Cisco Modeling Labs free-tier to Simulate and Configure Catalyst 1200

[netstudent88]

Hello,

I'm currently a student and slowly started to develop a strong interest in networking. I own a Netgate firewall that I've been tinkering with to manage my home network for the past year. Recently, I decided to expand my knowledge by purchasing a Catalyst 1200-8T-D switch to set up VLANs and delve deeper into networking concepts.

Given that the Catalyst 1200 runs an IOS-like operating system, I'm considering using Cisco Modeling Labs (CML) free-tier to simulate and practice configurations before applying them to my physical switch. I'd like to know:

• Is Cisco Modeling Labs suitable for emulating the Catalyst 1200 switch, especially regarding its IOS features?
• Is it true that the Catalyst 1000 Series runs the classic Cisco IOS? Would using those switches allow me to use CML for testing with nearly an exact experience in CML as IRL?
• Can I use CML to learn how to configure settings like VLANs, management interfaces, and static routes for my switch?
• Does CML offer any GUI configuration, and will I be able to access the exact same GUI I see when I log into the actual switch?
• Will I be able to set up a pfSense firewall within CML?

If anyone has tips or resources on how to effectively use Cisco Modeling Labs to learn and simulate configurations for the Catalyst 1200 switch, I'd greatly appreciate it. The advanced options seem quite extensive, and I'm eager to get a better grasp of them through CML.

Thank you for your guidance!

[bigevilbeard]

@netstudent88 you can use the nx9v for all your switching requirements, also from what I read the free-tier version of the product allowing you to start up to 5 nodes without a license and with this release, CML includes access to the latest FMCv and FTDv images too.

Unsure on the free tier if you can import 3rd party images, I know you can on the personal version but support is limit. As this is free it’s worth a try.

[netstudent88]

I watched a video on you tube about the offering https://youtu.be/KykMAyJvQ_k?si=VEjZjbBO-mtalkD1. I'm pretty sure they did specify that third party uploads are allowed. However, I’m unfamiliar with some of the terminology they used when referring to uploads. My interpretation is that it’s permitted but I could be wrong.

What exactly are the FMCv and FTDv images?

Do you think I’d be better off with a Catalyst 1000, given that I can simulate Cisco IOS identically on CML? With the Catalyst 1200 series, I only have access to this custom Linux-based system, which seems less representative of real-world Cisco IOS setups.

Thanks again for your insights!

[bigevilbeard]

From what I’ve read, pfsense is not officially supported in CML. If pfsense supports KVM deployment, then you can create a new custom node definition. You could do this if you build pfsense outside CML there is an old post here which was done https://dancwilliams.com/cisco-virl-pfsense-and-routed-management-networks/

[balaji.bandi]

You can not 100% simulate the models of the device you looking to do, you can only explore the features you can test using simulator.

IOS and IOS XE code ( IOL or vIOS or cat 9Kv images or nodes)

What exactly are the FMCv and FTDv images?

these are Security related virtual devices, if you don't know ignore it, don't bother about it.

Most of the simulator Lab (or emulator are feature based testing)

also suggest to read what CML can do :

https://www.cisco.com/site/us/en/learn/training-certifications/training/modeling-labs.html

[netstudent88]

---

You can not 100% simulate the models of the device you looking to do, you can only explore the features you can test using simulator.

---

iOSvl2

https://developer.cisco.com/docs/modeling-labs/iosvl2/

Cataylst 1000 with iOS

https://www.cisco.com/c/en/us/products/collateral/switches/catalyst-1000-series-switches/nb-06-cat1k-ser-switch-ds-cte-en.html

Will I be able to use the same commands and operations on the Catalyst 1000 as in the IOSvL2 virtual image, so I can create a configuration for each feature within the virtual environment and then transfer it directly to my real-life setup?

I could create and test configurations on my iOSvl2 and basically use almost the same thing within my actual switch once I'm ready to deploy my configuration?

Common features between iOSvl2 and Catalyst 1000

• VLAN creation and management (802.1Q).
• Inter-VLAN routing using SVIs.
• Spanning Tree Protocol (PVST, RSTP).
• EtherChannel (PAgP and LACP).
• Port-based security like ACLs, DHCP Snooping, and ARP Inspection.
• QoS for traffic prioritization.

[balaji.bandi · Accepted solution]

Most of the configuration should work as expected, but when you take the configuration on adding in real device, check the syntax anything changed, its not hard to change according the device model IOS/ XE if you understand the command syntax and use case.

check the features all supported :

https://developer.cisco.com/docs/modeling-labs/iosv/#iosv

[netstudent88]

Ah, okay. Thank you. I really don't know any syntax. I'm learning from 0. So, this will be helpful. I think I will get the 1000 just for piece of mind!