Download [2021] All Eve-ng Images
EVE-NG does not officially provide a built-in feature or "button" to download copyrighted vendor images due to legal and licensing restrictions. Instead, users must manually acquire and upload images to their server. How to Acquire and Load Images To populate your lab, you typically follow these steps:
Acquire Images: Legally obtain network appliance images from vendor sites like Cisco (e.g., via Cisco Modeling Labs/VIRL).
Transfer to EVE-NG: Use an SCP/SFTP client like WinSCP or FileZilla to upload images to specific directories on your EVE-NG server. QEMU images: /opt/unetlab/addons/qemu/ Cisco IOL images: /opt/unetlab/addons/iol/bin/ Dynamips images: /opt/unetlab/addons/dynamips/
Fix Permissions: Always run the following command from the EVE-NG CLI after uploading new images to make them visible and usable: /opt/unetlab/wrappers/unl_wrapper -a fixpermissions Use code with caution. Copied to clipboard Common Workarounds & Alternatives
While no "Download All" button exists in the official software, the community often uses these methods to streamline the process:
Torrent Files: Some community resources provide torrent files containing large collections of images pre-organized into the correct folder structures.
PnetLab (Alternative): A similar platform called PnetLab includes a built-in server where users can browse and download many images directly from the GUI. Download All Eve-ng Images
Git Updates: You can update EVE-NG templates, icons, and configuration scripts via Git, though this does not include the actual router/switch images.
For official step-by-step guides on specific vendors, refer to the EVE-NG Documentation How-To section. Add Network Device Images to EVE-NG from CML
Downloading All EVE-NG Images: A Comprehensive Guide
Introduction
EVE-NG (Emulated Virtual Environment - Next Generation) is a popular network emulation platform used by network engineers, administrators, and students to design, configure, and test network scenarios in a virtual environment. EVE-NG supports a wide range of network devices from various vendors, including Cisco, Juniper, and MikroTik. One of the most significant advantages of EVE-NG is its ability to support a vast library of images from different vendors, which can be downloaded and used to create complex network topologies. In this essay, we will discuss the process of downloading all EVE-NG images and explore the benefits and challenges associated with it.
Why Download EVE-NG Images?
Downloading EVE-NG images is essential for network engineers and administrators who want to create customized network scenarios for testing, training, or educational purposes. Having access to a wide range of images from various vendors allows users to design and configure complex network topologies that mimic real-world environments. This feature is particularly useful for students and professionals preparing for certification exams, such as Cisco's CCNA or CCNP.
How to Download EVE-NG Images
Downloading EVE-NG images is a straightforward process that requires a few simple steps:
- Access the EVE-NG Website: First, navigate to the EVE-NG website (https://www.eve-ng.net/) and click on the "Downloads" tab.
- Create an Account: If you haven't already, create an account on the EVE-NG website. This will give you access to the download section.
- Browse the Image Library: Once logged in, browse the EVE-NG image library, which is categorized by vendor and device type.
- Select and Download Images: Select the images you want to download and click on the "Download" button. You can download individual images or multiple images at once.
Challenges and Limitations
While downloading EVE-NG images is a relatively simple process, there are some challenges and limitations to be aware of:
- Image Availability: Not all images are available for download, and some vendors may restrict access to certain images due to licensing agreements or other limitations.
- Image Compatibility: EVE-NG images may not be compatible with all versions of the EVE-NG software, so users need to ensure that they download images that are compatible with their version of EVE-NG.
- Storage Space: EVE-NG images can be large, and users need to have sufficient storage space on their servers or laptops to store the images.
Benefits of Downloading EVE-NG Images
The benefits of downloading EVE-NG images are numerous:
- Flexibility: Having access to a wide range of images from various vendors allows users to create customized network scenarios that meet their specific needs.
- Cost-Effective: Downloading EVE-NG images can be more cost-effective than purchasing physical devices or using online simulators.
- Improved Learning: Using EVE-NG images can improve learning outcomes by allowing students to practice configuring and troubleshooting network devices in a virtual environment.
Conclusion
Downloading all EVE-NG images can be a valuable resource for network engineers, administrators, and students who want to create customized network scenarios for testing, training, or educational purposes. While there are some challenges and limitations to be aware of, the benefits of downloading EVE-NG images far outweigh the drawbacks. By following the steps outlined in this essay, users can easily download EVE-NG images and take advantage of the flexibility, cost-effectiveness, and improved learning outcomes that they offer.
Fix permissions (critical step):
/opt/unetlab/wrappers/unl_wrapper -a fixpermissions
4) Standard download + import workflow (prescriptive)
- Create a working folder on your management PC (e.g., ~/eve-images).
- Download image files from vendor/community source into that folder. Use wget/curl/aria2 for reliability, or BitTorrent where available. Example (aria2):
aria2c -x16 -s16 "URL" - If compressed (.gz/.zip), decompress:
gunzip filename.qcow2.gz unzip filename.zip - Verify checksums when provided:
sha256sum filename.qcow2 - Rename per EVE-NG naming conventions if needed (check image install guide for each OS). Example:
- Cisco IOSv -> iosv-15.4.2019.qcow2
- Upload to EVE-NG server via SCP/SFTP/WinSCP into the correct directory (example paths):
/opt/unetlab/addons/qemu/+ vendor folder (e.g.,iosv/,csr1000v/)
Example SCP:
scp filename.qcow2 root@EVE-IP:/tmp/ ssh root@EVE-IP "mv /tmp/filename.qcow2 /opt/unetlab/addons/qemu/iosv/" - On EVE-NG host, set ownership and permissions and fix image:
chown -R root:root /opt/unetlab/addons/qemu/iosv/ /opt/unetlab/wrappers/unl_wrapper -a fixpermissions - Create or update the image template in EVE-GUI when required and add device to lab.
Example: Using eve-ng-image-toolkit (Hypothetical script)
Note: Always review scripts before running as root.
# 1. Clone the script repository
cd /root
git clone https://github.com/community/eve-ng-image-toolkit.git
cd eve-ng-image-toolkit
Part 2: Where to Legally Download EVE-NG Images
You cannot get official Cisco/Juniper images from EVE-NG directly. Use these sources:
Part 2: The Legal Reality – Why You Can't "Download All Eve-ng Images" from One Link
If you see a website offering a 50GB zip file called "ALL_EVE_NG_IMAGES.rar", it is almost certainly pirated. Using such files: EVE-NG does not officially provide a built-in feature
- Violates vendor licenses (Cisco, Juniper, etc.).
- Can contain malware (since EVE-NG images are QEMU disks, they can hide rootkits).
- Will not be updated with security patches.
The correct approach: You must download images directly from the vendor using valid credentials (often a support contract or free developer account).