: Refer to the Cisco Catalyst 9000v Data Sheet for a full list of supported features (e.g., SD-Access, VXLAN).
The file extension is arguably the most important part of this puzzle. .qcow2 is the storage format for QEMU (Quick Emulator), the standard for virtualization in open-source environments (KVM/QEMU) and the foundation for many cloud platforms.
: Stands for "Production," indicating a standard release image. cat9kv-prd-17.12.01prd9.qcow2
: As a modern virtual switch, it is resource-intensive. It usually requires at least 4 vCPUs and 8GB to 16GB of RAM to boot and operate smoothly.
: While the image can be used for labbing, full feature sets often require Cisco Smart Licensing . Without a license, the switch may operate in a throughput-limited "evaluation" mode. : Refer to the Cisco Catalyst 9000v Data
The is a virtual disk image for the Cisco Catalyst 9000v (Cat9kv), a virtualized switch running Cisco IOS XE Dublin 17.12.1 . This image is designed for network engineers and architects to simulate, test, and validate complex switching environments within virtualization platforms like Cisco Modeling Labs (CML), GNS3 , and EVE-NG . Core Specifications and Requirements
The "v" changes the game. It means the Catalyst is no longer bound to a specific port count on a chassis. It is a Network Function Virtualization (NFV) instance designed to run on x86 commodity hardware or in cloud environments (AWS, Azure, etc.). It brings the familiar IOS-XE feature set (Segment Routing, SD-Access, Multicast) to virtual workloads, allowing for "instant-on" network topologies in lab environments or production clouds without waiting for shipping logistics. : Stands for "Production," indicating a standard release
This image is primarily used by network engineers to test configurations before deploying them to physical hardware.
The prefix cat9kv identifies this as the virtualized iteration of Cisco’s flagship Catalyst 9000 series switches. Historically, the Catalyst line was synonymous with heavy, physical metal boxes, stacking in wiring closets.
: To use this image in EVE-NG , you typically create a directory named cat9kv-17.12.01 , upload the file, and rename it to virtioa.qcow2 .
The version belongs to the Extended Maintenance Release (EMR) cycle, offering 36 months of support and stability. Cat9kv-prd-17.12.01prd9.qcow2 Updated