Last weekend I decided to try Cisco’s Modeling Labs (CML). This is Cisco’s network virtualization platform comparable to GNS3 or EVE-NG. It replaced an older Cisco product called VIRL (Virtual Internet Routing Lab), offering more features and improved performance.
I have quite a lot of experience with both EVE-NG and GNS3, so I’m curious to see how CML will compare.
In this article we go over the following steps:
- Getting started with:
Getting started
I went with the option of installing CML on my ESXi server.
This installation will cover a fresh install on VMware ESXi using the CML .OVA file.
Some useful links before we get started:
CML information:
https://www.cisco.com/c/en/us/products/cloud-systems-management/modeling-labs/index.html
CML Licensing:
https://learningnetworkstore.cisco.com/cisco-modeling-labs-personal/cisco-modeling-labs-personal/CML-PERSONAL.html
Software download:
https://software.cisco.com/download/home/286290254/type/286290305/release/CML-Personal%202.7.2
We start by downloading two files from the software website. We need both of these for the install.
- The server installation file (either the OVA of the ISO).
- The reference platform ISO (this contains the router images that are used in CML).
VMware: Creating the CML Virtual Machine
1: The first step is registering the new Virtual Machine:
2: Give it a name and select the downloaded OVA: 3: Select the datastore: 4: Select your Deployment options: 6: Verify and finish.