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

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.

    1. The server installation file (either the OVA of the ISO).
    2. The reference platform ISO (this contains the router images that are used in CML).

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