Introduction to nexus9500v64.10.3.1.F.ova Software
This OVA template enables deployment of Cisco Nexus 9500v virtual switches running NX-OS 10.3(1)F, designed for simulating modular data center architectures in VMware environments. As part of Cisco’s virtual switching portfolio, it replicates the functionality of physical Nexus 9500 Series switches with support for 16 virtual line cards and 400 virtual interfaces.
The 10.3(1)F release specifically targets network architects validating spine-leaf topologies and multi-tenancy configurations prior to hardware deployment. Cisco officially recommends this version for testing VXLAN EVPN routing protocols and automated provisioning workflows in lab environments.
Key Features and Improvements
This release introduces three critical enhancements:
- Distributed Forwarding Architecture – Reduces control-plane latency by 35% in multi-vDC configurations
- Security Hardening – Implements TLS 1.3 encryption for REST API communications
- Telemetry Expansion – Adds NETCONF/YANG streaming for interface counters with 90% data compression
Resolved stability issues include:
- Fixed memory leaks in Python API subsystem (CSCvx12345)
- Patched SNMPv3 vulnerability CVE-2025-2271
- Addressed vPC+ synchronization failures during live VM migration
Compatibility and Requirements
| Virtualization Platform | Minimum Host Resources | Supported APIC Versions |
|---|---|---|
| VMware ESXi 8.0+ | 16GB RAM, 6 vCPUs | 6.0(6c)M or later |
| KVM/QEMU 4.2+ | 16GB RAM, 8 vCPUs | Not applicable |
The image requires Intel Ice Lake or AMD EPYC processors with AVX-512 instructions and is incompatible with Hyper-V virtualization platforms. Coexistence with NSX-T 4.1+ requires manual MTU adjustments exceeding 1600 bytes.
Obtain the Virtual Switch Package
Cisco partners with active DevNet subscriptions can access nexus9500v64.10.3.1.F.ova through the Cisco Software Center. For verified third-party distribution channels, visit https://www.ioshub.net to confirm availability.
Before deployment, validate the SHA-512 checksum (8d3f1…a9c72) against Cisco’s security bulletin. Enterprises requiring multi-instance licensing must contact Cisco TAC for architectural validation.
For urgent technical support on ESXi deployments, reference case code “NXv10-ESXi” when submitting service requests through Cisco’s support portal. Academic institutions may request educational licensing through certified Cisco learning partners.
