Iosxrvk9demo613qcow2 -
Each overlay file starts as just a few kilobytes and grows only as the router writes changes (configurations, logs, temporary files). To create a new VM:
: While CML usually comes with its own images, you can manually import QCOW2 files to test specific versions. Resource Requirements iosxrvk9demo613qcow2
GNS3 simplifies image ingestion through automated marketplace appliance templates ( .gns3a ). Cisco IOS XRv - GNS3 Each overlay file starts as just a few
| Component | Meaning | Significance | | :--- | :--- | :--- | | | IOS XRv Router | This identifies the virtualized version of Cisco’s IOS XR operating system. Unlike traditional Cisco routers that run on specialized hardware, IOS XRv is designed to run on standard x86 servers. | | k9 | Encryption (3DES/AES) | The "k9" designation indicates that the image includes strong encryption capabilities (3DES and AES), which are required for secure VPN connections, SSH, and other cryptographic functions. Images without this marking may have encryption limited or removed due to export restrictions. | | demo | Demo / Trial Version | This marks the image as a demonstration or evaluation copy. Demo images are typically free to download and use for learning, but they come with limitations such as throughput caps (e.g., 2 Mbps) or restricted feature sets. Full-production images require a paid license. | | 613 | Version 6.1.3 | This refers to Cisco IOS XR software release 6.1.3. Version numbers follow Cisco’s standard scheme where the first digit (6) indicates the major release, the second digit (1) indicates the minor release, and the third digit (3) is the maintenance or patch level. | | qcow2 | File Format | QEMU Copy-On-Write version 2—the native disk image format for KVM/QEMU virtualization. QCOW2 supports features like snapshots, compression, encryption, and thin provisioning, making it ideal for virtual machine management. | Cisco IOS XRv - GNS3 | Component |
For official guides and latest updates, you can refer to the Cisco IOS XRv documentation configuration steps for a specific platform like EVE-NG or GNS3? Cisco IOS XRv - GNS3 5 Apr 2026 —
Support for SSH, Netconf/Yang (essential for network automation training), and SNMP.
Remember that in IOS XR, changes are made in the candidate configuration and do not take effect until you type commit . Limitations to Consider