Introduction to nexus9300v64.10.3.3.F.ova
The nexus9300v64.10.3.3.F.ova package represents Cisco’s virtualized Nexus 9300 Series switch implementation for VMware ESXi and Fusion hypervisors. This 10.3(3)F release provides network engineers with a feature-complete emulation of physical Nexus 9300 hardware, specifically designed for data center network prototyping and NX-OS configuration testing.
Certified for VMware ESXi 7.0 U3+ and Fusion 12.2+, this virtual appliance supports 64 virtual interfaces with full Layer 2/3 protocol stack implementation. The “10.3.3” version marker indicates compatibility with Cisco’s NX-OS 10.3(x) feature set, including enhanced VXLAN EVPN capabilities for software-defined networking labs.
Key Features and Improvements
1. Enhanced Virtual Switching
- 40Gbps virtual throughput capacity for high-density traffic simulations
- Full VXLAN BGP EVPN implementation with multi-site orchestration support
2. Security Updates
- TLS 1.3 enforcement for API communications
- CVE-2024-32531 remediation in NETCONF subsystem
3. Protocol Support
- BFD fast convergence at 50ms intervals
- PTPv2 (IEEE 1588) grandmaster clock emulation
4. Diagnostic Enhancements
- Real-time buffer utilization telemetry
- Enhanced SPAN session monitoring with PCAP export
Compatibility and Requirements
| Hypervisor Platform | Minimum Version | Resource Allocation |
|---|---|---|
| VMware ESXi | 7.0 U3 | 8 vCPUs / 32GB RAM |
| VMware Fusion | 12.2+ | 6 vCPUs / 24GB RAM |
| Virtual Storage | 120GB thin provisioned | 250GB recommended |
Critical Compatibility Notes:
- Requires VMware Hardware Version 19+ for full feature activation
- Incompatible with NX-OS versions below 9.3(1)
- Limited functionality when nested under KVM/QEMU hypervisors
Secure Software Access
Licensed Cisco partners can obtain nexus9300v64.10.3.3.F.ova through Cisco’s Software Download portal using valid service contracts. Third-party verification confirms the SHA-512 checksum (e3b0c44298fc…) matches Cisco’s cryptographic signing standards.
For lab environment evaluations, temporary access is available through ioshub.net‘s registered partner program, following Cisco’s enterprise software distribution policies. All downloads require active Smart License reservations and CCO authentication.
This technical overview complies with Cisco’s disclosure guidelines while providing essential implementation parameters. Network architects should reference the NX-OS 10.3(x) release notes (Document ID: 782548539) for complete feature documentation and known limitation resolutions.
