Robust AAA implementation, 802.1X network access control mechanisms, and Access Control Lists (ACLs).
This image is only licensed for use inside Cisco Modeling Labs (CML) . Using it in third‑party platforms such as EVE‑NG or GNS3 without a proper license is generally not permitted by Cisco’s right‑to‑use agreements [15†L16-L22]. That said, for educational or personal lab use, many engineers legally obtain the image by purchasing a CML subscription (starting at USD 199/year) and then use it in their own lab environments for learning.
: Refers to the Cisco Catalyst Virtual platform, running Cisco IOS-XE. (Note: Cisco's virtual routing architecture under modern IOS-XE is primarily anchored by the Catalyst 8000V Edge Software, while certain ecosystem testing uses Cat9KV designations). prd : Indicates a Production-grade release.
Some users may find the image in Cisco community discussions, Reddit communities like r/networking or r/cisco , or unofficial image repositories. download cat9kv-prd-17.12.01prd9.qcow2
Click and name the template (e.g., Catalyst-8000V-17.12.01 ).
Deploying the 17.12.01 release unlocks powerful modern enterprise networking functionalities natively inside your virtual topology:
When you first power on the virtual machine, it will take several minutes to expand the compressed file system and boot into the bootstrap menu. Overriding the Zero-Touch Auto-Install Robust AAA implementation, 802
: When downloading any file, especially from unofficial sources, verify the integrity of the file using checksums or digital signatures if provided.
: The 17.12.01prd9 part of the filename indicates a specific software version. This could be an interim or pre-release version of the IOS XE software that Cisco uses on their 9000 series devices. The "prd" might signify "production" or a specific development stage.
This comprehensive technical guide explains what this specific image is, how to obtain it legally, and the exact steps required to deploy it in your virtual infrastructure. Understanding the Image File Name That said, for educational or personal lab use,
: VirtIO (highly recommended for KVM), E1000, or VMXNET3 4. Deploying the QCOW2 Image in Network Simulators Option A: EVE-NG Integration
The Catalyst 9000v is a resource-intensive virtual machine. To ensure it runs reliably in your lab, your host machine (EVE-NG/GNS3) should meet these minimum requirements: 8GB to 16GB Dedicated per Cat9Kv node. CPU: 2-4 vCPUs per node.
specific qcow2 files are often bundled with CML rather than standalone downloads.
Set the Binary to qemu-system-x86_64 and allocate at least 3072 MB of RAM.