This document describes the features, issues, and deployment guidelines for the Cisco MDS NX-OS software for the use on the Cisco MDS 9000 Series Switches.

Note:      The documentation set for this product strives to use bias-free language. For the purposes of this documentation set, bias-free is defined as language that does not imply discrimination based on age, disability, gender, racial identity, ethnic identity, sexual orientation, socioeconomic status, and intersectionality. Exceptions may be present in the documentation due to language that is hardcoded in the user interfaces of the product software, language used based on RFP documentation, or language that is used by a referenced third-party product.

Note:      Release notes are updated on an as needed basis with new information on restrictions and issues. Refer to the following website for the most recent version of the Cisco MDS 9000 Series Release Notes.

Date

Description

October 03, 2025

Added CSCwo41374 to the Open Issues section.

August 29, 2025

Upgrading and Downgrading Cisco MDS NX-OS Software Image sections are moved to Cisco MDS 9000 NX-OS Software Upgrade and Downgrade Guide, Release 9.x.

May 15, 2025

Added CSCwd00610 in the Open Issues section.

March 25, 2025

Added CSCwo03706 to the Open Issues section.

December 22, 2023

Added CSCwf85545 to the Open Issues section.

November 06, 2023

Added CSCvv93277 in the Resolved Issues section.

July 03, 2023

Added CSCwe08911 in the Open Issues section.

June 16, 2023

Add restriction for oversubscription caused by FPIN notifications.

March 16, 2023

Added in the CSCwb48133 in the Open Issues section.

October 27, 2022

Added CSCwb29379 in the Resolved Issues section.

September 02, 2022

Release 9.2(1a) became available.

Introduction

The Cisco MDS 9000 Series of Multilayer Directors and Fabric Switches provide best-in-class high availability, scalability, security, and management, that enables to deploy high-performance storage-area networks. Layering a rich set of intelligent features onto a high-performance switch fabric, the Cisco MDS 9000 Series addresses the stringent requirements of large data center storage environments: high availability, security, scalability, ease of management, and seamless integration of new technologies.

About Software Images

The Cisco MDS NX-OS operating system is shipped with the Cisco MDS 9000 Series Switches. The Cisco MDS NX-OS software consists of two images: the kickstart image and the system image. These images can be upgraded or downgraded to different versions. The versions of both images must match for the system to boot.

Each model of Cisco MDS switch has unique kickstart and system images. For more information on the image names for each Cisco MDS switch, see Cisco MDS 9000 NX-OS Software Upgrade and Downgrade Guide, Release 9.x.

To download new Cisco MDS 9000 Series software, including Cisco MDS NX-OS and Cisco DCNM management software, go to the Storage Networking Software download website at https://software.cisco.com/download/home.

Upgrade and Downgrade Paths

Cisco MDS NX-OS Release 9.2(1a) supports non-disruptive upgrade and downgrade to other Cisco MDS NX-OS Releases. For upgrade and downgrade paths, and guidelines that are recommended for upgrading or downgrading Cisco MDS NX-OS software images, see Cisco MDS 9000 NX-OS Software Upgrade and Downgrade Guide, Release 9.x.

Choosing Between Cisco MDS NX-OS Open Systems Releases

Cisco uses release numbering to indicate the maturity of a Cisco MDS NX-OS release train. Cisco MDS NX-OS major versions are incremented when significant software features or hardware support are added. Because of the focus on new features and hardware, all defects may not yet have been fixed. After an initial release, minor version numbers of the train are incremented, and only security patches and defect fixes are added, providing better stability to the new features and updated security.

For information about other releases, refer to Release Notes on the Cisco MDS 9000 NX-OS and SAN-OS Software documentation page. For Cisco recommended MDS NX-OS releases for each type of hardware, see Recommended Releases for Cisco MDS 9000 Series Switches.

Components Supported

For information on supported software and hardware components, see Cisco MDS 9000 Series Compatibility Matrix.

IBM FICON Qualification Status

Cisco MDS NX-OS Release 9.2(1a) is not IBM FICON qualified.

Cisco TrustSec FC Link Encryption

For more information about which set of interfaces on each module support FC-SP, see the Configuring Cisco TrustSec Fibre Channel Link Encryption chapter of the Cisco MDS 9000 Series Security Configuration Guide, Release 9.x.

New Hardware Features

There are no new hardware features introduced in Cisco MDS NX-OS Release 9.2(1a).

New Software Features

There are no new software features introduced in Cisco MDS NX-OS Release 9.2(1a).

Unsupported Features

Smart Licensing Using Policy (SLP)

SLP is not supported on Cisco MDS 9000 Series Switches.

Data Mobility Manager

Cisco MDS Data Mobility Manager is not supported on Cisco MDS 9000 Series Switches.

Zoning Features

LUN zoning, read-only zones, and broadcast zones are no longer supported.

If these features are already configured, completely remove all the configurations that include these features before attempting to bring up these modules. In addition, you cannot configure these features after you bring up these modules.

XRC Acceleration License

Cisco Extended Remote Copy (XRC) acceleration license is obsoleted on Cisco MDS 9000 Series Switches due to improvements in the mainframe XRC feature.

Virtual Router Redundancy Protocol (VRRP)

VRRP feature is not supported on Cisco MDS 9000 Series Switches.

Data Encryption Standard (DES) Encryption for SNMP

From Cisco MDS NX-OS Release 8.5(1), AES-128 is the default encryption mechanism for SNMPv3. DES encryption for SNMP is supported only for DES users who upgrade from previous releases to Cisco MDS NX-OS Release 8.5(1). Ensure that you delete all the SNMPv3 users configured with DES encryption before upgrading to Cisco MDS NX-OS Release 8.5(1) and later releases. Any downgrades from Cisco MDS NX-OS Release 8.5(1) will be restricted if any of the SNMPv3 users have DES encryption configured as the privacy protocol. All such users will either need to be deleted or reconfigured to use no privacy protocol or AES128 encryption before downgrading.

For more information, see Cisco MDS 9000 Series System Management Configuration Guide, Release 9.x.

Limitations and Restrictions

SAN Extension Tuner

San Extension Tuner (SET) is not supported on Cisco MDS 9220i switches in Cisco MDS NX-OS Release 9.2(1a).

Fibre Channel Read Diagnostic Parameters

Fibre Channel RDP querying is not supported on NP, Port Channel, or FCoE links.

Slow Drain Detection and Congestion Isolation Enhancements

ER_RDY is not supported on FC interfaces running at 10 Gbps.

DIRL and FPIN

DIRL and FPIN are not supported on switches that are operating in Cisco NPV mode.

FPIN Notifications

FPIN Notification for oversubscription-based congestion is not supported.

FCIP Support

●      In Cisco MDS NX-OS Release 9.2(1a) or later releases, FCIP Write Acceleration is not supported between 24/10 San Extension Module and Cisco 18+4 MSM module and between 24/10 San Extension Module and Cisco SSN16 module.

●      In Cisco MDS NX-OS Release 9.2(1a) or later releases, FCIP Write Acceleration along with IVR is not supported on FCIP tunnels configured on Cisco MDS 9700 Series switches.

●      FCIP tunnels using Cisco MDS 24/10 Port SAN Extension Module cannot be used across FSPF equal cost paths.

●      On Cisco MDS 9220i switches, the maximum throughput on a single FCIP tunnel is 7 Gbps. On the 40 Gbps IPS port, the maximum throughput is 28.5 Gbps when 4 FCIP tunnels are created on separate 802.1q VLAN interfaces.

●      On Cisco MDS 24/10 Port SAN Extension Module, configuring multiple ECMP port channels with FCIP members in the same VSAN is not a valid configuration. If this is configured, then the traffic will flow through only one of the port channels.

iSCSI Support

iSCSI is not supported on Cisco MDS 9700 Directors with Cisco MDS 24/10 port SAN Extension Modules, Cisco MDS 9250i and Cisco MDS 9220i Fabric Switch.

HVDC PSU Support

The Cisco MDS 9700 HVDC PSU (DS-CHV-3.5KW) is not supported in Cisco MDS NX-OS Releases 8.1(1) and 8.1(1a). Do not attempt to load these releases on devices equipped with these PSUs or the systems will fail to power up.

Resolved Issues

Bug ID

Description

Known Impacted Releases

CSCvw91665

MDS crashes with "Anon_Resident_Mem 0 KB being killed due to lack of memory"

9.2(2), 9.2(1)

8.4(2b), 8.4(2a), 8.4(2)

CSCvv93277

Interface CRCs not incrementing on MDS 32G modules/switches.

8.5(1)

8.4(1), 8.4(1a), 8.4(2), 8.4(2a), 8.4(2b)

8.3(1), 8.3(2)

8.2(1), 8.2(2)

8.1(1), 8.1(1a), 8.1(1b)

CSCvy94319

FCNS GA_NXT reply from MDS missing zoned members after a supervisor switchover

8.4(1a)

CSCvz09012

End devices encounter errors or do not respond after MDS Fabric switch ISSU

8.4(1a), 8.4(1)

CSCvz54740

SSH Host key configured at 9.2(1) does not survive Reload or ISSU (in Single Sup setup)

9.2(1)

CSCvz60478

`reload system non-disruptive` fails if volatile memory is full and reloads switch

8.4(2)

CSCvz64961

Recover after CPU core stall self detected on supervisor

9.2(1)

8.4(1)

CSCvz69842

Improve logging when a spinlock lockup occurs

8.4(2b)

CSCvz81495

DS-X9648-1536K9: 32Gb Linecard acltcam crash seen during ISSU

8.4(2c), 8.4(2)

CSCwa35327

Chassis IDPROM corruption

8.4(2b), 8.4(1)

CSCwb14523

Zone service crashes after zoneset activation

9.2(2). 9.2(1)

8.4(2d), 8.4(2c), 8.4(2b), 8.4(2a), 8.4(2)

CSCwb29379

End devices unable to communicate - FCNS rejecting to all FC CT queries with 'logical busy'

9.2(2)

8.4(2d)

CSCwb90438

Radius Daemon hap reset - Reset triggered due to HA policy of Reset

8.5(1)

CSCwc21467

Custom roles are being removed when MDS is downgraded from version 9.x to 8.x

9.2(2), 9.2(1)

CSCwc58092

fcTrunkIfUpNotify and fcTrunkIfDownNotify traps missing for Director Switches

8.4(2d)

Open Issues

Bug ID

Description

Known Impacted Releases

CSCvf08416

M9132T, M9396S MDS9148T: pam_ftp(ftp:auth): conversation failed syslog is displayed in the show tech details.

9.2(1)

8.5(1)

8.4(1), 8.4(2), 8.4(2a), 8.4(2b)

8.3(2), 8.3(1)

8.2(2), 8.2(1)

CSCvj93031

“show system login failures” does not display IPv6 addresses.

9.2(1)

8.5(1)

8.4(1), 8.4(2), 8.4(2a), 8.4(2b)

8.3(2), 8.3(1)

CSCvo22835

While moving IOA flow between 2 clusters, all flows are briefly suspended.

9.2(1)

8.5(1)

8.4(1), 8.4(2), 8.4(2a), 8.4(2b)

8.3(2), 8.3(1)

8.2(2), 8.2(1)

8.1(1), 8.1(1a), 8.1(1b)

CSCvp48050

MDS 9700 Control Plane Packet drop seen when switch comes up.

9.2(1)

8.5(1)

8.4(1), 8.4(2), 8.4(2a), 8.4(2b)

CSCvp70681

SAN telemetry: Receiver stays in "idle", no streaming to one receiver, and single threaded telemetry.

9.2(1)

8.5(1)

8.4(1), 8.4(2), 8.4(2a), 8.4(2b)

CSCvs23106

SCSI target discovery running even after removal of last DS-X9334-K9 module from switch.

9.2(1)

8.5(1)

8.4(1), 8.4(1a), 8.4(2), 8.4(2a), 8.4(2b)

8.3(1), 8.3(2)

8.2(1), 8.2(2)

8.1(1), 8.1(1a), 8.1(1b)

CSCvt15761

Non-disruptive reload cmd is causing reinitializing of the error disabled ports on other line cards.

9.2(1)

8.5(1)

8.4(2), 8.4(2a), 8.4(2b)

CSCvv00538

Remove misleading merge failed message for ficonstat in non-FICON VSAN.

9.2(1)

8.5(1)

8.4(2b)

CSCvx37657

Need to log nonvolatile logs about BIOS programming errors.

9.2(1)

8.5(1)

8.3(2)

CSCvy30360

Interop: QLE2742 with ESX port take around 2 mins to come up after shut/no shut at 32G/auto speed.

9.2(1)

CSCvy72945

FCIP engine crash during async replication with Huawei storage.

9.2(1)

8.5(1)

CSCwb48133

MDS 9250i Interface IPStorage1/2 is transmitting with IPStorage1/1's MAC address

9.2(1), 9.2(1a), 9.2(2)

8.5(1)

CSCwc77569

FCIP ports are going down after ISSD

9.2(1)

CSCwd00610

MDS switch slow or unresponsive after reset of multiple interfaces

9.2(1a), 9.2(1)

8.5(1)

8.1(1)

CSCwe08911

Sending clear FPIN to end device, immediately after congestion clear

9.3(2a), 9.3(2), 9.3(1), 9.2(2), 9.2(1a)

8.5(1)

CSCwf85545

"port" service crash

9.2(1a)

8.4(2f), 8.4(2e)

CSCwo03706

An FC interface will not come up / switch to soft zoning

9.2(1a), 9.2(1)

8.5(1)

CSCwo41374

Switch hangs after CPU stall, control plane and management interface not responding

9.2(1a), 9.2(1)

8.5(1), 8.4(2f), 8.4(2e), 8.4(2d), 8.4(2c), 8.4(2b), 8.4(2a), 8.4(2), 8.4(1a), 8.4(1)

7.3(1)DY(1)

6.2(33)

Related Documentation

The documentation set for the Cisco MDS 9000 Series includes the documents listed in this section. To find a document online, access the following URL:

http://www.cisco.com/en/US/products/ps5989/tsd_products_support_series_home.html

The documentation set for Cisco Prime Data Center Network Manager is available from the following URL:

http://www.cisco.com/en/US/products/ps9369/tsd_products_support_series_home.html

Release Notes

http://www.cisco.com/c/en/us/support/storage-networking/mds-9000-nx-os-san-os-software/products-release-notes-list.html

Licensing Information

https://www.cisco.com/c/en/us/td/docs/switches/datacenter/mds9000/sw/8_x/config/licensing/cisco_mds9000_licensing_guide_8x.html

Regulatory Compliance and Safety Information

http://www.cisco.com/c/en/us/td/docs/switches/datacenter/mds9000/hw/regulatory/compliance/RCSI.html

Compatibility Information

http://www.cisco.com/c/en/us/support/storage-networking/mds-9000-nx-os-san-os-software/products-device-support-tables-list.html

Installation and Upgrade

http://www.cisco.com/c/en/us/support/storage-networking/mds-9000-nx-os-san-os-software/products-installation-guides-list.html

Configuration Guides

http://www.cisco.com/c/en/us/support/storage-networking/mds-9000-nx-os-san-os-software/products-installation-and-configuration-guides-list.html

Command-Line Interface

http://www.cisco.com/c/en/us/support/storage-networking/mds-9000-nx-os-san-os-software/products-command-reference-list.html

Troubleshooting and Reference

http://www.cisco.com/c/en/us/support/storage-networking/mds-9000-nx-os-san-os-software/tsd-products-support-troubleshoot-and-alerts.html

Documentation Feedback

To provide technical feedback on this document, or to report an error or omission, send your comments to mds-docfeedback@cisco.com. We appreciate your feedback.

Legal Information

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Any Internet Protocol (IP) addresses and phone numbers used in this document are not intended to be actual addresses and phone numbers. Any examples, command display output, network topology diagrams, and other figures included in the document are shown for illustrative purposes only. Any use of actual IP addresses or phone numbers in illustrative content is unintentional and coincidental.

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