If you want to build a better network lab, managing your QEMU images efficiently is the most important step. Rather than just searching for random downloads, a "better" approach focuses on proper naming, optimized file formats, and official documentation to ensure stability. 1. Where to Source Images
The most reliable way to get "better" images is to use official vendor downloads rather than third-party mirrors which may contain bugs or malware.
Official Vendor Support: Download .qcow2, .vmdk, or .iso files directly from sites like Cisco Software Central, Juniper, or Arista.
Open Source Alternatives: For lightweight testing, use official Cloud Images from Ubuntu or Debian, which are pre-configured for virtual environments. 2. The "Golden Rule" of Naming
EVE-NG will not recognize your image unless the folder and file names follow a strict format.
Folder Names: Must start with a specific prefix followed by a hyphen (e.g., linux- for Ubuntu, asav- for Cisco ASA).
File Names: Inside the folder, the image file must be renamed to a specific system name, usually virtioa.qcow2 or hda.qcow2, depending on the node type. 3. Step-by-Step Installation Guide To get your images running "better" and faster:
Transfer the Image: Use an SCP client like WinSCP to connect to your EVE-NG IP address.
Navigate to the Directory: Go to /opt/unetlab/addons/qemu/ on your EVE-NG server.
Create a Unique Folder: Create a folder using the required prefix (e.g., /opt/unetlab/addons/qemu/linux-ubuntu-22.04/).
Upload and Rename: Upload your image (e.g., ubuntu.qcow2) into that folder and rename it to virtioa.qcow2.
Fix Permissions: This is the most common reason for lab failures. Run the following command in the EVE-NG CLI: /opt/unetlab/wrappers/unl_wrapper -a fixpermissions Use code with caution. Copied to clipboard 4. Pro-Tips for Optimization eveng qemu images download better
Use .qcow2 Format: If your download is an .iso or .vmdk, use the qemu-img convert command to change it to .qcow2. This allows for features like "Thin Provisioning" (saving disk space).
Check the Template: Before adding a node in the EVE-NG web UI, check the EVE-NG Documentation to see exactly what prefix and filename are required for that specific vendor. Linux images - - EVE-NG
Optimizing Your EVE-NG Lab: A Guide to Better QEMU Image Management If you're building a network lab in , the quality and preparation of your QEMU images
determine whether your simulations run smoothly or crash your server. While EVE-NG doesn't provide copyrighted vendor images directly, knowing where to get them and how to optimize them is the secret to a high-performance lab. 1. Where to Source High-Quality Images Official Vendor Sites
: The safest and most stable images come directly from vendors like Cisco (CML/VIRL) Community Repositories : Sites like GitHub (hegdepavankumar)
offer curated lists and naming conventions, which are vital for EVE-NG to recognize the image correctly. Cloud-Init Images : For Linux nodes, use "Cloud Images" (like Ubuntu Cloud Images
). These are pre-optimized for virtualization and boot much faster than standard ISO installs. 2. Best Practices for "Better" Downloads & Setup Disk Images — QEMU documentation
To download and set up QEMU images for EVE-NG effectively, you must follow strict naming conventions and file structures, as EVE-NG does not provide copyrighted vendor images directly 1. Acquiring QEMU Images
Because EVE-NG is a multi-vendor platform, you must source images from official vendor sites or community repositories: Official Sources: Download KVM/QEMU images directly from vendors like Cloud & Open Source: You can use to pull ready-to-use cloud images for directly into your server. Community Packs: Some third-party sites offer pre-organized EVE-NG image collections , though these are not official. 2. Preparing the Image Folder Each image must reside in a specific folder under /opt/unetlab/addons/qemu/ . The folder name must start with a pre-defined prefix: Folder Prefix Examples: Cisco ASAv: asav-9.16.1 Juniper vSRX: vsrxng-19.2R1.8 win-10-Pro Reference: Always check the Official EVE-NG Naming Table to ensure the prefix is correct. 3. Uploading and Renaming
Optimized Guide: How to Get Better EVE-NG QEMU Images Downloading and setting up QEMU images for EVE-NG can be a bottleneck in building your home lab. While EVE-NG does not provide copyrighted images directly, you can streamline the process by using alternative discovery methods and following strict naming conventions to avoid common "missing image" errors. 1. Faster Discovery via PnetLab Integration
One of the most efficient "hacks" for finding non-proprietary or common images is leveraging PnetLab’s built-in search functionality. PnetLab is architecturally similar to EVE-NG and includes a server with readily available images. If you want to build a better network
Search and Pull: You can use SSH to search for images (Cisco, Huawei, Fortinet, Windows) directly in PnetLab and use the pull command to download them.
Migration: Once downloaded, you can use WinSCP to move the .qcow2 files from the PnetLab directory to your EVE-NG server. 2. Sourcing Official Cisco Images
To ensure stability and legal compliance, it is best to download images through official channels like Cisco Modeling Labs (CML).
Log in to your Cisco account and navigate to CML/VIRL downloads.
Download the iOSv or iOSvL2 images, which are already optimized for QEMU environments. 3. Essential Post-Download Optimization
Simply downloading an image isn't enough; you must follow the EVE-NG QEMU Naming Table to make it visible in the GUI.
Correct Folder Naming: All folders must be placed in /opt/unetlab/addons/qemu/. The folder name must start with the specific vendor prefix (e.g., linux-, firepower6-, acs-).
File Renaming: Inside the folder, the hard drive file must be renamed to a supported format like hda.qcow2 or virtioa.qcow2.
Fixing Permissions: After every upload or download, you must run the following command via the EVE-NG CLI to allow the web GUI to launch the node: /opt/unetlab/wrappers/unl_wrapper -a fixpermissions Use code with caution. Copied to clipboard 4. Advanced: Customizing and Committing Changes
If you need a specific set of tools on a Linux or Windows image, you can "commit" changes to the base image so they persist every time you drag a new node onto your topology.
Identify POD ID: Use the User Management section in the EVE-NG GUI to find your POD ID (usually 0 for admin). Connect via SSH: Open Putty or your terminal
Commit Command: Run qemu-img commit virtioa.qcow2 to save your current lab state as the new default for that image. How to load images - - EVE-NG
I’m not sure what you mean—I'll assume you want a full review comparing EVE-NG vs. QEMU images and guidance on downloading/using them. I'll provide a concise, structured review, plus practical download/usage tips and recommendations.
Do not download these large files on your Windows/Mac laptop and then upload them via the EVE-NG GUI. That is inefficient. Download directly to the EVE-NG server.
Connect via SSH: Open Putty or your terminal and SSH into your EVE-NG IP address.
ssh root <eve-ng-ip>
# Default password: eve
Navigate to the Image Directory: EVE-NG stores QEMU images here:
cd /opt/unetlab/addons/qemu/
Create the Folder Structure:
Every image needs a specific folder name based on the Naming Convention:
Manufacturer-ImageName-Version
mkdir -p fortinet-FG-v7.2.4
cd fortinet-FG-v7.2.4
Download with Wget or Curl:
Use wget to pull the file directly.
wget <LINK_TO_IMAGE_FILE>
EVENG 5.0 (in beta) introduces a built-in Image Hub. Instead of downloading and manually moving files, you can:
Until then, the manual methods above remain essential.
Also, look out for cowbuilder and debootstrap integration—allowing you to build custom Linux QEMU images from scratch inside EVENG, ensuring you never have to download untrusted images again.
Juniper uses a two-disk system:
virtioa.qcow2 (for the main OS)virtiob.qcow2 (for metadata)Never mix them up. Download Juniper’s vmx-bundle and extract carefully.
Examples: