Download Cat9kv-prd-17.12.01prd9.qcow2 //free\\
Type to go straight to the user exec prompt. You can then access the privileged execution mode to verify the software version and state: Router> enable Router# show version Use code with caution. Look for lines confirming the software version: Cisco IOS XE Software, Version 17.12.01 Cisco Catalyst 8000V / Virtual Router Virtual Software Enabling Features and Evaluation Licensing
: Minimum 2 (4 recommended for full feature testing or SD-WAN operation)
switches would require thousands of dollars in hardware, significant power consumption, and physical space. Virtualizing these switches using the prd9.qcow2 image allows for the creation of complex topologies—including SD-Access and DNA Center integrations—at a fraction of the cost and complexity.
Once safely downloaded, the QCOW2 file format makes it natively compatible with most open-source and enterprise virtualization hypervisors. Integrating with EVE-NG
Note: The file is large (2–3 GB). Use a download manager or CLI tools like wget -c for resumability. download cat9kv-prd-17.12.01prd9.qcow2
: This could stand for "production" or a similar designation indicating the software is intended for or used in a production environment.
Running this specific Amsterdam release allows you to practice advanced enterprise topologies, including:
Furthermore, the "prd" (production) designation in the filename indicates a stable release intended for rigorous testing. For engineers preparing for expert-level certifications like the CCIE or for organizations validating a new configuration before pushing it to live hardware, this specific version provides a high-fidelity environment that mimics the behavior of physical Catalyst 9300 or 9500 switches.
The prd9 suffix suggests it includes cumulative fixes over earlier prd builds of the same minor version. Always prefer the highest build number for a given release. Type to go straight to the user exec prompt
The cat9kv-prd-17.12.01prd9.qcow2 file is a virtual disk image for the Cisco Catalyst 9000v (Cat9Kv)
Modern IOS-XE virtual images are resource-intensive because they run a fully containerized architecture underneath the hood. Ensure your hypervisor host meets the minimum resource allocations per node: Minimum Requirement (Lab) Recommended (Production / Performance) 2 to 4 vCPUs RAM 8 GB to 16 GB Disk Space 16 GB (Thin Provisioned) NIC Drivers VirtIO / E1000 VirtIO / SR-IOV (for high throughput) Step-by-Step Deployment Guide 1. Importing to EVE-NG (Emulated Virtual Environment)
If you own a personal or corporate license for Cisco Modeling Labs, this image is bundled within the official CML reference platform ISO. You can extract the QCOW2 directly from the CML refplat image file without needing an enterprise support contract. System and Resource Requirements
Security checklist before use
| Error | Cause | Solution | | :--- | :--- | :--- | | | Your CCO account lacks entitlement. | Link a valid service contract to your profile or request a trial license from your Cisco AM. | | File corrupt after download | Interrupted download or proxy caching. | Use a download manager (like wget -c ) or clear your browser cache. | | VM fails to boot (Guest has not initialized) | Incorrect hypervisor settings; missing CPU flags. | Ensure CPU model includes vmx or svm . On KVM, set CPU to host-passthrough . | | Out of disk space during decompression | The .qcow2 is sparse but expands. | Allocate at least 20 GB of free space on your hypervisor’s storage. |
SSD storage strongly recommended for better performance. How to Install cat9kv-prd-17.12.01prd9.qcow2 in EVE-NG Catalyst 9000v Go to product viewer dialog for this item.
By default, the image boots with basic throughput limitations. If you are testing high-performance features like full cryptographically secured IPSec tunnels, AppX routing capabilities, or Cisco SD-WAN (Viptela integration), configure Cisco Smart Licensing Using Policy:
The file cat9kv-prd-17.12.01prd9.qcow2 is a virtual disk image for the Cisco Catalyst 9000v Virtualizing these switches using the prd9
This technical guide covers how to securely obtain this virtual image, its core specifications, and step-by-step deployment instructions for modern hypervisors. 1. What is the Cat9kv/C8000V 17.12.01 Image?