EVE-NG supports three distinct categories of virtual images. Each category serves a specific purpose and requires a different directory structure.
Vendors like Fortinet, Palo Alto, and F5 often offer "KVM" or "QCOW2" trial images for lab use. 2. Supported Image Types
Once uploaded, ensure the file inside the folder matches EVE-NG's required filename. For instance, if you uploaded a file named vIOS-Router-15.6.qcow2 , rename it to virtioa.qcow2 . Step 4: Fix the Permissions (Crucial Step)
If you do not have commercial vendor contracts, you can populate your EVE-NG topology with highly functional, open-source network operating systems: Download-- Eve-ng Images
Every time you add, modify, or delete an image file via CLI or SFTP, you must reset the system permissions so the web interface can execute the files. Run this command from any directory: /opt/unetlab/wrappers/unl_wrapper -a fixpermissions Use code with caution. Step-by-Step Guide to Adding Cisco IOL (IOS on Linux)
Many users ask for "Download EVE-NG Images" specifically for Cisco Switching. IOL is faster than QEMU and uses less RAM.
The absolute best and most affordable legal route for Cisco images is purchasing a CML personal license. CML includes legal, up-to-date QCOW2 images for vIOS-Router, vIOS-Switch, ASAv, Nexus 9000v, and XRv. You can easily extract these files and import them into EVE-NG. EVE-NG supports three distinct categories of virtual images
EVE-NG (Emulated Virtual Environment Next Generation) is the premier choice for network engineers, security professionals, and DevOps enthusiasts looking to build complex, real-world lab environments. Unlike basic simulators, EVE-NG is a powerful hypervisor-level emulator that runs actual network operating system images inside virtual machines.
Without this, nodes will fail to start with cryptic errors.
Access PAN-OS KVM/QEMU images via the Palo Alto Customer Support Portal if you have an active support contract. Step 4: Fix the Permissions (Crucial Step) If
Network operating systems are copyrighted intellectual property. Downloading them from unauthorized third-party blogs or file-sharing sites poses severe security risks, including malware and backdoored firmware. Always use official vendor channels. 1. Cisco Software Download Portal
Cisco IOL images require a valid license file containing a local hostname MD5 key placed in the /opt/unetlab/addons/iol/bin/ folder. Conclusion
EVE-NG supports three primary categories of virtual images. Each category serves a different purpose and uses a distinct directory structure inside the platform.
If you are pursuing a career in network engineering, you already know that theory only gets you so far. To truly understand how OSPF converges, how BGP scales, or how a Palo Alto firewall filters traffic, you need hands-on practice. is the gold standard for this, but the platform itself is just an empty shell without one critical component: Images.