Table of Contents

n1000v_compatibility_521_SV_312.fm

Cisco Nexus 1000V and VMware Compatibility Information, Release 5.2(1)SV3(1.2)

First Published: November 13, 2014

Last Updated: May 5, 2015

This document provides the following compatibility information for the Cisco Nexus 1000V:

- Information About Upgrading and Software Compatibility

- Information About Server Compatibility

- Cisco Nexus 1000V Software Release Compatibility

- Host Software Version Compatibility

- VMware Version Compatibility

- Documentation Feedback

- Related Documentation

- Obtaining Documentation and Submitting a Service Request

Information About Upgrading and Software Compatibility

Important Customer Update

In order to improve customer support for the Cisco Nexus 1000V, Cisco now only updates the support matrix for major and minor releases from VMware. All VMware patch and update releases are automatically supported at the time of their release. VMware guarantees compatibility with all patches and updates, and customers are not required to check the matrix for VMware patch or update support.

Interactive Upgrade Utility Tool

An easy-to-use Cisco Nexus 1000V and VMware ESX/ESXi Upgrade Utility provides you with steps to follow for your specific upgrade. It is available at this URL:

http://www.cisco.com/c/dam/en/us/td/docs/Website/datacenter/nexus1000/upgrade/n1kvmatrix.html .

Note See also Understanding Cisco Nexus 1000V and VMware Software Version Compatibility.

If you are not using VMware Update Manager (VUM), to ensure compatibility with the existing Virtual Supervisor Module (VSM) software version, you can install the compatible Virtual Ethernet Module (VEM) software version by using the following command:

esxcli software vib install -d [path to VEM offline bundle]

Example:

esxcli software vib install -d "/../VEM500-201408170101-BG-release.zip (offline)"

Note The esxupdate command is only available on ESX, not ESXi. The vihostupdate command is available on both ESX and ESXi.

Starting with ESX/ESXi 4.1 GA, and ESXi 5.0, binary compatibility was introduced. With the introduction of binary compatibility, it is no longer necessary to add the Cisco VIB when upgrading from one patch level to another.

With binary compatibility, if you are patching from ESXi500-201207001 to ESXi500-201209001, you run the following command:

esxcli software vib update -d ESXi500-201209001.zip (offline)

Note For more information about installing or upgrading VEM software, see the Cisco Nexus 1000V Installation and Upgrade Guide, Release 5.2(1)SV3(1.2).

Information About Server Compatibility

The servers running the Cisco Nexus 1000V VSM and VEM must be in the VMware Hardware Compatibility List (HCL) .

The Cisco Nexus 1000V is compatible with any upstream physical access layer switch that is Ethernet-standard compliant, including Catalyst 6500 series switches, Cisco Nexus switches, and switches from other network vendors.

Cisco Nexus 1000V Software Release Compatibility

Note • Do not install VMware vSphere 5.5 Patch 2702864 with Cisco Nexus 1000V. The VMware vSphere 5.5 Patch 2702864 is not supported on Cisco Nexus 1000V.

- Cisco Nexus 1000V Release 5.2(1)SV3(1.2) does not support VMware ESX/ESXi 4.1, 4.0, or any earlier ESX/ESXi releases.

Table 1 shows the software compatibility for Cisco Nexus 1000V Release 5.2(1)SV3(1.2) and VMware releases.

Table 1 VMware and Cisco Nexus 1000V Software Compatibility for Release 5.2(1)SV3(1.2)

VMware Software Release Supported

Cisco Nexus 1000V Release 1

5.2(1)SV3(1.2)

ESXi 5.5 and later2

Note Upgrade the ESX host to ESXi 5.5 update 1 and later before upgrading to Cisco Nexus 1000V 5.2(1)SV3(1.2).

Compatible

ESXi 5.1 and later

Note Upgrade the ESX host to ESXi 5.1 update 2 and later before upgrading to Cisco Nexus 1000V 5.2(1)SV3(1.2).

Compatible

ESXi 5.0 and later

Note Upgrade the ESX host to ESXi 5.0 update 3 and later before upgrading to Cisco Nexus 1000V 5.2(1)SV3(1.2).

Compatible

ESX/ESXi 4.1 and later

Unsupported

ESX/ESXi 4.0 and later

Unsupported

ESX/ESXi 3.5 and later

Unsupported

1.The Cisco Nexus 1000V VIB is available in the VSM home page: http://<vsm_ip>.

2.Do not install VMware vSphere 5.5 Patch 2702864 with Cisco Nexus 1000V. The VMware vSphere 5.5 Patch 2702864 is not supported on Cisco Nexus 1000V.

Important Customer Update

In order to improve customer support for the Cisco Nexus 1000V, Cisco now only updates the support matrix for major and minor releases from VMware. All VMware patch and update releases are automatically supported at the time of their release. VMware guarantees compatibility with all patches and updates, and customers are not required to check the matrix for VMware patch or update support.

Host Software Version Compatibility

Table 2 lists the compatible host software versions for VMware ESXi 5.5, ESXi 5.1, ESXi 5.0 and the Cisco Nexus 1000V VEM for Release 5.2(1)SV3(1.2).

Note • Do not install VMware vSphere 5.5 Patch 2702864 with Cisco Nexus 1000V. The VMware vSphere 5.5 Patch 2702864 is not supported on Cisco Nexus 1000V.

- If you are upgrading VEMs using a Cisco Nexus 1000V software bundle, see Information About Upgrading and Software Compatibility.

Table 2 Host Software Version Compatibility for ESXi 5.5, 5.1, and 5.0

VIB Version

(VIB files are available at http://www.vmware.com/patch/download .)

VEM Bundle

(VMware bundled software updates require placing the host in maintenance mode.)

Minimum Supported Version

Windows VC Installer

Linux vCenter Server Appliance

vSphere CLI

Power Shell CLI

VMware software version: ESXi 5.5 (includes patches and updates) 3

cross_cisco-vem-v171-5.2.1.3.1.2.0-3.2.1.vib

VEM550-201411171111-BG-release.zip (Offline)

VEM550-201411171111-BG (Online)

5.5

5.5

5.5

5.5

VMware software version: ESXi 5.1 (includes patches and updates)

cross_cisco-vem-v171-5.2.1.3.1.2.0-3.1.1.vib

VEM510-201411171106-BG-release.zip(Offline)

VEM510-201411171106-BG(Online)

5.1

5.1

5.1

5.1

VMware software version: ESXi 5.0 (includes patches and updates)

cross_cisco-vem-v171-5.2.1.3.1.2.0-3.0.1.vib

VEM500-201411171101-BG-release.zip (Offline)

VEM500-201411171101-BG (Online)

5.0

5.0

5.0

5.0

3.Do not install VMware vSphere 5.5 Patch 2702864 with Cisco Nexus 1000V. The VMware vSphere 5.5 Patch 2702864 is not supported on Cisco Nexus 1000V.

VMware Version Compatibility

Important Customer Update

In order to improve customer support for the Cisco Nexus 1000V, Cisco now only updates the support matrix for major and minor releases from VMware. All VMware patch and update releases are automatically supported at the time of their release. VMware guarantees compatibility with all patches and updates, and customers are not required to check the matrix for VMware patch or update support.

Table 3 lists the vShield Manager/VCNS compatibility version for the Cisco Nexus 1000V.

Table 3 vShield Manager/VCNS Version Compatibility for Cisco Nexus 1000V

VMware Software Version

Cisco Nexus 1000V Version

5.2(1)SV3(1.2)

VCNS 5.5

Compatible

VCNS 5.1

Compatible

VCNS 5.1.3 upgrade is not supported. However, VCNS 5.1.3 fresh install using an ova package is supported. See the KB article –KB 2073502.

vShield Manager 5.0.2

Compatible

Table 4 lists the vCloud Director Version Compatibility for the Cisco Nexus 1000V.

Table 4 vCloud Director Version Compatibility for Cisco Nexus 1000V

VMware Software Version

Cisco Nexus 1000V Version

5.2(1)SV3(1.2)

vCD 5.5

Compatible

vCD 5.1

Compatible

vCD 1.5.2

Compatible

Note Cisco Nexus 1000V Release 5.2(1)SV3(1.2) does not support any earlier versions of the VMware components listed in the preceding table.

Note For vCloud Director and VCNS compatibility, see VMware Product Interoperability Matrixes.

Table 5 lists the supported network pool in vCD with the Cisco Nexus 1000V.

Table 5 Supported Network Pool in vCloud Director with Cisco Nexus 1000V

Network Pool in vCD

Description

Cisco Nexus 1000V Version

5.2(1)SV3(1.2)

5.2(1)SV3(1.1)

4.2(1)SV2(2.2)

4.2(1)SV2(2.1a)

4.2(1)SV2(2.1)

VMware software version: vCD 1.5.1 and vShield Manager 5.0.1

Port Group Backed

Export group is a network

Supported

Supported

Supported

Supported

Supported

VLAN Backed

Can specify a range of VLANs in a vCD

Supported

Supported

Supported

Supported

Supported

Network Isolation Backed

Cisco Nexus 1000V uses VXLAN for isolation-backed networks

Supported

Supported

Supported

Supported

Supported

VMware software version: vCD 5.1 and vShield Manager 5.1

Port Group Backed

Export group is a network

Supported

Supported

Supported

Supported

Supported

VLAN Backed

Can specify a range of VLANs in a vCD

Supported

Supported

Supported

Supported

Supported

Network Isolation Backed

VMware uses VCNI for isolation-backed networks

Not supported

Not supported

Not supported

Not supported

Not supported

VXLAN

Cisco Nexus 1000V uses VXLAN for isolation-backed networks

Supported

Supported

Supported

Supported

Supported

VMware software version: vCD 5.5 and vShield Manager 5.5

Port Group Backed

Export group is a network

Supported

Supported

Supported

Supported

Supported

VLAN Backed

Can specify a range of VLANs in a vCD

Supported

Supported

Supported

Supported

Supported

Network Isolation Backed

VMware uses VCNI for isolation-backed networks

Not supported

Not supported

Not supported

Not supported

Not supported

VXLAN

Cisco Nexus 1000V uses VXLAN for isolation-backed networks

Supported

Supported

Supported

Supported

Supported

Documentation Feedback

To provide technical feedback on this document or report an error or omission, please send your comments to:

nexus1k-docfeedback@cisco.com

We appreciate your feedback.

Related Documentation

This section lists the documents used with the Cisco Nexus 1000 and available at the following URL:

Cisco Nexus 1000V for VMware vSphere Documentation

General Information

Cisco Nexus 1000V Documentation Roadmap

Cisco Nexus 1000V Release Notes

Install and Upgrade

Cisco Nexus 1000V Installation and Upgrade Guide

Configuration Guides

Cisco Nexus 1000V Multi-Hypervisor License Configuration Guide

Cisco Nexus 1000V for VMware vSphere Dynamic Fabric Automation Configuration Guide

Cisco Nexus 1000V for VMware vSphere High Availability and Redundancy Configuration Guide

Cisco Nexus 1000V for VMware vSphere Interface Configuration Guide

Cisco Nexus 1000V for VMware vSphere Layer 2 Switching Configuration Guide

Cisco Nexus 1000V for VMware vSphere Network Segmentation Manager Configuration Guide

Cisco Nexus 1000V for VMware vSphere Port Profile Configuration Guide

Cisco Nexus 1000V for VMware vSphere Quality of Service Configuration Guide

Cisco Nexus 1000V for VMware vSphere REST API Plug-in Configuration Guide

Cisco Nexus 1000V for VMware vSphere Security Configuration Guide

Cisco Nexus 1000V for VMware vSphere System Management Configuration Guide

Cisco Nexus 1000V for VMware vSphere VDP Configuration Guide

Cisco Nexus 1000V for VMware vSphere VXLAN Configuration Guide

Cisco Nexus 1000V XML API Configuration Guide

Reference Guides

Cisco Nexus 1000V Command Reference

Cisco Nexus 1000V Resource Availability Reference

Troubleshooting Guides

Cisco Nexus 1000V Troubleshooting Guide

Cisco Application Virtual Switch

Cisco Application Virtual Switch Documentation

Cisco ASA 1000V Cloud Firewall

Cisco ASA 1000V Cloud Firewall Documentation

Cisco Cloud Services Platform

Cisco Cloud Services Platform Documentation

Cisco Prime Network Services Controller

Cisco Prime Network Services Controller Documentation

Cisco Virtual Application Container Services

Cisco Virtual Application Container Services Documentation

Cisco Virtual Network Management Center

Cisco Virtual Network Management Center Documentation

Cisco Virtual Security Gateway

Cisco Virtual Security Gateway Documentation

Obtaining Documentation and Submitting a Service Request

For information on obtaining documentation, using the Cisco Bug Search Tool (BST), submitting a service request, and gathering additional information, see What’s New in Cisco Product Documentation at: http://www.cisco.com/en/US/docs/general/whatsnew/whatsnew.html .

Subscribe to What’s New in Cisco Product Documentation, which lists all new and revised Cisco technical documentation, as an RSS feed and deliver content directly to your desktop using a reader application. The RSS feeds are a free service.

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Internet Protocol (IP) addresses used in this document are for illustration only. Examples, command display output, and figures are for illustration only. If an actual IP address appears in this document, it is coincidental.

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