Cisco Nexus 9000 Series NX-OS Software Upgrade and Downgrade Guide, Release 10.6(x)

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Transceiver Firmware

Updated: February 5, 2026

Overview

This chapter explains how the transceiver firmware or embedded software updates for Nexus 9000 optical modules are designed to optimize performance, address security vulnerabilities, and maintain compliance with current industry standards. These upgrades are managed through the NX-OS command framework using specific phases such as—Download, Activate, Run, and Commit—allowing for either disruptive or non-disruptive bulk updates across multiple interfaces.

A transceiver firmware in Nexus 9000 switches is a software that

  • is embedded within the optical transceiver modules (optics) installed in the switch interfaces

  • controls the operation of the optics, including signal transmission, reception, diagnostics, and performance optimization, and

  • is specific to the transceiver model.

Beginning with NX-OS Release 10.6(2)F, transceiver firmware upgrade using NX-OS commands is supported and explained in this chapter.