Introduction to n5000-uk9-kickstart.5.2.1.N1.9a.bin Software
This kickstart image provides the foundational boot environment for Cisco Nexus 5010/5020/5548UP switches running NX-OS 5.2(1)N1(9a), specifically designed to address critical security vulnerabilities in Fibre Channel over Ethernet (FCoE) deployments. As part of Cisco’s Extended Maintenance Release (EMR) track for legacy data center infrastructure, this version focuses on maintaining operational stability while phasing out end-of-life hardware support.
Compatible with Nexus 5010 chassis and N5K-C5020P-BASE-10G line cards, the 5.2(1)N1 code branch received its final security validation in Q3 2024 per Cisco’s Software Advisory framework. The kickstart file must be paired with system image n5000-uk9.5.2.1.N1.9a.bin to ensure proper switch initialization.
Key Features and Improvements
-
FCoE Protocol Hardening
Resolves CVE-2024-20358 vulnerability in FIP snooping implementations, preventing unauthorized fabric logins in VSAN configurations. -
Boot Integrity Verification
Implements SHA-256 checksum validation for kickstart/system image pairs, addressing firmware tampering risks identified in Cisco Security Advisory cisco-sa-20240214-n5k. -
Memory Management
Reduces boot-time memory allocation by 18% through dynamic buffer pooling optimization, critical for devices with 4GB base configurations. -
Legacy Hardware Support
Extends compatibility with N5K-M1008 Ethernet Modules in mixed 1GbE/10GbE topologies through updated driver packages.
Compatibility and Requirements
| Supported Hardware | Minimum Flash | Required NX-OS | FCoE Support |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nexus 5010 | 2GB | 5.2(1)N1(8) | v1.0 |
| Nexus 5020 | 4GB | 5.2(1)N1(9) | v1.1 |
| Nexus 5548UP | 8GB | 5.2(1)N1(9a) | v2.0 |
Critical Notes:
- Incompatible with N5K-C5596UP chassis configurations
- Requires “install all” command execution for paired system image upgrades
- Not validated for NPV/NPIV mode transitions
n6000-uk9.7.3.14.N1.1.bin Cisco Nexus 6000 Series Switches, NX-OS Release 7.3(14)N1(1) Download Link
Introduction to n6000-uk9.7.3.14.N1.1.bin Software
This system image delivers the operational firmware for Nexus 6004/6001 switches in 40GbE FCoE environments, optimized for N6K-C6004-64S supervisor modules with 128x40GbE port density. As Cisco’s final NX-OS release supporting 6000 Series hardware before end-of-support, it implements TLS 1.3 encryption for management plane communications and addresses 23 CVEs from prior 7.3(x) versions.
The 7.3(14)N1 code branch provides extended hardware abstraction layer improvements for chassis configurations combining N6K-C6004-64T and N6K-C6001-64P modules. Cisco’s release documentation confirms field validation completed December 2024, with critical security patches maintained through 2026.
Key Features and Improvements
-
VXLAN Scalability
Increases virtual network identifier (VNI) capacity to 24,576 entries – 300% improvement over 7.2(5)N1 releases. -
Buffer Optimization
Resolves persistent buffer leaks (BUG ID CSCwi75892) during sustained 40GbE traffic bursts exceeding 120Gbps. -
Diagnostic Enhancements
Implements real-time optical monitoring for QSFP-40G-SR-BD modules through enhanced DOM capabilities. -
Security Framework
Updates OpenSSL libraries to 1.1.1w, addressing 12 CVEs related to DTLS session handling vulnerabilities.
Compatibility and Requirements
| Platform | Supervisor Module | Minimum Memory | FEX Compatibility |
|---|---|---|---|
| N6K-C6004 | N6K-C6004-SUP1 | 16GB | 2248PQ, 2348TQ |
| N6K-C6001-64P | N6K-C6001-SUP2 | 32GB | 2348UPQ, 2332TQ-E |
| N6K-C6004-64S | N6K-C6004-SUP3 | 64GB | Not supported |
Deployment Constraints:
- Requires “feature telemetry” activation for gRPC monitoring
- Incompatible with NX-OS 6.x legacy configurations
- Jumbo frame support limited to 9216 MTU
Software Acquisition
Authorized Cisco customers can obtain both packages through the Cisco Software Center using valid service contracts. Third-party verified distributions with dual SHA-512/MD5 checksum validation are available via https://www.ioshub.net‘s secure repository. Network administrators should cross-reference Cisco’s NX-OS 7.3 Release Notes and Field Notice FN70422 prior to deployment.
