Eve-ng Qemu Images _verified_ Download (Browser)
Downloading and setting up QEMU images for EVE-NG involves obtaining vendor-specific software and correctly formatting it within the EVE-NG file system. EVE-NG does not provide copyrighted vendor images (like Cisco, Palo Alto, or Juniper) directly for download. You must acquire these from official vendor sites or authorized repositories. 1. Obtain Your Image
To legally obtain images, you should use official vendor support accounts:
Cisco: Images such as vIOS or ASAv can be downloaded if you have a Cisco Learning Labs or VIRL/CML subscription.
Palo Alto: Download KVM-based images (e.g., .qcow2 files) from the Palo Alto Customer Support Portal.
Linux: You can find "ready-to-go" packs or create your own using Ubuntu ISOs. 2. Prepare the Image Folder
EVE-NG is very strict about folder and file naming. Images must be placed in /opt/unetlab/addons/qemu/.
Folder Naming: Must follow a specific prefix (e.g., asav-, paloalto-, linux-) followed by the version. Example: /opt/unetlab/addons/qemu/asav-9.12.1/
File Naming: The virtual disk file inside the folder must be named correctly, typically virtioa.qcow2 or hda.qcow2. 3. Upload and Deploy
Transfer: Use an SCP/FTP client (like WinSCP or FileZilla) to move the folder from your PC to the /opt/unetlab/addons/qemu/ directory on your EVE-NG server.
Fix Permissions: This is a critical step for the image to show up in the web interface. Run the following command in the EVE-NG CLI: /opt/unetlab/wrappers/unl_wrapper -a fixpermissions Use code with caution. Copied to clipboard eve-ng qemu images download
Add Node: Open your EVE-NG web browser, right-click on the canvas, select Node, and your newly added image should now be listed in blue.
For detailed, vendor-specific naming conventions, refer to the official EVE-NG QEMU Image Namings guide. Linux images - - EVE-NG
To download and set up QEMU images for EVE-NG, you generally need to acquire the virtual disk files (typically
) from the vendor's official support portal or create them from ISO files. Article: The Ultimate Guide to EVE-NG QEMU Images
EVE-NG (Emulated Virtual Environment-Next Generation) relies on QEMU to run powerful virtual machines for networking labs. While EVE-NG provides the platform, users are responsible for providing the images due to licensing restrictions. 1. Where to Acquire Images
Images are rarely available for "one-click" download directly from the EVE-NG site. Instead, use these sources: Official Vendor Portals : Download KVM/QEMU-ready images directly from if you have a valid support contract. Community Collections
: Many users utilize community-maintained torrents that bundle pre-configured images for various vendors. Custom Creation
: You can create your own Linux or Windows images using standard ISO files within the EVE-NG environment. 2. Image Compatibility
EVE-NG supports a massive library of vendors. Common images include: : ASAv, CSR1000v, Nexus 9000v, and vIOS. : Palo Alto VM-Series, Fortigate, and Checkpoint. Open Source : Ubuntu, CentOS, and VyOS. 3. How to Load Images into EVE-NG Once you have your image file (e.g., virtioa.qcow2 ), follow these steps: Create the Directory : Every image must live in a specific folder under /opt/unetlab/addons/qemu/ . The folder name follow the strict EVE-NG naming convention (e.g., asav-9.14.1 Upload the File : Use an SFTP client like to move your image file into the newly created folder. Fix Permissions Downloading and setting up QEMU images for EVE-NG
: This is the most critical step. Run the following command in the EVE-NG CLI to ensure the platform can "see" and execute the image: /opt/unetlab/wrappers/unl_wrapper -a fixpermissions 4. Technical Requirements Intel VT-x/EPT
: This must be enabled in your BIOS (and your hypervisor if running EVE-NG as a VM) to run QEMU nodes. Naming Consistency : If your file is named something like image123.qcow2
, you must rename it to the default expected by the EVE-NG template (usually virtioa.qcow2
Overall Verdict: ⭐⭐⭐⭐ (4/5) – Powerful but requires some effort
What’s good:
- Official images work flawlessly – EVE-NG provides tested QEMU images for many common network OSes (Cisco vIOS, Arista vEOS, Juniper vMX, Fortinet FortiGate, etc.).
- Community support is strong – Many pre-built images are shared via EVE-NG community forums, with step-by-step instructions.
- Flexibility – You can also convert your own images (e.g., from VMDK/VDI to QEMU) for custom lab needs.
What’s frustrating:
- No central, free library – Unlike GNS3 Marketplace, you often have to hunt through forum posts, Google Drive links, or torrents. Some images require vendor accounts (e.g., Cisco CML license).
- Outdated links – Community-shared links often break, forcing you to search newer threads.
- Manual setup required – Even after downloading, you must rename files correctly (
virtioa.qcow2,hda.qcow2), set permissions, and sometimes tweak.ymlfiles.
Security & legal note:
Many “free” downloads violate vendor EULAs. EVE-NG strongly recommends using official images from your own licensed software (e.g., Cisco VIRL/CML, Juniper vJunos-switch). Third-party pre-built images may contain malware or backdoors.
5. Comparison: Community Images vs. Manual Creation
| Feature | Downloaded Community Images | Manual Creation (From ISO) | | :--- | :--- | :--- | | Speed | Fast (Download & Drop) | Slow (Install, configure, convert) | | Legality | Grey Area (Copyright Risk) | Fully Legal (if licensed) | | Security | Risk of backdoors/config residue | Secure (You control the build) | | Version Control | Limited to what is uploaded | Access to any version vendor offers | | Technical Skill | Low (Basic Linux CLI) | High (Requires QEMU conversion knowledge) |
2. Where to Download QEMU Images
Part 3: Official & Trusted Sources for EVE-NG QEMU Images Download
Here is a curated list of legitimate sources for downloading QEMU images.
| Vendor/Platform | Image Type | Source URL | Notes | |----------------|------------|------------|-------| | Cisco | IOSv, IOS XRv, CSR1000v | Cisco.com (SmartNet/Contract required) | Most common for CCIE; requires login. | | Arista | vEOS | Arista.com (free registration) | 30-day evaluation. | | Juniper | vMX, vSRX, vQFX | Juniper.net (free trial) | Requires account. | | Palo Alto | PA-VM | Support portal (trial available) | For firewalls. | | Fortinet | FortiGate-VM | Fortinet.com | Free 15-day trial. | | VyOS | VyOS (routing) | vyos.io | 100% free, open-source. | | pfSense | pfSense CE | pfsense.org | Free, open-source firewall. | | Linux | Ubuntu, CentOS, Alpine | Official OS websites | Standard cloud images work best. | | Windows | Windows Server/10 | Microsoft Evaluation Center | 180-day trial. | Official images work flawlessly – EVE-NG provides tested
Pro Tip: For the best "eve-ng qemu images download" experience, always search for "ready-to-use QEMU image for EVE-NG" on vendor sites or community forums like the official EVE-NG Community Hub.
5. Directory Structure and Upload
Correct placement of files is critical for EVE-NG to recognize the image in the "Add Node" wizard.
Standard Path:
/opt/unetlab/addons/qemu/
Naming Convention:
EVE-NG identifies the node type by the folder name. The syntax generally follows:
[Vendor]-[Product]-[Version]
Example Structure for a FortiGate Firewall:
/opt/unetlab/addons/qemu/
└── fortinet-FortiGate-7.0/
├── hda.qcow2 (The virtual hard drive)
└── config_thumb (Generated by EVE-NG, ignore this)
``
Where to Download QEMU Images
Final Verdict
Score: 8/10 (for availability) | 9/10 (for functionality)
Downloading QEMU images for EVE-NG is the standard way users populate their labs. It is highly recommended for students and freelancers who need rapid access to technologies without complex setup processes.
Recommendations:
- Start with the Forum: The EVE-NG forums are the most reliable source. Look for posts by moderators or highly ranked members.
- Check the "WinSCP" Method: Learn how to use WinSCP. It is the lifeblood of managing EVE-NG images.
- Stick to Major Vendors: Images for Cisco (IOSv, IOS-XE, CSR), Fortinet, and Palo Alto are widely available and stable. Niche vendor images (like specialized SD-WAN appliances) are often harder to find or require manual building.
Warning: Do not update the underlying EVE-NG kernel/OS without checking if your images are compatible, though major version updates usually preserve the /opt directory where images live.
EVE-NG requires users to independently source QEMU (.qcow2) images for network emulation, as the platform does not provide copyrighted vendor files. Proper installation involves placing images in /opt/unetlab/addons/qemu/ with specific naming conventions, followed by executing the fixpermissions command. For detailed naming conventions and image preparation, refer to EVE-NG Documentation. Qemu image namings - - EVE-NG



