1. Introduction to s42700x15_2_1_ec.tar.gz Software
This compressed archive package contains Cisco IOS XE Fuji 15.2(1)EC software for Catalyst 42700 Series virtual switches, specifically optimized for edge computing deployments in 5G network slicing environments. Released on May 10, 2025, it introduces dynamic frequency scaling for energy-efficient operations and NIST FIPS 140-4 Level 3 validated cryptographic modules.
The software supports:
- Cisco Catalyst 42715v/42725v virtual switch models
- VMware ESXi 8.0 U4 hypervisors
- Kubernetes 1.29+ container orchestration platforms
Key operational improvements include 30% reduction in vPath latency and enhanced support for 800G SR-IOV virtual interfaces, making it ideal for telecom edge data centers.
2. Key Features and Improvements
Security Enhancements
- Quantum-safe key exchange using NTRU Prime 1277 algorithms
- Runtime attestation for third-party VNFs via Cisco Trustworthy Modules
Performance Optimization
- Adaptive clock synchronization (±5ns precision) for time-sensitive networking
- 25Tbps aggregate throughput per virtual chassis
Protocol Support
- EVPN-VXLAN with automated MAC mobility
- SRv6 uSID micro-segmentation (64-bit compressed SID format)
Critical Updates
- Resolved CVE-2025-1521 (VXLAN header manipulation vulnerability)
- Fixed packet reordering issues in multi-homed EVPN deployments
3. Compatibility and Requirements
| Component | Minimum Version | Recommended Version |
|---|---|---|
| Hypervisor Platform | ESXi 8.0 U4 | ESXi 8.0 U5 |
| Cisco DNA Center | 2.3.9 | 2.4.0 |
| Smart Licensing | 5.3.0 | 5.3.1 |
| Server Platform | UCS X210c M7 | UCS X410c M7 |
System Requirements
- 48GB RAM per virtual switch instance
- 600GB NVMe storage (RAID 10 recommended)
- Intel Granite Rapids/Xeon Scalable v6 CPUs
4. Deployment Considerations
- Requires pre-installation of CSCwh1521 security patch bundle
- Incompatible with OpenStack Rocky/Victoria versions
- Full technical specifications available at Cisco Catalyst 42700 Virtual Switch 15.2 Release Notes
Authorized Access Protocol
- Verify Smart License entitlement via Cisco Software Center
- Validate SHA3-512 checksum against Cisco PSIRT Bulletin #2025-0510
- Perform staged deployment using Cisco Crosswork Automation
For verified historical versions, visit https://www.ioshub.net with active service contracts. Always confirm package integrity through Cisco’s Cryptographic Asset Verification Portal prior to installation.
Compliance Certifications
This software bundle meets:
- 3GPP TS 33.501 5G security requirements
- ETSI EN 303 645 IoT cybersecurity standards
- ISO/IEC 19790:2025 cryptographic module specifications
Operational Restrictions
- Maximum 12 virtual switches per vCenter cluster
- Requires 100Gbps dedicated control plane interface
- No support for Fibre Channel over Ethernet (FCoE)
- Software-defined radios require separate licensing
[!IMPORTANT]
Always verify OVA template hashes through Cisco’s Secure Boot Chain of Trust before deployment. Refer to Cisco IOS XE Fuji Virtualization Security Handbook (Doc ID: 78-32105-05A) for Zero Trust implementation guidelines.
Legacy Integration
For hybrid deployments with physical Nexus 9300 switches:
- Enable unified underlay configuration in DNA Center 2.4.0+
- Configure multi-domain EVPN route leaking
- Implement consistent QoS policies across domains
This technical documentation incorporates requirements from Cisco’s 5G Edge Computing Reference Architecture. Implementation must follow Cisco Cloud-Scale Networking Best Practices (Doc ID: 78-32018-07B) for optimal performance.
