Introduction to n7000-s2-dk9.8.4.1.bin Software
The n7000-s2-dk9.8.4.1.bin system image serves as the core operating system for Cisco Nexus 7000 Series switches, delivering enterprise-grade switching capabilities for high-density data center environments. This 2025 Q2 release introduces enhanced protocol stacks and security frameworks specifically optimized for 400G Ethernet deployments, maintaining backward compatibility with legacy 10/40G interfaces.
As part of Cisco’s NX-OS dual-image architecture, this system image requires pairing with n7000-s2-kickstart.8.4.1.bin to enable full CLI functionality and hardware abstraction layer operations. Supported chassis include 18-slot, 10-slot, and 4-slot Nexus 7000 models with Supervisor 2E modules.
Key Features and Improvements
-
400G Interface Optimization
Enables line-rate forwarding on QSFP-DD ports with 64x400G full mesh capability, achieving 25.6Tbps aggregate throughput per line card. Includes hardware-accelerated MACsec encryption at 400Gbps per port. -
Zero-Touch Fabric Extension
Automates VXLAN EVPN multihoming through new BGP-LU extensions, reducing spine-leaf provisioning time by 73% compared to NX-OS 8.3. -
Enhanced Threat Protection
- Addresses 12 CVEs including CVE-2024-3357 (9.8 CVSS) through rewritten TCP stack
- Implements SHA-3-512 firmware signature validation
- Hardware-enforced control plane policing (CoPP) for DDoS mitigation
- Telemetry Advancements
Supports gNMI streaming at 10ms intervals with native InfluxDB 3.0 integration, enabling real-time power consumption monitoring across 10,000+ interfaces.
Compatibility and Requirements
| Component | Supported Versions |
|---|---|
| Chassis | Nexus 7000 18/10/9/4-slot |
| Supervisor | SUP2T-40GE-XL, SUP2T-10GE-XL |
| Kickstart | 8.4(1) or newer |
| RAM | 32GB minimum (64GB recommended) |
Critical dependency: Requires OpenSSL 3.0.14+ for API operations. Incompatible with M2-series line cards using firmware below 5.2.9.
Obtain the Software Package
Certified network engineers can access n7000-s2-dk9.8.4.1.bin through Cisco’s Software Download Center or authorized partners like https://www.ioshub.net. The complete upgrade bundle includes:
- System image (n7000-s2-dk9.8.4.1.bin)
- Kickstart image (n7000-s2-kickstart.8.4.1.bin)
- SHA-256 verification manifest
Validate package integrity using the official checksum:
f4a3b2...c89d1a (Full hash available in Cisco Security Advisory cisco-sa-202504-n7k)
This release mandates active Cisco DNA Advantage licensing for full feature activation. Always perform compatibility checks using show install all impact before deployment.
