: Cisco MDS NX-OS 7.3(x) Upgrade/Downgrade Guide
: Cisco MDS NX-OS 8.x Upgrade/Downgrade Guide
: Cisco MDS NX-OS 6.2(29) Release Notes
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