The file is the virtual disk image for the Cisco Catalyst 9000V (Cat9000v) Virtual Switch
mkdir -p /opt/unetlab/addons/qemu/cat9kv-17.12.01-prd9 cd /opt/unetlab/addons/qemu/cat9kv-17.12.01-prd9
Upon boot, you’ll see the IOS XE bootstrap process. Initial console access uses cisco/cisco (default credentials – change immediately).
: Identifies the Cisco Catalyst 9000v virtual switch platform. prd : Indicates a production-grade software release.
The cat9kv-prd-17.12.01prd9.qcow2 image is a virtual machine image file, specifically designed for use with QEMU (Quick Emulator) and potentially other virtualization platforms that support the QCOW2 format. The naming convention suggests that it is related to a Cisco device, possibly a part of their Catalyst series, running a specific version of software. download cat9kv-prd-17.12.01prd9.qcow2
Then create a new VM, attach the VMDK as an existing disk, and set the guest OS to “Other Linux (64-bit)”.
Community testing has also shown that functions correctly, and there are reports that 802.1X can also work (though it is not officially supported) [11†L15-L19].
Choose and browse to select cat9kv-prd-17.12.01prd9.qcow2 .
: The "9kv" in the filename likely refers to the Cisco Catalyst 9000 series, which includes switches like the 9200, 9300, and 9500. These are enterprise-class devices designed for high-performance and scalability. The file is the virtual disk image for
Router# configure terminal Router(config)# license boot level Advantage Router(config)# end Router# write memory Router# reload Use code with caution.
| Boot Mode | EVE‑NG folder name | vCPU | vRAM | Ports | ASIC Emulated | |-----------|--------------------|------|------|-------|----------------| | | cat9kv-17.12.01-prd9 | 4 | 18432 MB | 9 (8×data + mgmt) | UADP | | Silicon 1 Q200 | cat9kvq200-17.12.01-prd9 | 4 | 12288 MB | 25 (24×data + mgmt) | Silicon One Q200 | | UADP (full) | cat9kvuadp-17.12.01-prd9 | 4 | 18432 MB | 25 (24×data + mgmt) | UADP |
For network engineers and IT professionals, gaining hands-on experience with production-grade switching platforms is crucial. The virtual switch bridges this gap, offering a software-defined emulation of Cisco's enterprise switching portfolio. At the heart of this powerful tool is a specific file: cat9kv-prd-17.12.01prd9.qcow2 . This article serves as your definitive guide to understanding, acquiring, and deploying this file in your lab environment.
: Sometimes, authorized Cisco resellers may have access to software images for download, especially if you're looking for specific versions for evaluation or testing purposes. prd : Indicates a production-grade software release
The most reliable way to obtain this image is by purchasing a CML subscription. The image is included in the Reference Platform (refplat) ISO (specifically version rrefplat-20240225-fcs.iso or later).
Because the image is proprietary, . The only official, legal source is Cisco Modeling Labs (CML) .
image is to initiate a rite of passage for the modern network engineer. The version string itself,
Beyond EVE-NG, this image is also supported in . Using the vr-cat9kv kind, you can spin up the virtual switch inside a Docker container.