A lightweight version (e.g., nxos64-cs-lite ) with a reduced memory footprint, ideal for labbing features like VXLAN EVPN without requiring massive amounts of RAM. 3. Installation Steps in GNS3
Recent versions of NX-OS offer several variants depending on your hardware resources:
Search for "Nexus 9000v" or "Nexus 9300v/9500v" to find .qcow2 (for KVM/QEMU) or .ova (for VMware) files.
Once you have the image file (typically a .qcow2 file like nexus9300v.10.x.qcow2 ), follow these steps:
To simulate data center environments in , you need a virtualized Cisco Nexus image. The most common and reliable method is using the Cisco NX-OSv 9000 series, which provides a high-fidelity simulation of the NX-OS control plane. 1. Where to Download the Nexus Image
The standard virtual platforms simulating modular and non-modular chassis.
Cisco Nexus images are proprietary and require a valid Cisco.com (CCO) account tied to a service contract for legal downloads.
While GNS3 does not host the images themselves, you should download the official NX-OSv 9000 appliance template (.gns3a) to automate the setup process. 2. Choosing the Right Image