Run Cisco Switch (IOS or Nexus)for learning/practice purposes

[babalao]

Hello,

Is it possible to emulate/run a Cisco Switch in Vmware workstation for example ? I know I can run the router Catalyst 8000v.

I would like the same but with a switch. The purpose is to practice and test networks with switches,routers,FWs ,etc.

PS: I can not use GNS3 or CML, EVE-NG. Only Vmware...

Is this possible? and if so what would be the name of the image...I search in Cisco.com but did not find anything...

Thank you!

Regards

[Ramblin Tech]

With a cisco.com login, you can download Nexus 9000v Switch demo images by accepting the General Terms (formerly known as EULA), no service contract required. In addition to .ova packaging for VMware, there are also .box packages for Vagrant and .qcow2 packages for KVM.

[babalao]

Hello,

Than you.

And there is anything similar for IOS ? like catalyst 9K v?? not right?

Regards

[Ramblin Tech]

Catalyst 9000v images exist, but they are not commercial products, so you cannot download them from Software Central on cisco.com. You can, however, get the cat9kv images by purchasing a license for CML. The free version of CML includes IOL-L2 which implements L2 switchports like a Catalyst switch.

You said you are restricted to only running VMware, but it should be noted that CML can be installed as a VM on VMware. The CML nodes would then be supported by CML's KVM hypervisor which is itself nested inside VMware's hypervisor. Depending on your version of Windows, supporting nested virtualization can be tricky to get working, but many users of CML are doing it successfully.