Cisco Device Patching

[satyamshukla95183]

Hi Cisco Community, 

I’m developing a patch management tool for network devices and need help on cost-effective ways to test the patch deployment on cisco devices.

1. Can I test patch deployment in a virtual lab ? If yes what are the best virtual labs or simulators for this?
2. If physical testing is needed, what’s the most affordable way to set up a lab?
3. Any best practices for patch testing?

Thanks for your advice!

[bigevilbeard · Accepted solution]

Cisco CML https://www.cisco.com/c/en/us/products/cloud-systems-management/modeling-labs/index.html would be an ideal virutal platform, you can run this locally or in the cloud. You can also purchase this yourself or use the free version in the sandbox (link at the bottom of this page https://developer.cisco.com/modeling-labs/ here you will also find all the documentation and installation FAQ too.

Hope this helps.