QEMU acts as a hypervisor within EVE-NG, allowing you to run virtual machines of actual networking hardware. Unlike lightweight containers, QEMU images run the exact software found on physical routers, switches, and firewalls. Key Terminology
QEMU images represent the standard for modern network emulation. They run the exact binary code used on physical hardware switches, routers, and firewalls. In EVE-NG, every QEMU image must reside in its own specifically named folder inside the /opt/unetlab/addons/qemu/ directory. Where to Download EVE-NG QEMU Images
Unlike Docker containers or lightweight virtualization, EVE-NG does not provide the operating systems themselves. You are responsible for sourcing, preparing, and uploading the QEMU images. This guide will walk you through everything—from legal sources to step-by-step upload commands.
EVE-NG uses QEMU (Quick Emulator) to run virtual machine versions of network devices. These images are typically in .qcow2 or .vmdk format, simulating the hardware operating system (IOS, JUNOS, EOS) of a real device. eve-ng qemu images download
A paid annual subscription that grants legal access to a massive library of Cisco reference platforms (IOSv, IOSv-L2, NX-OSv, XRv, ASAv). You can extract these official .qcow2 images and import them directly into EVE-NG.
For large or complex topologies, more resources will be necessary.
If you use EVE-NG Pro, many images have specific naming requirements that differ from the Community Edition. QEMU acts as a hypervisor within EVE-NG, allowing
mv /tmp/virtioa.qcow2 /opt/unetlab/addons/qemu/csr1000vng-17.03.04/virtioa.qcow2 Use code with caution. Step 3: Fix Permissions (Critical Step)
The Ultimate Guide to EVE-NG QEMU Images: How to Find, Download, and Set Them Up
Configure the allocated RAM, CPU cores, and Ethernet interfaces according to vendor recommendations. Click , right-click the node, and hit Start . 6. Troubleshooting Common QEMU Issues They run the exact binary code used on
EVE-NG relies on rigid directory and file naming conventions to map QEMU images to their respective templates in the web user interface. If your folders or files are named incorrectly, the nodes will either not appear or fail to boot. 1. Folder Naming Rules
Once downloaded, you cannot simply copy and paste images into EVE-NG. They must follow a specific path structure: /opt/unetlab/addons/qemu/ . Step-by-Step Installation Process
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