Recommended Cisco Nexus 9000 Series ACI-Mode Switches and APIC Releases

This document lists the recommended Cisco Nexus 9000 series ACI-mode switches and Application Policy Infrastructure Controller (APIC) software releases for both new and existing deployments. These recommendations are general and should not replace environment specific design review efforts and should not override Advanced Services recommended releases if employed.

New and Changed Information

Date

Description

October 28, 2024

In the Latest Releases section, added the Cisco APIC 6.0(8e) release and the Cisco Nexus 9000 series ACI-mode switches 16.0(8e) release.

September 27, 2024

In the Latest Releases section, added the Cisco APIC 5.3(2d) release and the Cisco Nexus 9000 series ACI-mode switches 15.3(2d) release.

September 23, 2024

In the Recommended Releases section, added Cisco APIC 6.0(7e) and the Cisco Nexus 9000 series ACI-mode switches 16.0(7e). Removed the 5.2 branch; it is no longer recommended.

August 29, 2024

Updated the latest Cisco APIC 6.0 branch to 6.0(7e) and the Cisco Nexus 9000 series ACI-mode switches 16.0 branch to 16.0(7e).

August 1, 2024

In the Latest Releases section, added the Cisco APIC 6.1(1f) release and the Cisco Nexus 9000 series ACI-mode switches 16.1(1f) release.

June 28, 2024

Updated the latest Cisco APIC 6.0 branch to 6.0(6c) and the Cisco Nexus 9000 series ACI-mode switches 16.0 branch to 16.0(6c).

Updated the latest Cisco APIC 5.3 branch to 5.3(2c) and the Cisco Nexus 9000 series ACI-mode switches 15.3 branch to 15.3(2c).

April 29, 2024

In all places, changed 4.1(2k) to 4.1(2m) for UCS C220/C240 M4 (APIC-L2/M2). Changed 4.3.2.230207 to 4.3.2.240009 for 5.x and 6.x releases.

April 26, 2024

Removed the Cisco APIC 4.2 branch and added the Cisco APIC 5.3 branch in the Recommended Releases section.

Removed the Long-Lived Releases section. Beginning with the 6.0 releases, Cisco ACI no longer has the concept of a long-lived release. There are only recommended releases.

April 23, 2024

Updated the latest and recommended Cisco APIC 5.2 branch to 5.2(8i) and the Cisco Nexus 9000 series ACI-mode switches 15.2 branch to 15.2(8i).

Updated the latest Cisco APIC 5.3 branch to 5.3(2b) and the Cisco Nexus 9000 series ACI-mode switches 15.3 branch to 15.3(2b).

March 19, 2024

For the Cisco APIC 5.2 and 6.0 branches, updated the UCS C220/C240 M4 (APIC-L2/M2) CIMC release to 4.1(2m).

February 28, 2024

Updated the latest Cisco APIC 6.0 branch to 6.0(5h) and the Cisco Nexus 9000 series ACI-mode switches 16.0 branch to 16.0(5h).

Updated the recommended Cisco APIC 5.2 branch to 5.2(8h) and the Cisco Nexus 9000 series ACI-mode switches 15.2 branch to 15.2(8h).

February 1, 2024

Updated the latest Cisco APIC 5.3 branch to 5.3(2a) and the Cisco Nexus 9000 series ACI-mode switches 15.3 branch to 15.3(2a).

January 10, 2024

Updated the latest Cisco APIC 6.0 branch to 6.0(4c) and the Cisco Nexus 9000 series ACI-mode switches 16.0 branch to 16.0(4c).

November 24, 2023

Added information for the Cisco APIC 5.3 branch and Cisco Nexus 9000 series ACI-mode switches 15.3 branch.

October 17, 2023

For UCS C220/C240 M5 (APIC-L3/M3) and UCS C225 M6 (APIC-L4/M4), added 4.3.2.230207 to the latest tested CIMC firmware release.

August 27, 2023

Updated the latest Cisco APIC 5.2 branch to 5.2(8e) and the Cisco Nexus 9000 series ACI-mode switches 15.2 branch to 15.2(8e).

Updated the latest Cisco APIC 4.2 branch to 4.2(7w) and the Cisco Nexus 9000 series ACI-mode switches 14.2 branch to 14.2(7w).

August 9, 2023

Updated the latest Cisco APIC 6.0 branch to 6.0(3d) and the Cisco Nexus 9000 series ACI-mode switches 16.0 branch to 16.0(3d). Updated the CIMC releases for the 6.0 branch.

August 2, 2023

Updated the latest Cisco APIC 6.0 branch to 6.0(2j) and the Cisco Nexus 9000 series ACI-mode switches 16.0 branch to 16.0(2j). Updated the CIMC releases for the 6.0 branch.

July 24, 2023

Updated the latest Cisco APIC 6.0 branch to 6.0(2h) and the Cisco Nexus 9000 series ACI-mode switches 16.0 branch to 16.0(2h). Updated the CIMC releases for the 6.0 branch.

June 29, 2023

Updated the latest Cisco APIC 5.2 branch to 5.2(8d) and the Cisco Nexus 9000 series ACI-mode switches 15.2 branch to 15.2(8d).

March 28, 2023

Updated the latest Cisco APIC 4.2 branch to 4.2(7w) and the Cisco Nexus 9000 series ACI-mode switches 14.2 branch to 14.2(7w).

March 14, 2023

Updated the latest and recommended Cisco APIC 5.2 branch to 5.2(7g) and the Cisco Nexus 9000 series ACI-mode switches 15.2 branch to 15.2(7g).

January 23, 2023

Updated the latest and recommended Cisco APIC 4.2 branch to 4.2(7v) and the Cisco Nexus 9000 series ACI-mode switches 14.2 branch to 14.2(7v).

Updated the latest and recommended Cisco APIC 5.2 branch to 5.2(7f) and the Cisco Nexus 9000 series ACI-mode switches 15.2 branch to 15.2(7f).

November 20, 2022

Updated the latest Cisco APIC 4.2 branch to 4.2(7v) and the Cisco Nexus 9000 series ACI-mode switches 14.2 branch to 14.2(7v).

November 9, 2022

Updated the latest Cisco APIC 5.2 branch to 5.2(7f) and the Cisco Nexus 9000 series ACI-mode switches 15.2 branch to 15.2(7f).

September 12, 2022

Updated the recommended Cisco APIC 5.2 branch to 5.2(6e) and the Cisco Nexus 9000 series ACI-mode switches 15.2 branch to 15.2(6e).

August 30, 2022

Updated the latest Cisco APIC 5.2 branch to 5.2(6e) and the Cisco Nexus 9000 series ACI-mode switches 15.2 branch to 15.2(6e).

August 24, 2022

Updated the latest and recommended Cisco APIC 4.2 branch to 4.2(7u) and the Cisco Nexus 9000 series ACI-mode switches 14.2 branch to 14.2(7u).

July 13, 2022

In the Latest Releases section, added the latest Cisco APIC 6.0 branch and the Cisco Nexus 9000 series ACI-mode switches 16.0 branch.

July 1, 2022

Updated the latest Cisco APIC 5.2 branch to 5.2(5d) and the Cisco Nexus 9000 series ACI-mode switches 15.2 branch to 15.2(5d).

June 24, 2022

Updated the recommended Cisco APIC 5.2 branch to 5.2(5c) and the Cisco Nexus 9000 series ACI-mode switches 15.2 branch to 15.2(5c).

May 15, 2022

Updated the latest Cisco APIC 5.2 branch to 5.2(5c) and the Cisco Nexus 9000 series ACI-mode switches 15.2 branch to 15.2(5c).

May 10, 2022

Updated the recommended Cisco APIC 5.2 branch to 5.2(4e) and the Cisco Nexus 9000 series ACI-mode switches 15.2 branch to 15.2(4e).

April 6, 2022

Updated the latest Cisco APIC 4.2 branch to 4.2(7t) and the Cisco Nexus 9000 series ACI-mode switches 14.2 branch to 14.2(7t).

March 21, 2022

For UCS C220/C240 M5 (APIC-L3/M3), changed the CIMC release to 4.1(3f).

March 10, 2022

Updated the latest and recommended Cisco APIC 4.2 branch to 4.2(7s) and the Cisco Nexus 9000 series ACI-mode switches 14.2 branch to 14.2(7s).

February 24, 2022

For UCS C220/C240 M4 (APIC-L2/M2), changed the CIMC release to 4.1(2g).

February 19, 2022

Updated the latest and recommended Cisco APIC 5.2 branch to 5.2(4d) and the Cisco Nexus 9000 series ACI-mode switches 15.2 branch to 15.2(4d).

January 13, 2022

Updated the latest and recommended Cisco APIC 4.2 branch to 4.2(7r) and the Cisco Nexus 9000 series ACI-mode switches 14.2 branch to 14.2(7r).

Updated the latest and recommended Cisco APIC 5.2 branch to 5.2(3g) and the Cisco Nexus 9000 series ACI-mode switches 15.2 branch to 15.2(3g).

December 15, 2021

Updated the Cisco APIC 5.2 branch to 5.2(3f) and the Cisco Nexus 9000 series ACI-mode switches 15.2 branch to 15.2(3f).

November 4, 2021

The 3.2 branch is no longer long-lived; 5.2 is now long-lived. Added 5.2(3e) to the recommended releases and removed 3.2(10f).

Updated the CIMC version for UCS C220 M5 (APIC-L3/M3) to 4.1(3d).

October 19, 2021

Updated the Cisco APIC 5.2 branch to 5.2(3e) and the Cisco Nexus 9000 series ACI-mode switches 15.2 branch to 15.2(3e).

October 7, 2021

Updated the Cisco APIC 4.2 branch to 4.2(7q) and the Cisco Nexus 9000 series ACI-mode switches 14.2 branch to 14.2(7q).

August 30, 2021

Updated the UCS C220 M5 (APIC-L3/M3) Cisco IMC release to 4.1(3c) for all applicable Cisco APIC releases.

August 19, 2021

Updated the Cisco APIC 5.2 branch to 5.2(2f) and the Cisco Nexus 9000 series ACI-mode switches 15.2 branch to 15.2(2f).

Updated the Cisco APIC 3.2 branch to 3.2(10f) and the Cisco Nexus 9000 series ACI-mode switches 13.2 branch to 13.2(10f).

July 30, 2021

Updated the Cisco APIC 4.2 branch to 4.2(7l) and the Cisco Nexus 9000 series ACI-mode switches 14.2 branch to 14.2(7l).

July 9, 2021

Updated the Cisco APIC 5.2 branch to 5.2(2e) and the Cisco Nexus 9000 series ACI-mode switches 15.2 branch to 15.2(2e).

June 7, 2021

Added information for the Cisco APIC 5.2 branch and Cisco Nexus 9000 series ACI-mode switches 15.2 branch.

Latest Releases

The following table lists all of the latest releases for Cisco Nexus 9000 series ACI-mode switches and Cisco APIC:

Platform Series

Latest Software Release

Latest Tested CIMC Firmware Version

Cisco APIC, 6.1 branch

6.1(1f)

For UCS C220/C240 M4 (APIC-L2/M2): 4.1(2m)

For UCS C220/C240 M5 (APIC-L3/M3): 4.3.2.240077

For UCS C225 M6 (APIC-L4/M4): 4.3.4.241063

Cisco Nexus 9000 series ACI-mode switches, 16.1 branch

16.1(1f)

-

Cisco APIC, 6.0 branch

6.0(8e)

For UCS C220/C240 M4 (APIC-L2/M2): 4.1(2m)

For UCS C220/C240 M5 (APIC-L3/M3): 4.3.2.240077

For UCS C225 M6 (APIC-L4/M4): 4.3.4.241063

Cisco Nexus 9000 series ACI-mode switches, 16.0 branch

16.0(8e)

-

Cisco APIC, 5.3 branch

5.3(2d)

For UCS C220/C240 M4 (APIC-L2/M2): 4.1(2m)

For UCS C220/C240 M5 (APIC-L3/M3): 4.3.2.240077

For UCS C225 M6 (APIC-L4/M4): 4.3.4.241063

Cisco Nexus 9000 series ACI-mode switches, 15.3 branch

15.3(2d)

-

Cisco APIC, 5.2 branch

5.2(8i)

For UCS C220/C240 M4 (APIC-L2/M2): 4.1(2m)

For UCS C220/C240 M5 (APIC-L3/M3): 4.3.2.240077

Cisco Nexus 9000 series ACI-mode switches, 15.2 branch

15.2(8i)

-

Cisco APIC, 5.1 branch

5.1(4c)

For UCS C220 M3 (APIC-L1/M1): 3.0(4l)

For UCS C220/C240 M4 (APIC-L2/M2): 4.1(2m)

For UCS C220/C240 M5 (APIC-L3/M3): 4.2(3e)

Cisco Nexus 9000 series ACI-mode switches, 15.1 branch

15.1(4c)

-

Cisco APIC, 5.0 branch

5.0(2h)

For UCS C220 M3 (APIC-L1/M1): 3.0(4l)

For UCS C220/C240 M4 (APIC-L2/M2): 4.1(2m)

For UCS C220/C240 M5 (APIC-L3/M3): 4.2(3e)

Cisco Nexus 9000 series ACI-mode switches, 15.0 branch

15.0(2h)

-

Cisco APIC, 4.2 branch

4.2(7w)

For UCS C220 M3 (APIC-L1/M1): 3.0(4l)

For UCS C220/C240 M4 (APIC-L2/M2): 4.1(2m)

For UCS C220/C240 M5 (APIC-L3/M3): 4.3.2.240009

Cisco Nexus 9000 series ACI-mode switches, 14.2 branch

14.2(7w)

-

Cisco APIC, 4.1 branch

4.1(2x)

For UCS C220 M3 (APIC-L1/M1): 3.0(4l)

For UCS C220/C240 M4 (APIC-L2/M2): 4.1(2m)

For UCS C220/C240 M5 (APIC-L3/M3): 4.2(3e)

Cisco Nexus 9000 series ACI-mode switches, 14.1 branch

14.1(2x)

-

Cisco APIC, 4.0 branch

4.0(3d)

For UCS C220 M3 (APIC-L1/M1): 3.0(4l)

For UCS C220/C240 M4 (APIC-L2/M2): 4.1(2m)

For UCS C220/C240 M5 (APIC-L3/M3): 4.2(3e)

Cisco Nexus 9000 series ACI-mode switches, 14.0 branch

14.0(3d)

-

Cisco APIC, 3.2 branch

3.2(10f)

For UCS C220/C240 M3 (APIC-L1/M1): 3.0(4l)

For UCS C220/C240 M4 (APIC-L2/M2): 4.1(2m)

For UCS C220/C240 M5 (APIC-L3/M3): 4.2(3e)

Cisco Nexus 9000 series ACI-mode switches, 13.2 branch

13.2(10f)

-

Cisco APIC, 3.1 branch

3.1(2v)

For UCS C220/C240 M3 (APIC-L1/M1): 3.0(3e)

For UCS C220/C240 M4 (APIC-L2/M2): 4.1(2m)

Cisco Nexus 9000 series ACI-mode switches, 13.1 branch

13.1(2v)

-

Cisco APIC, 3.0 branch

3.0(2n)

For UCS C220/C240 M3 (APIC-L1/M1): 3.0(3e)

For UCS C220/C240 M4 (APIC-L2/M2): 4.1(2m)

Cisco Nexus 9000 series ACI-mode switches, 13.0 branch

13.0(2n)

-

Cisco APIC, 2.3 branch

2.3(1p)

2.0(13i)

Cisco Nexus 9000 series ACI-mode switches, 12.3 branch

12.3(1p)

-

Cisco APIC, 2.2 branch

2.2(4r)

2.0(13i)

Cisco Nexus 9000 series ACI-mode switches, 12.2 branch

12.2(4r)

-

Cisco APIC, 2.1 branch

2.1(4a)

2.0(9c)

Cisco Nexus 9000 series ACI-mode switches, 12.1 branch

12.1(4a)

-

Cisco APIC, 2.0 branch

2.0(2o)

2.0(3i)

Cisco Nexus 9000 series ACI-mode switches, 12.0 branch

12.0(2o)

-

C220-WMP2704001H /chassis # scope adapter 1
C220-WMP2704001H /chassis/adapter # show ext-eth-if detail
Port 2:
MAC Address: 3C:26:E4:1D:BC:95
Link State: LinkUp
…
Connector Type: SFP-10G-T-X
…

Recommended Releases

We recommend that you choose one of the releases listed in the table below.


Note


If you are running a release that is prior to the Cisco Application Policy Infrastructure Controller (APIC) 2.1(3h) and Cisco Nexus 9000 series ACI-mode 12.1(3h) releases, we recommend that you at minimum upgrade to the 2.1(3h) and 12.1(3h) releases or later.

For the recommended releases of the other Cisco ACI software, such as Cisco ACI Multi-Site, Cisco ACI Virtual Edge, and Cisco Application Virtual Switch, see the Cisco APIC Upgrade/Downgrade Support Matrix:

https://www.cisco.com/c/dam/en/us/td/docs/Website/datacenter/apicmatrix/index.html


Platform Series

Recommended Software Release

Latest Tested CIMC Firmware Version

Cisco APIC, 6.0 branch

6.0(7e)

For UCS C220/C240 M4 (APIC-L2/M2): 4.1(2m)

For UCS C220/C240 M5 (APIC-L3/M3): 4.3.2.240077

For UCS C225 M6 (APIC-L4/M4): 4.3.4.241063

Cisco Nexus 9000 series ACI-mode switches, 16.0 branch

16.0(7e)

-

Cisco APIC, 5.3 branch

5.3(2c)

For UCS C220/C240 M4 (APIC-L2/M2): 4.1(2m)

For UCS C220/C240 M5 (APIC-L3/M3): 4.3.2.240077

For UCS C225 M6 (APIC-L4/M4): 4.3.4.241063

Cisco Nexus 9000 series ACI-mode switches, 15.3 branch

15.3(2c)

-

Existing Deployments That Use Software Earlier Than One of the Recommended Releases

To the extent possible, Cisco recommends upgrading to one of the Cisco Nexus 9000 series ACI-mode switches or APIC releases listed previously. If that is not possible, Cisco recommends that you review the Cisco Application Policy Infrastructure Controller Release Notes for the earlier release and the Bug Search Tool to determine the impact of any open caveats.

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: https://www.cisco.com/c/en/us/td/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 delivers content directly to your desktop using a reader application. The RSS feeds are a free service.

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