To run any network nodes, you must download and attach the correct , which contains the actual virtual machine images for IOSv, NX-OS, and ASA. Failing to download the correct file leaves you with an empty workbench.
If you go directly to software.cisco.com and search for "Cisco Modeling Labs," you will likely see the CML-Enterprise page and get a " service contract required " error. This is a very common mistake. For CML-Personal, you must be redirected via the Learning Network Store.
Before diving into the download process, it’s crucial to understand what the Reference Platform (refplat) ISO is. Cisco Modeling Labs is the software platform that provides the graphical user interface (GUI), the controller, and the virtualization framework that ties everything together. The CML server VM orchestrates the labs, but it cannot run any simulations on its own. cisco cml refplat iso download new
If you already have a CML server running and are just upgrading to a newer Refplat ISO, you do not need to rebuild your whole system. Log into your CML web dashboard. Navigate to the . Look for the Copy Refplat ISO to Disk feature. Upload your new ISO directly from your local machine.
If you are using the free tier of CML provided by Cisco DevNet for community learning, the software distribution links may differ slightly. To run any network nodes, you must download
: It provides foundational Cisco images like IOSv-L2 (switching) and IOSv (routing), alongside third-party tools like Ubuntu and Alpine Linux .
The Refplat ISO is a large image file containing the virtual disk images for various Cisco and open-source operating systems. When you install CML, the base software handles the user interface, API, and virtualization hypervisor. The Refplat ISO provides the actual "guest" operating systems that you drop into your simulation canvas. This is a very common mistake
After copying, wait for services to restart. Clicking "OK" too quickly during initial setup can cause failure.
Updating or downloading a new Cisco CML Refplat ISO is the best way to keep your home lab or corporate testing environment aligned with modern production environments. By safely downloading the package through Cisco Software Central, verifying its integrity, and copying the files directly to your VM's local storage, you ensure the fastest boot times and most reliable performance for your network simulations.