Navigate to > Browse all > Routers > Virtual Routers > IOS XRv 9000 Router . Select IOS XR Software and expand the 7.1.1 release tree. Locate the QCOW2 image file and click download.
User Access Verification Please create a root-system username and password. Enter username: admin Enter password: YourSecurePassword123 Enter password again: YourSecurePassword123 Use code with caution.
Select and browse to your downloaded Xrv9k-fullk9-x-7.1.1.qcow2 file. Xrv9k-fullk9-x-7.1.1.qcow2 Download
.qcow2 (Optimized for KVM-based emulators like EVE-NG and GNS3 )
For any network professional working with the XRv 9000, the following resources can be invaluable: Navigate to > Browse all > Routers >
Represents the "K9" cryptographic package. This confirms that the image contains strong encryption capabilities (AES-256, Triple DES, SSHv2, IPsec, and SSL). It is subject to export control laws but is required for production environments where management traffic and control plane sessions must be securely encrypted. Architecture String ( x )
| Question | Answer | |----------|--------| | | No. The virtual XR images are intended for lab, testing, or demonstration purposes only. Production deployments should run on certified hardware with a proper Cisco service contract. | | What hardware architecture does the image target? | The “x” in the filename suggests an x86‑64 (Intel/AMD) build, which is the standard for QEMU/KVM environments. There are also ARM‑based XR images, but they have a different naming convention. | | Is the image compatible with other hypervisors (e.g., VMware, Hyper‑V)? | The qcow2 format is native to QEMU/KVM. For VMware, you would need to convert it to VMDK ( qemu-img convert -f qcow2 -O vmdk Xrv9k-fullk9-x-7.1.1.qcow2 Xrv9k.vmdk ). However, licensing terms still apply, and Cisco may not permit conversion for non‑KVM environments. | | How do I back up the router’s configuration? | Inside XR, use the admin save configuration command to write the running config to the internal flash. For a full VM backup, copy the qcow2 file while the VM is powered off, or use qemu-img snapshot to create a point‑in‑time snapshot. | | What is the difference between XR 7.1.1 and later releases? | XR 7.1.1 introduced enhanced segment routing , native BGP‑LDP interoperability , and improved telemetry . Later releases (7.2.x, 7.3.x) added SR‑v6 , P4 support , and enhanced security hardening . Choose the version that matches the feature set you need to test. | 3. Deploying in GNS3
Under network settings, configure the desired number of adapters (e.g., 8) and set the adapter type to for optimal performance. Deploying in EVE-NG Connect to your EVE-NG server via SSH or an SFTP client.
The Xrv9k-fullk9-x-7.1.1.qcow2 image is arguably the best virtual router available for Service Provider labs . It provides high-fidelity simulation of the ASR 9000 series, supporting advanced features like Segment Routing and Telemetry that are essential for modern certifications (CCIE SP).
Execute the deployment command. This template allocates 4 vCPUs, 16GB of RAM, and maps the network configuration:
Essential for EVE-NG to recognize the new node. /opt/unetlab/wrappers/unl_wrapper -a fixpermissions Use code with caution. 3. Deploying in GNS3