Due to its scale, engineers often run into initialization issues when booting the XRv9k for the first time.
Create a properly named directory inside the QEMU image folder: mkdir -p /opt/unetlab/addons/qemu/xrv9k-7.1.1/ Use code with caution.
: Specifies the exact IOS XR release version, which introduces specific features, bug fixes, and protocol support relevant to this release cycle.
The Cisco IOS XRv 9000 (XRv 9000) Router represents a major advancement in service provider network simulation and virtual deployment. Running the high-performance Cisco IOS XR software, this virtual platform allows network engineers, architects, and students to build complex topologies, test configurations, and validate architectures without expensive physical hardware. Xrv9k-fullk9-x-7.1.1.qcow2 Download
GNS3 has integrated support for the XRv 9000 appliance. Here's the general process: Download the appliance from the GNS3 Marketplace . Step 2: In GNS3, go to File > Import Appliance and select the downloaded appliance file. Step 3: The GNS3 setup wizard will guide you, prompting you to select the location of your downloaded xrv9k-fullk9-x-7.1.1.qcow2 image file on your system. Step 4: Follow the on-screen instructions to complete the setup.
During the first boot sequence, the XRv 9000 initializes its internal Linux subsystem and configures its virtual line cards. This process can take anywhere from 5 to 15 minutes depending on your hardware's storage and CPU speed.
If you struggle with the , consider these alternatives: Due to its scale, engineers often run into
RP/0/RP0/CPU0:ios# license install <license-key>
The Cisco IOS XRv 9000 Router offers a flexible licensing scheme with multiple tiers to choose from. Without a license, the router is rate-limited to 200 Kbps. To unlock its full potential, you'll need to activate it using Cisco Smart Licensing.
Which are you using? (EVE-NG, GNS3, CML, or standard KVM?) The Cisco IOS XRv 9000 (XRv 9000) Router
The 64-bit Linux infrastructure allows for decoupled control and data planes, improving scalability and route convergence times. System Requirements for Virtual Deployment
| Aspect | What You Need to Know | |--------|----------------------| | | Cisco IOS XR is proprietary software . Redistribution of the image without an explicit license from Cisco (or an authorized reseller) violates copyright law. | | Evaluation Agreements | Cisco often makes such images available through Cisco Modeling Labs (CML) , DevNet Sandbox , or Partner‑Only portals . Access is granted under a non‑disclosure/evaluation agreement that restricts commercial use. | | Academic Use | Many universities obtain an academic license that allows students to download and run the images for teaching and research, but the same restrictions on redistribution apply. | | Open‑Source Alternatives | If you need a freely redistributable router image, consider Open vSwitch , FRRouting (FRR) , or VyOS , which are all open‑source and can be packaged as qcow2 images without licensing hurdles. |
mv /opt/unetlab/addons/qemu/xrv9k-7.1.1/Xrv9k-fullk9-x-7.1.1.qcow2 /opt/unetlab/addons/qemu/xrv9k-7.1.1/virtioa.qcow2 Use code with caution.
If you're looking to download this specific image:
| Resource | Minimum Requirement | Recommended (for labs) | | :--- | :--- | :--- | | | 4 cores | 8 vCPUs (dedicated) | | RAM | 16 GB | 24–32 GB | | Disk (QCOW2) | 8 GB (grows to 16 GB) | 40 GB free (for logs/configs) | | NICs | 1 management, 2 data ports | 4+ data ports | | Hypervisor | KVM (libvirt) on Linux | Ubuntu 20.04/22.04 or RHEL 8/9 |