Set the network adapters to use the driver for optimized performance.
One of the most sought-after versions in current virtual lab environments is the image file named .
Rename the file to EVE-NG’s recognized virtual disk designation:
The cat9kv-prd-17.12.01prd9.qcow2 image brings the power of Cisco’s Catalyst 9000 series into the virtual world. It supports (Regular UDAP, Silicon One Q200, full UADP) from a single QCOW2 file, making it a flexible tool for labs that need either a lightweight 9‑port switch or a more feature‑rich 25‑port virtual switch.
If you need to of a .qcow2 file you already legally possess, you can mount it on Linux: download cat9kv-prd-17.12.01prd9.qcow2
Complete Guide to Cisco Catalyst 8000V (Cat8K) and Catalyst 9000V (Cat9K) Deployment
In the template, set the RAM to 8192 MB and ensure the QEMU Custom Options include the necessary arguments for the data plane simulation, typically -machine type=pc,accel=kvm -cpu host -smp 4 -device virtio-net-pci,netdev=net0 -netdev user,id=net0 . Troubleshooting and Best Practices
: EVE-NG, GNS3, Cisco Modeling Labs (CML), OpenStack, and standalone Linux KVM hypervisors.
In EVE-NG, ensure you use the virtio interface type in the node settings. Set the network adapters to use the driver
Users with a valid service contract (CCO account) associated with Catalyst 9000 entitlements can download it directly from the Cisco Software Download portal. 2. System Requirements
Create the target directory using exactly matching naming conventions: mkdir -p /opt/unetlab/addons/qemu/c8000v-17.12.01/ Use code with caution.
Whether you are deploying it as a or as part of a Cisco SD-WAN fabric
The image cat9kv-prd-17.12.01prd9.qcow2 is a reliable, production-grade virtual switch that bridges the gap between software emulation and physical hardware. Whether you are preparing for a CCIE lab, validating a SD-Access fabric design, or testing IOS XE automation scripts, this image will serve as a solid foundation. It supports (Regular UDAP, Silicon One Q200, full
Before you attempt to download a file, you must understand what it represents.
format cannot be overstated. Unlike the proprietary boxes of a decade ago, this format allows the Catalyst 9000v to thrive on open-source hypervisors like KVM and QEMU. It democratizes the learning curve. A student in a dorm room or an architect in a high-rise can spin up a multi-node topology that mimics a multi-million dollar campus network, all within the confines of a modest server. It turns complex concepts like SD-Access and VXLAN from abstract whiteboard drawings into interactive, programmable realities.
: This likely refers to a specific model or series of network devices, potentially the Cisco 9000 series switches or more specifically, the Cisco Catalyst 9500 or 9600 series, but "9kv" hints more towards virtual or specific models within Cisco's larger product lineup.
The file is the official Cisco Catalyst 9000v (Virtual Switch)
Before deploying the image in your lab, you must have a virtualization platform ready, such as: