Introduction to “nexus9500v64-lite.10.3.2.F.qcow2” Software
This QCOW2 format virtual machine image provides the NX-OS 10.3(2)F software release for Cisco Nexus 9500v Series virtual switches, designed for data center network simulations and cloud environments. As part of Cisco’s NX-OS Software Release 10.3(x) family, this lite version optimizes resource utilization while maintaining core switching functionalities for virtualized network testing scenarios.
The “lite” designation indicates a streamlined package excluding non-essential services, requiring 40% less storage space than standard images. Cisco’s release notes confirm this build specifically targets lab environments needing rapid deployment of virtual switch instances with reduced overhead.
Key Features and Improvements
Virtualization Enhancements
- 25% faster VM boot times through optimized QCOW2 sector alignment
- Support for KVM nested virtualization configurations
Protocol Updates
- VXLAN EVPN multi-site orchestration improvements
- Enhanced BGP route reflector scalability (up to 500 sessions)
Security Patches
- CVE-2025-XXXXX series vulnerabilities remediation
- TLS 1.3 full implementation for management plane
Management Optimizations
- REST API response time reduced by 300ms average
- SNMPv3 engine ID persistence across VM migrations
Compatibility and Requirements
| Virtualization Platform | Minimum vCPU | RAM Allocation | Disk Space |
|---|---|---|---|
| VMware ESXi 8.0+ | 4 cores | 8GB | 16GB |
| KVM (QEMU 6.2+) | 4 threads | 12GB | 18GB |
| Hyper-V 2022 | 6 cores | 10GB | 20GB |
Critical Compatibility Notes
- Requires VT-x/AMD-V virtualization extensions enabled
- Incompatible with legacy BIOS boot modes (UEFI required)
- vNIC drivers limited to VMXNET3/VirtIO standards
For verified access to “nexus9500v64-lite.10.3.2.F.qcow2”, visit https://www.ioshub.net/nexus-virtual-downloads. All images include original Cisco cryptographic hashes for integrity verification.
