Cisco Cml Refplat Iso Download New -

Before we focus on the download process, let’s understand the ecosystem.

Cisco Modeling Labs (CML) is an on-premises or cloud-based network simulation tool that allows you to model Cisco IOS, IOS-XE, IOS-XR, NX-OS, and even third-party nodes. Unlike its predecessor (VIRL), CML offers better performance, a modern UI, and RESTful APIs for automation.

The REFPLAT ISO (Reference Platform) is the operating system image that runs the CML controller. Think of it as the brain of your virtual lab. It is a Linux-based appliance (often Ubuntu-derived) pre-loaded with:

Without the REFPLAT ISO, you cannot run CML. You may have node images like IOSv, ASAv, or XRv9k, but the REFPLAT orchestrates them.

This report outlines the official process for obtaining the newest Cisco CML Reference Platform ISO, which contains the pre-installed Cisco IOSv, IOSvL2, CSR1000v, ASAv, and guest OS images required to run CML-Personal (formerly VIRL) and CML-Enterprise offline deployments.

After booting, you must license CML.

Now you are ready to build your first lab.

Disclaimer: Cisco Modeling Labs and the Refplat ISO are proprietary software. Ensure you are compliant with Cisco’s Terms of Service and licensing agreements before downloading and deploying.

Warning: Avoid random websites offering “free cisco cml refplat iso download new.” These often contain malware, outdated versions, or violate Cisco’s licensing. They also fail to include required cryptographic keys.

To download the latest Cisco Modeling Labs (CML) Reference Platform (Refplat) ISO, you must access it through your official license portal rather than a general support page. 📥 How to Download the Latest Refplat ISO

Log in: Access the Cisco Learning Network Store using your CCO (Cisco Connect Online) ID.

Locate Your Purchase: Navigate to My Account > My Orders and find your active CML subscription (Personal, Personal Plus, or Free).

Access Software Downloads: Click the Download button next to your order. This redirects you to the specific software portal.

Select the File: Look for the latest release (e.g., CML 2.9) and find the Reference Platform .iso file (e.g., refplat-20241016-fcs.iso).

Note: New CML versions do not always require a new Refplat ISO; always check the release notes to see if a newer image set is available. 🛠️ Key Files for New Installations For a fresh deployment, you typically need two main files: Controller OVA: The base server virtual machine.

Refplat ISO: Contains the virtual OS images (IOSv, NX-OS, etc.) required to run lab nodes. 🔄 Post-Download: Copying ISO to Disk

Once you have the ISO, you must "register" the images within CML to use them in labs: Copy Refplat ISO to Disk - Cisco Modeling Labs v2.9

Here are three concise headline/description options you can use for web copy, a download page, or a forum post about obtaining the Cisco CML RefPlat ISO (new release). Pick one or combine elements.

Would you like these rewritten for a specific audience (sysadmin, sales page, or support ticket)?

[Related searches prepared]

Downloading the latest Cisco Modeling Labs (CML) Reference Platforms (Refplat) ISO is essential for accessing the virtual images (like IOSv, Cat8000V, and ASAv) needed to run your lab simulations. Whether you are using the new CML-Free tier or a paid subscription, the process follows specific paths through the Cisco ecosystem. Where to Download

Depending on your license type, use one of the following official portals: CML-Free Tier (New): First, register at the CML-Free Sign-up Page.

Navigate to Cisco Software Central and log in with your CCO ID.

Select Modeling Labs > CML-Free 2.8+ to find files like refplat-20241016-fcs-iso.zip. CML-Personal / Personal Plus: Log in to the Cisco Learning Network Store.

Go to My Account > My Orders and click the Download button next to your active order.

This redirects you to a specific Software Central page where no additional service contract is required. Enterprise / Education:

Access via Cisco Software Central directly by searching for "Modeling Labs". Key Files to Look For

Always download both the controller and the platform images: cisco cml refplat iso download new

CML Controller (OVA/ISO): The server software itself (e.g., cml2_2.8.0-6_amd64-32.ova).

Refplat ISO: The library of node images (e.g., refplat-20241016-fcs-iso.zip).

Note: There is a "normal" Refplat (standard images) and a "supplemental" Refplat (SD-WAN, FMCv, FTDv). Most users need the normal version first. Quick Setup Checklist

Verify Checksum: Refplat files are large; always verify the checksum after downloading to avoid corruption.

Unzip: If the Refplat is a .zip file, extract it before trying to mount it in your hypervisor.

Copy to Disk: Modern CML versions (v2.5+) require you to copy images from the mounted ISO to the local disk via the System Administration Cockpit under the CML2 > Maintenance section.

License Check: CML-Free supports up to 5 nodes without a paid license. Paid versions require a Registration Token found in your Cisco account. Cisco Modeling Labs - Free - Cisco DevNet

Download the files for CML-Free from Cisco's Software Central (SWC) site. You do not need to download all of the files from a CML- Cisco DevNet Copy Refplat ISO to Disk - Cisco Modeling Labs v2.9

The newest Cisco Modeling Labs (CML) reference platform ISO (refplat ISO) can be downloaded through the Cisco Software Central (SWC) or the Cisco Learning Network Store, depending on your license type . Where to Download

CML-Personal Users: Log into your Cisco Learning Network Store Account, find your active order under My Orders, and click Download to be redirected to the official software page .

CML-Free Tier Users: Register for access via the CML-Free Sign-up page. Once confirmed, you can download the OVA and the refplat ISO from Cisco Software Central .

Enterprise/Education Users: Navigate directly to Cisco Software Central and search for Modeling Labs under "Network Modeling" . Recent Release Information

As of early 2026, the current major versions are CML 2.8 and 2.9.

CML 2.9: Features a Free Tier allowing up to five nodes and includes the latest reference platform images for standard routing/switching .

CML 2.8.x: Introduced the initial Free Tier offering and updated images for FMCv and FTDv .

Supplemental ISO: Starting with version 2.7, some releases (like 2.7.0 and 2.8) include a supplemental refplat ISO containing larger images such as Catalyst SD-WAN . How to Install the New ISO Copy Refplat ISO to Disk - Cisco Modeling Labs v2.9

| Requirement | Detail | |-------------|--------| | Valid Cisco Smart Account | Entitlement: CML-Personal or CML-Enterprise subscription | | Contract / Subscription active | Must show “CML (Cisco Modeling Labs)” under Smart Software Licensing | | Access level | Download privileges for “Modeling Labs” software category |

Legal / Copyright Note
This content is for educational purposes. Cisco software requires a valid license. Unauthorized distribution of the RefPlat ISO violates Cisco's terms of use.

Cisco Modeling Labs (CML) requires a Reference Platform (refplat) ISO

to provide the virtual machine images (such as IOS, ASA, and Ubuntu) used in lab simulations. For current deployments (e.g., version 2.9), you must download this ISO alongside the controller OVA or bare-metal image. How to Download the New Refplat ISO

The download path depends on whether you are using the Personal, Enterprise, or the newer Free Tier version. For CML-Personal: Log in to your account at the Cisco Learning Network Store Find your active order in This redirects you to a specific page on software.cisco.com that bypasses general service contract requirements. Select the latest release (e.g., v2.9) and locate the Cisco Modeling Labs reference platform .iso file For CML-Free Tier: Register at the CML-Free Sign-up page Cisco Software Central and log in with your CCO ID. Search for "Modeling Labs" and select the Download the reference image ISO file (often provided as a that must be unzipped before use). For CML-Enterprise/Education: Navigate directly to Cisco Software Central (SWC) Cloud and Systems Management Network Modeling Modeling Labs Choose the latest release to find the ISO. Recent Updates in Refplat ISO (v2.9)

The latest reference platform images introduced significant additions for network testing: New Node Types: Includes support for IOL (IOS on Linux)

images, which are more resource-efficient than traditional virtual images. Expanded Library: The supplemental ISO now includes Catalyst 9800-CL Cloud Wireless Controller, Splunk Enterprise Docker Support:

Newer versions now facilitate the use of container images within labs. Installation Best Practices Copy Refplat ISO to Disk - Cisco Modeling Labs v2.9

To download the new Cisco Modeling Labs (CML) Reference Platform (refplat) ISO, you can access it through the Cisco Software Download portal. Recent updates, including the CML 2.8 Free Tier and version 2.9, have refined the process. How to Download the ISO

Log In: Sign in to the Cisco Software Central with your CCO ID.

Navigate: Search for "Modeling Labs" or follow the path: Cloud and Systems Management > Network Modeling > Modeling Labs. Before we focus on the download process, let’s

Select Version: Choose the latest stable release (e.g., 2.9 or the 2.8 Free Tier). Download Files:

Refplat ISO: Look for files named like refplat-20241016-fcs-iso.zip or similar. This contains the node images (IOS, ASAv, Ubuntu).

Note: For version 2.7+, there may be supplemental ISOs for Catalyst SD-WAN or ISE images.

Personal Account Access: If you purchased a personal license, you can also find the download button under "My Account" on the Cisco Learning Network Store. The Architect of Echoes

The download bar crawled with the agonizing patience of a glacier. At 98%, Elias drummed his fingers on the desk, the blue light of his monitor reflecting in his weary eyes. Outside, the city of Oakhaven was silent, but inside his workstation, a world was waiting to be born.

He was a "Ghost Architect." When a multinational’s backbone shattered or a bank’s security faltered, they called him. But Elias didn't work on live wires; he worked in the Echo.

The "Refplat" ISO finally clicked into place—the foundation of his latest ghost. With a few swift commands, he mounted the image. Within minutes, the sterile white dashboard of Cisco Modeling Labs bloomed to life. He dragged a virtual router onto the canvas, then another. Lines of green connectivity spanned between them like digital silk.

In this sandbox, gravity didn't exist, and mistakes didn't cost millions. He was building a replica of a high-security data center located four thousand miles away. He needed to find the "shadow" in their routing table—a tiny, intentional leak he suspected was an inside job.

He spun up an ASAv firewall and a cluster of Ubuntu nodes. "Talk to me," he whispered, his fingers flying across the mechanical keyboard.

By dawn, the simulation hit a snag. A loop. In the real world, this would have crashed the bank's entire Eastern seaboard branch. Here, it was just a red flickering icon. Elias smiled, leaned back, and sipped cold coffee. He had found the ghost in the machine before it could ever haunt the living. The download was complete, but his work was just beginning.

The latest Cisco Modeling Labs (CML) 2.9.1 (as of April 2026) continues to use a multi-ISO structure for its reference platforms (refplat)

. Key updates for the newest "refplat" downloads include the following: New Supplemental ISO Images Starting with release 2.9, Cisco transitioned to offering three separate refplat ISO files

for paid versions to manage large image sizes and specialized deployments: Cisco Learning Network Standard Refplat ISO : Includes core routing and switching images like IOSv, IOSv-L2, ASAv , and standard Linux host images. Supplemental Refplat ISO : Now includes images for Catalyst 9800-CL (Wireless Controller), Identity Services Engine (ISE) Splunk Enterprise Catalyst SD-WAN (formerly Viptela). Specialized ISE ISO : A dedicated ISO specifically for larger Cisco DevNet Key Platform Enhancements Docker Container Support

: CML 2.9 introduced native support for Docker container nodes, allowing users to run lightweight containerized applications alongside virtual network devices. IOL Node Support : Newer refplat images include IOL (IOS on Linux)

node types, which are significantly more resource-efficient than traditional VM-based images. Node Disk Image Cloning

: A new feature that allows administrators to clone existing node disk images for faster lab setup. OS Upgrade

: In-place upgrades for recent versions now migrate the underlying host OS to Ubuntu 24.04 LTS (Noble Numbat). Cisco DevNet Download and Installation : Files are available via the Cisco Software Central

portal. CML-Personal users can access their specific downloads through the Cisco Learning Network Store under "My Account". Application

: Once downloaded, the ISO must be mounted to the CML VM and then copied to the local disk using the "Copy Refplat ISO"

tool in the System Administration Cockpit to ensure images are available for lab nodes. Cisco DevNet mount and copy these new ISO files to your existing CML instance? Cisco Modeling Labs - Free - Cisco DevNet

The most significant new helpful feature related to the Cisco Modeling Labs (CML) "refplat" (Reference Platform) ISO is the introduction of native IOS on Linux (IOL) images. This allows you to run routers and switches as lightweight processes rather than full virtual machines (VMs), drastically reducing CPU and memory consumption while enabling faster boot times. Key Features of New Refplat ISO Releases

Recent updates to the refplat ISO (versions 2.7 through 2.9) have introduced several critical images and capabilities:

Expanded Image Library: The latest supplemental refplat ISOs now include: Catalyst 9800-CL Cloud Wireless Controller. Cisco Identity Services Engine (ISE) and Splunk Enterprise. FTDv and FMCv (Firepower) images. Catalyst SD-WAN images (Manager, Controller, and Edge).

Performance Improvements: Version 2.8 and later feature improved performance when copying reference platform images from a mounted ISO to the local disk.

Docker Container Support: CML 2.9 introduced a separate container ISO containing lightweight nodes like Chrome, Firefox, Nginx, and a WAN emulator.

IOL Node Support: IOL (IOS on Linux) images now support serial interfaces, allowing for classic serial-based lab scenarios with minimal resource overhead. Important Download & Installation Tips

Where to Download: Files are available via the Cisco Learning Network Store under your active order or through the Cisco Software Central site. Without the REFPLAT ISO, you cannot run CML

Local Disk Requirement: Starting with CML 2.5+, you must copy images from the ISO to the local disk; CML no longer runs images directly from a mounted ISO file. Use the "Copy Refplat ISO to Disk" button in the System Administration Cockpit to do this.

Verify Integrity: Because refplat ISO files are large, always verify the checksum before installation to avoid corrupted image deployments.

Free Tier Access: The CML-Free version provides a limited refplat ISO including IOL, IOL-L2, ASAv, and basic Linux hosts. Copy Refplat ISO to Disk - Cisco Modeling Labs v2.9

The Cisco Modeling Labs (CML) Reference Platforms (RefPlat) ISO is the backbone of any serious network simulation environment. This file contains the actual Cisco IOS images—such as IOSv, NX-OS, and ASAv—that run on top of the CML engine. If you are looking for the latest "cisco cml refplat iso download new" options, this guide covers everything from access requirements to installation. Why the RefPlat ISO is Essential

CML is sold as a platform (the dashboard and engine) and the node definitions (the software images). Without the Reference Platform ISO, your CML installation is just an empty shell. The "new" versions of this ISO are significant because they include: Updated IOS-XE (Cat8000v) images. New SD-WAN controller nodes. Optimized NX-OS 9000v footprints. Security patches for ASAv and Firepower (FTDv). How to Access the Latest Download

To get the official, newest RefPlat ISO, you must follow the authorized Cisco channels.

Cisco Learning Network Store: Most individual users obtain CML through a Personal or Personal Plus license. Once purchased, your access is tied to your Cisco Connection Online (CCO) ID.

Software Central: Navigate to the Cisco Software Download portal. Search for "Cisco Modeling Labs" and look for the "Reference Platforms" section.

Check the Version: Ensure the ISO version matches your CML controller version (e.g., CML 2.7 requires the 2.7.x RefPlat ISO for full compatibility). Step-by-Step: Adding the New ISO to CML

Once you have downloaded the large .iso file (often exceeding 30GB), you need to mount it to your CML virtual machine. For VMware ESXi/Workstation: Upload the ISO to your datastore or local folder. Edit the CML VM settings. Select the CD/DVD drive and "Connect at Power On." Path the drive to your new RefPlat ISO. For Bare Metal:

Copy the ISO to the /var/local/virl2/dropfolder directory via SCP.

Use the CML system administration cockpit (port 9090) to mount the file permanently to the /var/local/virl2/refplat directory. What’s New in Recent RefPlat Releases?

Cisco has transitioned from the older "VIRL" style images to modern, 64-bit virtual platforms. The newest downloads typically feature: IOSv & IOSv-L2: Stable images for R&S labs. CML-IOS-XRv 9000: For service provider simulations.

Ubuntu Nodes: Pre-configured Linux nodes for testing automation scripts (Python, Ansible) within the topology.

Unmanaged Switches: Low-resource nodes for simple connectivity. Troubleshooting Common Download Issues

Slow Download Speeds:The RefPlat ISO is massive. Use a download manager that supports multi-threading or "resume" capabilities, as Cisco’s servers may timeout on standard browser downloads.

Verification:Always check the SHA512 checksum provided on the Cisco download page against your local file. A corrupted ISO will cause "Node Definition" errors inside CML, preventing your virtual routers from booting.

Disk Space:Ensure your CML host has at least 50GB of free space before attempting the download and extraction. The ISO stays mounted, so it consumes storage permanently.

By keeping your CML Reference Platform ISO updated, you ensure that your lab environment mirrors the latest features and command syntax found in modern production data centers and enterprise networks.

Getting Started with the New Cisco CML Refplat ISO: A Quick Guide

If you are setting up or upgrading your Cisco Modeling Labs (CML) environment, the Reference Platform (Refplat) ISO is the most critical piece of the puzzle. This single file contains all the virtualized Cisco operating system images—like IOSv, IOSvL2, and NX-OS—that you need to build your network topologies.

The latest release of CML (v2.9) introduces a shift in how these images are handled: they must now be copied to the local disk of your CML instance rather than just being mounted as a virtual CD-ROM. Where to Download the New Refplat ISO

You can find the Refplat ISO on the same Software Download page where you get the CML controller OVA or ISO.

Standard Refplat ISO: The primary file (e.g., refplat-20241223-fcs-iso.zip) containing all "normal" router and switch images.

Supplemental Refplat ISO: A separate file containing larger or specialized images like Cisco SD-WAN and C9800-CL WLC (for v2.9+).

Personal Edition Users: Access your downloads via the Cisco Learning Network Store under your order history. Quick Setup: Adding the Images to Your Lab

Once you have downloaded and extracted the ISO, follow these steps to make the images available in your dashboard: Copy Refplat ISO to Disk - Cisco Modeling Labs v2.9