EVE-NG has two main image folders:
Warning: Avoid random torrents or “EVE-NG image packs” from unknown sites – they often contain malware, outdated images, or violate copyright.
qemu-img resize target.qcow2 +10G
chown -R root:root /opt/unetlab/addons/qemu/<device-folder>
/opt/unetlab/wrappers/unl_wrapper -a fixpermissions
If you want to skip the manual hunting and conversion, the EVE-NG Professional Edition includes:
Log into the web GUI, refresh your browser cache (Ctrl+Shift+R). The new node type will appear in the "Add Node" menu.
SSH into your EVE-NG server (running on Ubuntu) or use the web interface's built-in terminal.
ssh root@your-eve-ng-ip
The phrase “EVE-NG images download” is searched thousands of times per month. But the secret is that downloading the images is only 20% of the work. The real skill is knowing where to get them legally, how to import them correctly, and how to optimize them for performance.
Start small. Use trial images from Cisco DevNet or Juniper vLabs. Build your lab step by step. Respect intellectual property, and you will build a career-ready, professional network simulation environment that lasts for years.
Do you have a specific image you are struggling to find or import? Join the official EVE-NG Discord or forum – but remember, never ask for direct download links. Instead, ask: “How can I legally obtain an image for X device?”
Downloading images for is a multi-step process because the software itself does not come pre-loaded with vendor operating systems (like Cisco IOS or Juniper Junos) due to licensing restrictions. Users generally praise EVE-NG for its clean interface and ability to handle large, multi-vendor topologies more reliably than GNS3, though it has a steeper learning curve for Linux-based setup. Methods for Acquiring Images There are three main ways to obtain images for your lab: Official Vendor Portals Eve-ng Images Download
: The most secure and legal method. For example, you can download Cisco Modeling Labs (CML) images directly from the Cisco Software Central portal if you have a valid account or subscription. Third-Party Repositories
: Some users utilize community-maintained collections on platforms like
, which often provide "full packs" or specific ISO/bin files for various vendors like Fortinet, Palo Alto, and Aruba. Torrent Downloads
: A common community method involves downloading large torrent files that contain pre-organized folder structures for Cisco, Juniper, and other vendors. Helpful Installation & Setup Review
Reviews from the community highlight several critical steps for a successful "image download" experience: Correct VM Version : Always start by downloading the rather than the ISO for the EVE-NG Community Edition to simplify initial hypervisor setup. Naming Conventions
: EVE-NG is highly sensitive to file names and folder structures. You must follow the exact naming rules outlined in the Official EVE-NG Cookbook for images to appear in the "Add Node" list. Fixing Permissions
: A frequent "gotcha" for new users is that images won't boot until you run a specific permission-fixing command in the EVE-NG CLI: /opt/unetlab/wrappers/unl_wrapper -a fixpermissions Hardware Requirements
: For stable performance, especially with resource-heavy images like Cisco Nexus or Firewalls, a dedicated server or a high-end laptop with at least 16GB to 32GB of RAM is recommended. Comparison: EVE-NG vs. Alternatives CML (Cisco Modeling Labs) User Interface Browser-based (cleaner) Desktop Client (can be buggy) Web-based (very stable) Vendor Support Excellent multi-vendor Limited for modern images Cisco-focused Setup Difficulty Medium (Linux knowledge helps) High (frequent VM/GUI sync issues) Low (pre-packaged) CLI commands for uploading images via SFTP or WinSCP? How to Download and Load Images for Lab use on Eve-ng 30 Aug 2022 — EVE-NG has two main image folders:
This torrent file contains a collection of images categorized by vendor and type, such as Cisco, Juniper, and Palo Alto. SIP-COMSYS GNS3 vs EVE-NG: Which One Should You Use in 2026? 22 Apr 2025 —
Downloading and setting up images for EVE-NG (Emulated Virtual Environment Next Generation) is a two-part process because EVE-NG does not provide copyrighted vendor images (like Cisco, Juniper, or Fortinet) directly due to legal restrictions. You must obtain these images legally from the vendors and then upload them to your EVE-NG server. 1. Where to Legally Obtain Images
Cisco Modeling Labs (CML): The most reliable way to get legal Cisco images (IOSv, IOS-XE, NX-OS) is by purchasing a CML Personal subscription from the Cisco Learning Network Store.
Vendor Support Portals: If you or your employer have a service contract with vendors like Cisco, Juniper, or Fortinet, you can download virtual appliance images (usually in .qcow2 format) directly from their official support sites.
Free/Open Source Images: Some vendors offer free trials or versions of their software, such as Arista vEOS, Extreme EXOS, and VyOS. You can also create and add your own Linux or Windows host images. 2. How to Load Images into EVE-NG
Once you have the image files, you must upload them to the correct directory on your EVE-NG server using a tool like WinSCP or FileZilla.
Downloading and setting up EVE-NG (Emulated Virtual Environment Next Generation)
images is a multi-step process that involves obtaining the core platform and then legally sourcing and installing specific network device images like Cisco, Juniper, or Windows. 1. Download the EVE-NG Platform Warning : Avoid random torrents or “EVE-NG image
The first step is to download the EVE-NG virtual machine itself, which acts as the foundation for your labs. Official Downloads
: You can find the latest ISO and OVA files for both the Professional and Community editions on the official EVE-NG download page Alternative Mirrors : Official mirrors are often hosted on platforms like or Google Drive for faster access. EVE Client Pack
: Essential for interacting with your lab (e.g., using PuTTY or Wireshark), this can be downloaded directly for 2. Sourcing Device Images
EVE-NG does not come pre-loaded with proprietary network images due to licensing laws. You must source these separately: Official Vendor Sites
: The most secure and legal way to obtain images (like Cisco IOSv or ASA) is through official vendor support contracts or specialized programs like Cisco Modeling Labs (CML) Community Packs
: Some users share pre-bundled "Full Packs" on platforms like
, though these often require caution regarding security and copyright. Linux Images
: Ready-to-use open-source Linux images are often available as QEMU-ready downloads 3. Uploading and Installing Images
Once downloaded, images must be moved into the EVE-NG file system to be recognized. EVE-NG Cisco Images
Only use vendor images you are legally entitled to (vendor downloads, service contracts, or your own licensed copies). Distributing proprietary images publicly often violates vendor terms; this post shows how to prepare images you already have, not where to pirate them.