If you found a reference to Cat9kv-prd-17.10.01prd7.qcow2 in a training video, book, or lab guide, please share the source – I can help you locate the official equivalent that works with that lab. Do not ask for or share leaked Cisco images.
The file cat9kv-prd-17.10.01prd7.qcow2 is the virtual disk image for the Cisco Catalyst 9000v
(virtual switch), specifically for the IOS XE Dublin 17.10.1 release. This virtualized version of the Catalyst 9000 switching family allows network engineers to simulate high-end campus switching features in lab environments like Cisco Modeling Labs (CML), GNS3, or EVE-NG. Key Specifications & Requirements
Running this image requires significant hardware resources compared to older virtual routers.
Memory: Minimum 16GB to 18GB RAM per instance; 24GB is recommended for stability. CPU: Minimum 2 to 4 vCPUs. File Size: Approximately 2.16 GB. MD5 Hash: ffdbace33d31deae33e2a920a96b79ef. Feature Highlights in 17.10.1
The 17.10.1 release introduced several enterprise-grade features to the Catalyst 9000 series, many of which can be tested using this virtual image:
Security: Support for Reflexive ACLs, providing stateful filtering for enterprise networks.
Programmability: Introduction of YANG 1.1 support and gNMI support for IPv6.
Fabric Solutions: Enhanced BGP EVPN with IPv6 underlay support. Cat9kv-prd-17.10.01prd7.qcow2 Download
Automation: RADIUS server "Automate-tester" enhancements for faster failure detection. How to Download
There are two primary legitimate ways to obtain this official image:
Cisco Modeling Labs (CML): The image is typically bundled within the CML "refplat" (reference platform) ISO. Licensed CML users can download it directly from Cisco Software Central under their CML subscription. Beta Participation: The Catalyst 9000v
is often distributed as a public beta. Interested users can sometimes find it on Cisco dCloud or by following instructions in the Cisco Catalyst 9000v Beta community. Lab Deployment (EVE-NG / GNS3)
EVE-NG: Create a directory named cat9kv-17.10.01-prd7 in /opt/unetlab/addons/qemu/, upload the file, and rename it to virtioa.qcow2.
Performance Note: Initial boot can take several minutes. To use advanced features like BGP, you must manually enable the Network-Advantage license level via the CLI:license boot level network-advantage addon dna-advantage.
For a quick overview of the highlights in IOS XE 17.10.1 for Catalyst switching: 59s IOS XE 17.10.1 Catalyst Switching Highlights Cisco Catalyst TV YouTube• 9 Dec 2022
Do you need the specific CLI commands to configure the Advantage license features once the image is booted? Cisco IOS XE 17.10.1 for Catalyst Switching If you found a reference to Cat9kv-prd-17
7 Dec 2022 — * Platform and Infra. Starting with 17.10. 1, we are introducing an industry-first 50GE speed; first time in Campus on the C9600X- Cisco Community Cisco CAT IOS-XE 9000v - GNS3
cat9kv-prd-17.10.01prd7.qcow2 is a virtual image for the Cisco Catalyst 9000V (Cat9kv)
, a virtual switch running the Cisco IOS XE Dublin 17.10.1 software. This specific version was released to introduce advanced features such as BGP EVPN VXLAN support with IPv6 underlays and overlays. Feature Development Context
To "develop a feature" for this image, you are likely integrating it into a network emulation environment or utilizing its specific software capabilities: Virtual Lab Integration file is primarily designed for use in hypervisors like or network emulators such as Programmability & Automation : 17.10.1 introduces
data models, making it a target for developing automation features using Python or Terraform. Layer 2/3 Virtualization : It supports BGP EVPN VXLAN Cisco StackWise Virtual
(on specific virtualized models like the 9500X), allowing for the development of complex virtualized fabric topologies. Download and Technical Details Official downloads require a valid Cisco Software Central
account with appropriate entitlements. Community marketplaces provide appliance files that help automate the setup once you have the image. IONOS Blog Specification Full File Name cat9kv-prd-17.10.01prd7.qcow2 Software Version IOS XE Dublin 17.10.1 ffdbace33d31deae33e2a920a96b79ef RAM Requirement 24576 MB (24 GB) Key New Features in 17.10.01 IPv6 Underlay for EVPN
: Ability to build BGP EVPN VXLAN fabrics with IPv6 underlays or dual-stack migration. StackWise Virtual This virtualized version of the Catalyst 9000 switching
: Virtual system pairing for high availability is extended to more models in this train. Secure Data Wipe
: Support for a full factory reset with data sanitization via the factory-reset DHCP Gleaning : New read-only DHCP snooping for IPv4 packets. configuration guide for one of these features, or help setting up the GNS3/EVE-NG environment for this image? Catalyst 9000v - - EVE-NG
This is a proprietary Cisco image. You cannot legally download it from public file-sharing sites, torrents, or unofficial repositories. Doing so would violate Cisco's software licensing agreements.
A qcow2 file is more than bits; it's a frozen environment that promises to behave the same way every time it boots. For engineers, that's a powerful abstraction: roll out an image and expect a predictable stack. But with that promise comes risk. The image encodes configuration choices, default credentials, patched and unpatched vulnerabilities, and sometimes proprietary binaries whose behavior is opaque.
Trusting an image requires validating its provenance and contents. Where did the qcow2 come from? Was it built by the vendor, a community maintainer, or a third party with unknown motives? In enterprise contexts, production images tend to be curated and signed; in looser ecosystems, images can be vectors for malware or subtle misconfiguration. The filename hints at "prd" and a formal release number, which helps, but filenames alone are flimsy evidence of authenticity.
Thought-provoking angle: as we increasingly rely on pre-built images for speed and scale, we should ask whether our verification practices have kept pace. Do we inspect images? Rebuild from source? Depend on vendor signatures? The balance between convenience and assurance is a governance question as much as a technical one.
Once you have legally acquired the Cat9kv-prd-17.10.01prd7.qcow2 file, follow these steps to use it in EVE-NG: