Cisco Nexus 1000V and VMware Compatibility Information, Release 4.0(4) SV1(3a)

Table Of Contents

Cisco Nexus 1000V and VMware Compatibility Information, Release 4.0(4) SV1(3a)

Information About Software Compatibility

Information About Upgrading and Software Compatibility

Information About Server Compatibility

Cisco Nexus 1000V Software Release Compatibility

Host Software Version Compatibility

Identifying the Build Number on Your Host Server

Identifying the Build Number for an ESX

Identifying the Build Number for an ESXi

Related Documentation

Obtaining Documentation and Submitting a Service Request

Cisco Nexus 1000V and VMware Compatibility Information, Release 4.0(4) SV1(3a)

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Published: November 27, 2012 
OL-23097-01

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

•Information About Software Compatibility

•Cisco Nexus 1000V Software Release Compatibility

•Host Software Version Compatibility

•Identifying the Build Number on Your Host Server

•Related Documentation

•Obtaining Documentation and Submitting a Service Request, page 9

Information About Software Compatibility

This section includes the following topics:

•Information About Upgrading and Software Compatibility

•Information About Server Compatibility

Information About Upgrading and Software Compatibility

If you are not using VUM, to ensure compatibility with the existing VEM software version, you can update both the VEM and VMware software at the same time as follows:

•From the ESX CLI:
esxupdate --bundle=[name of updated VEM offline bundle] --bundle =[name of VMware offline update bundle] update

Example:

esxupdate -bundle VEM-4.0.0-update02-v120.zip --bundle 
upgrade-from-esx4.0-4.0_update02.zip update

•From the VI Host Update Utility:
/vihostupdate --install --bundle "[path to VMware Update offline bundle]","[path to updated VEM offline bundle]" --server[vsphere host IP address]

Example:

/vihostupdate --install --bundle 
"/../upgrade-from-esx4.0-4.0_update02.zip","/../VEM-4.0.0-update02-v120.zip" 
-server192.168.1.101

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

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Starting with ESX/ESXi 4.0.0 Update 2 and ESX/ESXi 4.1.0 GA, 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.

For example, if you are patching from ESX/ESXi400-201003001 to ESX/ESXi400-201005001 you run the following command:

esxupdate --bundle ESX400-201005001.zip --bundle VEM400-201010405-BG.zip update

With binary compatibility, if you are patching from ESX/ESXi410-20101001 to ESX/ESXi410-201011001, you run the following command:

esxupdate --bundle ESX410-201011001.zip update

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Note For more information about installing or upgrading VEM software, see the Cisco Nexus 1000V Virtual Ethernet Module Software Installation Guide, Release 4.0(4)SV1(3a).

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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

Table 1 shows the Cisco Nexus 1000V releases that are supported by VMware release.

Table 1 VMware and Cisco Nexus 1000V Software Compatibility 

VMware Software Release Supported		Cisco Nexus 1000V Release Name
		4.0(4)SV1(3a)	4.0(4)SV1(3)	4.0(4)SV1(2)	4.0(4)SV1(1)
ESX/ESXi 4.1.0 Update 3	update-from-esx/esxi4.1-4.1_update03	Compatible	Compatible	Not Compatible	Not Compatible
ESX/ESXi 4.1.0 EP3	ESX/ESXi410-201206001	Compatible	Compatible	Not Compatible	Not Compatible
ESX/ESXi 4.1.0 EP2-1	ESX/ESXi410-201205001	Compatible	Compatible	Not Compatible	Not Compatible
ESX/ESXi 4.1.0 P05	ESX/ESXi410-201204001	Compatible	Compatible	Not Compatible	Not Compatible
ESX/ ESXi 4.1.0 P04	ESX/ESXi 410-201201001.zip	Compatible	Compatible	Not Compatible	Not Compatible
ESX 4.1.0 EP2	ESX410-201112001-BG	Compatible	Compatible	Not Compatible	Not Compatible
ESX/ESXi 4.1.0 Update 2	update-from-esx/esxi4.1-4.1_update02	Compatible	Compatible	Not Compatible	Not Compatible
ESX/ESXi 4.1.0 P03	ESX/ESXi 410-201107401-SG	Compatible	Compatible	Not Compatible	Not Compatible
ESX/ESXi 4.1.0 P02	ESX/ESXi410-201104401-SG	Compatible	Compatible	Not Compatible	Not Compatible
ESX/ESXi 4.1.0 Update 1	ESX/ESXi410-201101201-SG	Compatible	Compatible	Not Compatible	Not Compatible
ESX/ESXi 4.1.0 EP1	ESX/ESXi410-201011401-BG	Compatible	Compatible	Not Compatible	Not Compatible
ESX/ESXi 4.1.0 P01	ESX/ESXi410-201010401-SG	Compatible	Compatible	Not Compatible	Not Compatible
ESX/ESXi 4.1.0 GA		Compatible	Compatible	Not Compatible	Not Compatible
ESX/ESXi 4.0.0 P-12	ESX/ESXi400-201209001	Compatible	Compatible	Compatible	Not Compatible
ESX/ESXi 4.0.0 EP-8	ESX/ESXi400-201206001	Compatible	Compatible	Compatible	Not Compatible
ESX/ESXi400-EP-7	ESX/ESXi400-201205001	Compatible	Compatible	Compatible	Not Compatible
ESX/ESXi 4.0.0 P11	ESX/ESXi400-201203001	Compatible	Compatible	Compatible	Not Compatible
ESX/ESXi 4.0.0 Update 4	update-from-esx/esxi4.0-4.0_update4	Compatible	Compatible	Compatible	Not Compatible
ESX/ESXi 4.0.0 Update 3	ESX/ESXi upgrade from esx4.0-u1/u2 to u3	Compatible	Compatible	Compatible	Not Compatible
ESX/ESXi 4.0.0 EP05	ESX/ESXi400-201104401-SG	Compatible	Compatible	Compatible	Not Compatible
ESX/ESXi 4.0.0 P10	ESX/ESXi400-201110401	Compatible	Compatible	Compatible	Not Compatible
ESX/ESXi 4.0.0 P09	ESX/ESXi400-201103401	Compatible	Compatible	Compatible	Not Compatible
ESX/ESXi 4.0.0 P08	ESX/ESXi400-201101401	Compatible	Compatible	Compatible	Not Compatible
ESX/ESXi 4.0.0 P07	ESX/ESXi400-201009401	Compatible1	Compatible	Compatible	Not Compatible
ESX/ESXi 4.0.0 Update 2	ESX/ESXi400-201006021	Compatible1	Compatible	Compatible	Not Compatible
ESX/ESXi 4.0.0 P06	ESX/ESXi400-201005401-SG	Compatible1	Compatible	Compatible	Compatible
ESX/ESXi 4.0.0 P05	ESX400/ESXi400-201003001	Compatible1	Compatible1	Compatible	Compatible
ESX/ESXi 4.0.0 P04	ESX400/ESXi400-201002001	Compatible1	Compatible1	Compatible	Compatible
ESX/ESXi 4.0.0 P03	ESX400/ESXi400-200912001	Compatible1	Compatible1	Compatible	Compatible
ESX/ESXi 4.0.0 Update 1	ESX/ESXi400-VEM-200909001	Compatible1	Compatible1	Compatible1	Compatible
ESX/ESXi 4.0.0 P02	ESX/ESXi400-VEM-200907001	Compatible1	Compatible1	Compatible1	Compatible
ESX/ESXi 4.0.0 EP01	ESXi400-VEM-200906001	Compatible1	Compatible1	Compatible1	Compatible
ESX/ESXi 4.0.0 P01	ESXi400-VEM-200906001	Compatible1	Compatible1	Compatible1	Compatible
ESX/ESXi 4.0.0 GA		Compatible1	Compatible1	Compatible1	Compatible1

1 Cisco Nexus 1000V VIB is available in the VSM depot.

Host Software Version Compatibility

Table 2 lists the compatible host software versions for VMware ESX/ESXi 4.1.0 and the Cisco Nexus 1000V VEM for Release 4.0(4)SV1(3a).

Table 3 lists the compatible host software versions for VMware ESX/ESXi 4.0.0 and the Cisco Nexus 1000V VEM for Release 4.0(4)SV1(3a).

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

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Table 2 Host Software Version Compatibility for ESX/ESXi 4.1.0 

VMware Software Version	Host Build 1	VIB Version 2	VEM Bundle 3	Minimum Required Version
				vCenter Server	Update Manager	vSphere CLI
ESX/ESXi 4.1.0 Update 3 update-from-esx/esxi4.1-4.1_update03	800380	cross_cisco-vem-v121-4.0.4.1.3.1.0-2.0.3.vib	VEM410-201007311-BG(Online) VEM410-201007311.zip(Offline)	799345	816769	254719
ESX/ESXi 4.1.0 EP3 ESX/ESXi410-201206001.zip	721871	cross_cisco-vem-v121-4.0.4.1.3.1.0-2.0.3.vib	VEM410-201010112-BG(Online) VEM410-201010411.zip(Offline)	491557	493048	254719
ESX/ESXi 4.1.0 EP2-1 ESX/ESXi410-201205001.zip	702113	cross_cisco-vem-v121-4.0.4.1.3.1.0-2.0.3.vib	VEM410-201007311-BG(Online) VEM410-201007311.zip(Offline)	491557	493048	254719
ESX/ESXi 4.1.0 P05 ESX/ESXi410-201204001.zip	659051	cross_cisco-vem-v121-4.0.4.1.3.1.0-2.0.3.vib	VEM410-201007311-BG(Online) VEM410-201007311.zip(Offline)	491557	493048	254719
ESX/ ESXi 4.1.0 P04 ESX/ESXi 410-201201001.zip	582267	cross_cisco-vem-v121-4.0.4.1.3.1.0-2.0.3.vib	VEM410-201007311-BG(Online) VEM410-201007311.zip(Offline)	491557	493048	254719
ESX 4.1.0 EP2 ESX410-201112001-BG	538358	cross_cisco-vem_v121-4.0.4.1.3.4.0-2.0.2.vib	VEM410-201007311-BG (Online and Offline)	258902	256596	254719
ESX/ESXi 4.1.0 Update 2 update-from-esx/esxi4.1-4.1_update02	502767	cross_cisco-vem-v121-4.0.4.1.3.1.0-2.0.3.vib	VEM410-201007311-BG(Online) VEM410-201007311.zip(Offline)	491557	493048	254719
ESX/ESXi 4.1.0 P03 ESX/ESXi 410-201107401-SG	433742	cross_cisco-vem_v121-4.0.4.1.3.1.0-2.0.3.vib	VEM410-201007311-BG (Online and Offline)	345043	341095	254719
ESX/ESXi 4.1.0 P02 ESX/ESXi410-201104401-SG	381591	cross_cisco-vem_v121-4.0.4.1.3.1.0-2.0.3.vib	VEM410-201007311-BG (Online and Offline)	345043	341095	254719
ESX/ESXi 4.1.0 Update 1 ESX/ESXi410-201101201-SG	348481	cross_cisco-vem_v121-4.0.4.1.3.1.0-2.0.3.vib	VEM410-201007311-BG (Online and Offline)	345043	341095	254719
ESX/ESXi 4.1.0 EP1 ESX/ESXi 410-201011401-BG	320092 320137	cross_cisco-vem_v121-4.0.4.1.3.1.0-2.0.3.vib	VEM410-201007311-BG (Online and Offline)	258902	256596	254719
ESX/ESXi 4.1.0 P01 ESX/ESXi410-201010401	320092	cross_cisco-vem_v121-4.0.4.1.3.1.0-2.0.3.vib	VEM410-201007311-BG (Online and Offline)	258902	256596	254719
ESX/ESXi 4.1.0 GA	260247	cross_cisco-vem_v121-4.0.4.1.3.1.0-2.0.3.vib	VEM410-201007311-BG (Online and Offline)	258902	256596	254719

1 After installing VMware patches, verify the ESX software build number on the ESX server console. For more information, see the "Identifying the Build Number on Your Host Server" section 2 VIB files are available at http://www.vmware.com/patch/download. 3 VMware bundled software updates require placing the host in maintenance mode.

Table 3 Host Software Version Compatibility for ESX/ESXi 4.0.0 

VMware Software Version	Host Build 1	VIB Version 2	VEM Bundle 3	Minimum Required Version
				vCenter Server	Update Manager	vSphere CLI
ESX/ESXi400-P-12 ESX/ESXi400-201209001.zip	787047	cross_cisco-vem_v120-4.0.4.1.3.1.0-1.20.2.vib	VEM400-201007156-BG(Online) VEM400-201007310.zip(Offline)	496403	502336	253290
				385281	387643	253290
				258672	264019	253290
				208111	282702	253290
ESX/ESXi400-EP-8 ESX/ESXi400-201206001.zip	721907	cross_cisco-vem_v121-4.0.4.1.3.1.0-1.20.2.vib	VEM400-201007156-BG (Online) VEM400-201007310-BG(Offline)	496403	502336	253290
				385281	387643	253290
				258672	264019	253290
				208111	282702	253290
ESX/ESXi400-EP-7 ESX/ESXi400-201205001.zip	702116	cross_cisco-vem_v121-4.0.4.1.3.1.0-1.20.2.vib	VEM400-201007156-BG (Online) VEM400-201007310-BG (Offline)	496403	502336	253290
				385281	387643	253290
				258672	264019	253290
				208111	282702	253290
ESX/ESXi 4.0.0 P11 ESX/ESXi400-201203001	660575	cross_cisco-vem_v121-4.0.4.1.3.1.0-1.20.2.vib	VEM400-201007156-BG (Online) VEM400-201007310-BG (Offline)	258672	264019	253290
				208111	282702	253290
ESX/ESXi 4.0.0 Update 4 update-from-esx/esxi4.0-4.0_update4	504850	cross_cisco-vem_v121-4.0.4.1.3.1.0-1.20.2.vib	VEM400-201007156-BG (Online) VEM400-201007310-BG (Offline)	496403	502336	253290
				385281	387643	253290
				258672	264019	253290
				208111	282702	253290
ESX/ESXi 4.0.0 Update 3 ESX/ESXi upgrade from esx4.0-u1/u2 to u3	398348	cross_cisco-vem_v121-4.0.4.1.3.1.0-1.20.2.vib	VEM400-201007156-BG (Online) VEM400-201007310-BG (Offline)	385281	3876434	253290
				2586724	2640194	253290
				208111	282702	253290
ESX/ESXi 4.0.0 EP05 ESX/ESXi400-201104401-SG	392990	cross_cisco-vem_v121-4.0.4.1.3.1.0-1.20.2.vib	VEM400-201007156-BG (Online) VEM400-201007310-BG (Offline)	2586724	2640194	253290
				208111	282702	253290
ESX/ESXi 4.0.0 P10 ESX/ESXi400-201110401	480973	cross_cisco-vem_v121-4.0.4.1.3.1.0-1.20.2.vib	VEM400-201007156-BG (Online) VEM400-201007310-BG (Offline)	2586724	2640194	253290
				208111	282702	253290
ESX/ESXi 4.0.0 P09 ESX/ESXi400-201103401	360236	cross_cisco-vem_v121-4.0.4.1.3.1.0-1.20.2.vib	VEM400-201007156-BG (Online) VEM400-201007310-BG (Offline)	2586724	2640194	253290
				208111	282702	253290
ESX/ESXi 4.0.0 P08 ESX/ESXi400-201101401	332073	cross_cisco-vem_v121-4.0.4.1.3.1.0-1.20.2.vib	VEM400-201007156-BG (Online) VEM400-201007310-BG (Offline)	2586724	2640194	253290
				208111	282702	253290
ESX/ESXi 4.0.0 P07 ESX/ESXi400-201009401	294855	cross_cisco-vem_v121-4.0.4.1.3.1.0-1.20.2.vib	VEM400-201007156-BG (Online) VEM400-201007310-BG (Offline)	2586724	2640194	253290
				208111	282702	253290
ESX/ESXi 4.0.0 Update 2 ESX/ESXi 400-201006201	261974	cross_cisco-vem_v121-4.0.4.1.3.1.0-1.20.2.vib	VEM400-201007156-BG (Online) VEM400-201007310-BG (Offline)	2586724	2640194	253290
				208111	282702	253290
ESX/ESXi 4.0.0 P06 ESX/ESXi400-201005401-SG	256968	cross_cisco-vem_v121-4.0.4.1.3.1.0-1.13.2.vib	VEM400-201007146-BG (Online) VEM400-201007309-BG (Offline)	208111	282702	198790
ESX/ESXi 4.0.0 P05 ESX400/ESXi400-201003001	244038	cross_cisco-vem_v121-4.0.4.1.3.1.0-1.12.2.vib	VEM400-201007137-BG (Online) VEM400-201007308-BG (Offine)	208111	282702	198790
ESX/ESXi 4.0.0 P04 ESX400/ESXi400-201002001	236512	cross_cisco-vem_v121-4.0.4.1.3.0.0-1.11.2.vib	VEM400-201007129-BG (Online) VEM400-201007307-BG (Offline)	208111	282702	198790
ESX/ESXi 4.0.0 P03 ESX400/ESXi400-200912001	219382	cross_cisco-vem_v121-4.0.4.1.3.0.0-1.10.2.vib	VEM400-201007122-BG (Online) VEM400-201007306-BG (Offline)	208111	282702	198790
ESX/ESXi 4.0.0 Update 1 ESX/ESXi4.0.0-update01	208167	cross_cisco-vem_v121-4.0.4.1.3.1.0-1.9.2.vib	VEM400-201007116-BG (Online) VEM400-201007305-BG (Offline)	208111	282702	198790
ESX/ESXi 4.0.0 P02 ESX/ESXi400-VEM-200909001	193498	cross_cisco-vem_v121-4.0.4.1.3.1.0-0.7.2.vib	VEM400-201007111-BG (Online) VEM400-201007304-BG (Offline)	162856	162871	161974
ESX/ESXi 4.0.0 EP01 ESX/ESXi400-VEM-200907001	181792	cross_cisco-vem_v121-4.0.4.1.3.1.0-0.6.2.vib	VEM400-201007107-BG (Online) VEM400-201007303-BG (Offline)	162856	162871	161974
ESX/ESXi 4.0.0 P01 ESX/ESXi400-VEM-200906001	175625	cross_cisco-vem_v121-4.0.4.1.3.1.0-0.5.2.vib	VEM400-201007104-BG (Online) VEM400-201007302-BG (Offline)	162856	162871	161974
ESX/ESXi 4.0.0 GA	164009 171294	cross_cisco-vem_v121-4.0.4.1.3.0.0-0.4.2.vib	VEM400-201007102-BG (Online) VEM400-201007301-BG (Offline)	162856	162871	161974

1 After installing VMware patches, verify the ESX software build number on the ESX server console. For more information, see the "Identifying the Build Number on Your Host Server" section 2 VIB files are available at http://www.vmware.com/patch/download. 3 VMware bundled software updates require placing the host in maintenance mode. 4 If you upgrade/install your vCenter Server to Update 2 VC and VUM (build# 258672, 264019), then you do not need the VUM U1 Patch2 (build# 282702). Previous Update 2 VUM version 256163 is fully supported as is 264019.

Identifying the Build Number on Your Host Server

This section includes the following procedures:

•"Identifying the Build Number for an ESX" procedure

•"Identifying the Build Number for an ESXi" procedure

Identifying the Build Number for an ESX

To obtain the ESX build number corresponding to your VMware software release, enter the following command at the shell prompt:

rpm -qa | grep vmkernel | awk -F. '{print $5}'

Example:

[root@hostname ~] # rpm -qa | grep vmkernel | awk -F. '{print $5}'

236512

Identifying the Build Number for an ESXi

To obtain the ESXi build number corresponding to your VMware software release, enter the following command at the shell prompt:

vmware -v

Example:

~ # vmware -v

VMware ESXi 4.0.0 build-236512

Related Documentation

The following documents are used with the Cisco Nexus 1000 and are available on Cisco.com at the following url:

http://www.cisco.com/en/US/products/ps9902/tsd_products_support_series_home.html

General Information

Cisco Nexus 1000V Release Notes, Release 4.0(4)SV1(3a)

Cisco Nexus 1000V Compatibility Information, Release 4.0(4)SV1(3a)

Cisco Nexus 1010 Management Software Release Notes, Release 4.0(4)SP1(1)

Install and Upgrade

Cisco Nexus 1000V Virtual Supervisor Module Software Installation Guide, Release 4.0(4)SV1(3a)

Cisco Nexus 1000V Software Upgrade Guide, Release 4.0(4)SV1(3a)

Cisco Nexus 1000V Virtual Ethernet Module Software Installation Guide, Release 4.0(4)SV1(3a)

Cisco Nexus 1010 Virtual Services Appliance Installation Guide

Configuration Guides

Cisco Nexus 1000V License Configuration Guide, Release 4.0(4)SV1(3)

Cisco Nexus 1000V Getting Started Guide, Release 4.0(4)SV1(3)

Cisco Nexus 1000V High Availability and Redundancy Configuration Guide, Release 4.0(4)SV1(3)

Cisco Nexus 1000V Interface Configuration Guide, Release 4.0(4)SV1(3)

Cisco Nexus 1000V Layer 2 Switching Configuration Guide, Release 4.0(4)SV1(3)

Cisco Nexus 1000V Port Profile Configuration Guide, Release 4.0(4)SV1(3)

Cisco Nexus 1000V Quality of Service Configuration Guide, Release 4.0(4)SV1(3)

Cisco Nexus 1000V Security Configuration Guide, Release 4.0(4)SV1(3)

Cisco Nexus 1000V System Management Configuration Guide, Release 4.0(4)SV1(3)

Cisco Nexus 1010 Software Configuration Guide, Release 4.0(4)SP1(1)

Programming Guide

Cisco Nexus 1000V XML API User Guide, Release 4.0(4)SV1(3)

Reference Guides

Cisco Nexus 1000V Command Reference, Release 4.0(4)SV1(3)

Cisco Nexus 1000V MIB Quick Reference

Cisco Nexus 1010 Command Reference, Release 4.0(4)SP1(1)

Troubleshooting and Alerts

Cisco Nexus 1000V Troubleshooting Guide, Release 4.0(4)SV1(3a)

Cisco Nexus 1000V Password Recovery Guide

Cisco NX-OS System Messages Reference

Network Analysis Module Documentation

Cisco Network Analysis Module Software Documentation Guide, 4.2

Cisco Nexus 1000V NAM Virtual Service Blade Installation and Configuration Guide

Network Analysis Module Command Reference Guide, 4.2

User Guide for the Cisco Network Analysis Module Virtual Service Blades, 4.2

Cisco Network Analysis Module Software Release Notes, 4.2

Obtaining Documentation and Submitting a Service Request

For information on obtaining documentation, submitting a service request, and gathering additional information, see the monthly What's New in Cisco Product Documentation, which also lists all new and revised Cisco technical documentation, at:

http://www.cisco.com/en/US/docs/general/whatsnew/whatsnew.html

Subscribe to the What's New in Cisco Product Documentation as a Really Simple Syndication (RSS) feed and set content to be delivered directly to your desktop using a reader application. The RSS feeds are a free service and Cisco currently supports RSS Version 2.0.

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This document is to be used in conjunction with the documents listed in the "Related Documentation" section.

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

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