Introduction to nexus9300v64-lite.10.2.5.M.ova
This OVA-formatted virtual appliance provides a lightweight deployment option of Cisco Nexus 9300v – the virtualized version of Cisco’s data center leaf switches. Designed for lab environments and network prototyping, this “Lite” variant (NX-OS 10.2.5M) maintains core switching functionality while reducing resource consumption by 40% compared to full-featured images.
Compatible with VMware ESXi 7.0+ and vCenter 7.0.3+, this release focuses on stability improvements for VXLAN/EVPN simulations. It supports 64 virtual interfaces and integrates with Cisco Network Services Orchestrator (NSO) for automated topology deployments.
Key Features and Enhancements
-
Resource Optimization
- 12GB minimum RAM requirement (vs 32GB in standard images)
- Collapsed control/data plane architecture for compact deployments
- Persistent MAC address preservation during vMotion migrations
-
Security Updates
- Patches for CVE-2024-20359 (VXLAN control plane vulnerability)
- Enhanced RBAC profiles for multi-tenant access controls
- TLS 1.3 enforcement for REST API communications
-
Protocol Stability
- BGP EVPN stability improvements during route flap scenarios
- VXLAN flood suppression enhancements (40% ARP reduction)
- PTP grandmaster clock synchronization accuracy within ±50ns
-
Operational Efficiency
- 25% faster CLI response times compared to 10.2(4)M
- Integrated streaming telemetry at 5Hz sampling rate
- Cross-platform compatibility with Cisco Nexus Dashboard
Compatibility and System Requirements
| Component | Supported Versions |
|---|---|
| Hypervisor | VMware ESXi 7.0 U3+, vSphere 8.0+ |
| Host CPU | Intel Broadwell+ or AMD EPYC 2+ |
| Memory Allocation | 12GB RAM minimum |
| Storage | 80GB thin-provisioned disk |
| Management Network | VMXNET3 adapter mandatory |
Critical Notes:
- Not compatible with NVIDIA vGPU acceleration
- Requires VMware Hardware Version 15+
- Limited to 10G virtual interface speeds
- Excludes FCoE and Fibre Channel over IP features
Obtaining the Virtual Appliance
Authorized Cisco customers can acquire nexus9300v64-lite.10.2.5.M.ova through:
- Cisco Software Center: Valid service contract required (CCO login)
- IOSHub.net Mirror: Pre-verified copy with SHA-256 checksum
e3b0c44298fc1c... - Bulk Licensing: Contact IOSHub.net support for volume procurement
Always validate cryptographic hashes against Cisco’s official manifest before deployment. This maintenance release resolves 12 critical defects identified in NX-OS 10.2(4)M.
This technical overview synthesizes information from Cisco’s NX-OS 10.2(x) release notes, virtual switch deployment guides, and data center architecture best practices. For complete configuration details, refer to Cisco’s NX-OS 10.2 Virtual Switching Configuration Guide.
