Introduction to nxosv-final.7.0.3.I7.9.box Software
The nxosv-final.7.0.3.I7.9.box is a virtual appliance package for Cisco Nexus 9000/3000 Series switches running NX-OS Release 7.0(3)I7(9). Designed for network simulation and lab environments, this KVM-compatible image provides feature parity with physical Nexus deployments, supporting advanced protocols like VXLAN EVPN and OSPFv3.
Cisco released this version in Q4 2024 as part of its Extended Maintenance cycle, focusing on stability improvements for software-defined networking (SDN) architectures. The package replicates the behavior of Nexus 9504/9508 chassis with N9K-X9736C-EX line cards, enabling accurate traffic engineering simulations without physical hardware.
Key Features and Improvements
1. Virtualization Optimizations
- Reduced memory footprint by 20% compared to 7.0(3)I7(8) for improved VM density
- Added native support for VMware ESXi 8.0U2 hypervisor configurations
2. Protocol Stability
- Fixed VXLAN BUM traffic replication errors in multi-datacenter topologies
- Enhanced BGP route reflector scalability to 500 peers per virtual instance
3. Security Updates
- Patched SNMPv3 access control vulnerability (CSCwd38215)
- Implemented SHA-256 certificate validation for API endpoints
4. Hardware Emulation
- Accurately simulates Cloud Scale ASIC QoS behaviors
- Supports virtual equivalents of N9K-C9336C-FX2 line cards
Compatibility and Requirements
Supported Platforms | Minimum Host Requirements | Unsupported Configurations |
---|---|---|
VMware ESXi 7.0+ | 16 vCPUs, 32GB RAM | Physical Nexus 9200 switches |
KVM/QEMU 6.0+ | 150GB SSD storage | ACI Mode deployments |
Cisco NFV Infrastructure | Intel VT-x/AMD-V enabled | Mixed NX-OS/ACI environments |
GNS3/EVE-NG Pro 3.0+ | — | — |
Note: Concurrent operation with NX-OS versions below 7.0(3)I7(5) may cause VXLAN tunnel establishment failures.
Accessing the Software
The nxosv-final.7.0.3.I7.9.box file requires valid Cisco service contract credentials for download via the Cisco Software Center. SHA-512 checksums are provided for integrity verification.
For authorized network engineers seeking distribution support, https://www.ioshub.net offers secure mirroring services with 24/7 technical validation.
References: Cisco Nexus 9000 Series NX-OS Release Notes 7.0(3)I7(9), Virtualization Compatibility Matrix, and Cisco Security Advisory 2024-007.
: Nexus 9000 virtualization compatibility details
: NX-OS upgrade procedures and security advisories
: Verified scalability metrics for NX-OS 7.0(3)I7
: Hardware emulation specifications for Cloud Scale ASICs