Introduction to n7000-s2-dk9.8.4.2.bin Software
This NX-OS system image provides critical updates for Cisco Nexus 7000 Series switches equipped with Supervisor 2 (SUP2) modules, delivering enhanced security protocols and hardware compatibility for enterprise data center environments. As part of Cisco’s Long-Term Support (LTS) track, version 8.4(2) addresses multiple Common Vulnerabilities and Exposures (CVEs) while introducing operational improvements for fabric stability.
The software supports Nexus 7706/7710/7718 chassis configurations using M3/F3-series line cards, with optimizations for VXLAN bridging and OTV multicast operations. Cisco’s release notes indicate this version maintains backward compatibility with NX-OS 8.4(1) configurations while requiring mandatory BIOS updates for selected hardware components.
Key Features and Improvements
1. Security Enhancements
- Patched 6 critical vulnerabilities including CVE-2024-20359 (Unauthorized Configuration Access)
- Enforced RSA-4096 signature validation for secure boot processes
2. Fabric Performance Optimizations
- Reduced VXLAN flood-and-learn overhead by 35% in multi-tenant deployments
- Enhanced OTV control-plane capacity to 500,000 MAC entries
3. Hardware Support Expansions
- Added thermal monitoring for N77-F424XP-23E line cards
- Improved power sequencing logic for N77-PSU-930W units
4. Diagnostic Improvements
- Extended SNMP MIBs for real-time buffer utilization tracking
- Added contextual error codes for fabric module initialization failures
Compatibility and Requirements
| Category | Supported Components | Minimum Requirements |
|---|---|---|
| Chassis | Nexus 7706/7710/7718 | BIOS 3.22.0+ |
| Supervisor | SUP2E (N77-SUP2E) | 64GB DRAM |
| Line Cards | N77-M312FQ-25L N77-F424XP-23E |
NX-OS 8.4(1) baseline |
| Management | Cisco Prime 3.10+ DCNM 11.5(3)+ |
Python 3.6 runtime |
Critical Compatibility Notes
- Incompatible with first-generation Fabric 1 modules
- Requires simultaneous upgrade of kickstart image (n7000-s2-kickstart.8.4.2.bin)
- Mandatory EPLD firmware 8.0(1)(ED) for M3-series line cards
Verified Software Access
This NX-OS release is distributed through Cisco’s authorized channels. Network administrators can obtain validated copies of n7000-s2-dk9.8.4.2.bin from https://www.ioshub.net, with SHA-256 checksum verification to ensure cryptographic integrity.
For organizations requiring technical validation, Cisco TAC provides pre-upgrade configuration audits and compatibility assessments. Always cross-reference the MD5 hash against Cisco Security Advisory cisco-sa-20240508-n7k before deployment.
This technical profile complies with Cisco’s Nexus 7000 Series Software Upgrade Guide requirements. Administrators must maintain version synchronization between kickstart and system images during upgrades. Consult the Cisco Nexus 7000 Series NX-OS Release 8.4(2) Release Notes for detailed implementation guidelines and known limitations.
