| Resource | Recommended | |----------|--------------| | CPU cores per node | 1 (single-threaded) | | RAM per node | 512 MB | | Disk space | ~60 MB per image (not per instance) | | Concurrent nodes | Up to 20 on a modern i7 with 16GB RAM | | Host OS | Linux (Ubuntu 20.04+), Windows 10/11, macOS 10.15+ |
This image is far lighter than IOS-XE (which needs 3GB+ RAM). You can run multiple 15.5T nodes on a laptop. | Resource | Recommended | |----------|--------------| | CPU
| Item | Description |
|------|-------------|
| File name | i86bi-linux-l3-adventerprisek9-ms.155-2.t.bin |
| Platform | Cisco IOS on 64‑bit x86 (i86) routers that run the Linux‑based IOS kernel (e.g., ISR G2, ASR 1000, C800 series, Catalyst 9K/10K in router mode). |
| Feature set | Advanced Enterprise Services (adventerprisek9‑ms) – includes routing, security, QoS, IPv6, MPLS, BGP, OSPF, EIGRP, etc. |
| Image type | Full‑system (MS) – “MS” stands for “Metro‑Switch”/“Multilayer Switch” and includes both Layer‑2 and Layer‑3 capabilities. |
| Version | IOS 15.5(2) – major release 15.5, minor release 2. |
| File size | Roughly 250‑300 MB (compressed). |
| File extension | .bin – binary image ready to be loaded via TFTP/FTP/SCP/USB or the Cisco Catalyst Switch/Router web UI. |
| License | Cisco‑provided, proprietary software – you must have a valid Cisco Smart Net or a Bring‑Your‑Own‑License (BYOL) entitlement that covers this exact image (or a newer one that supersedes it). | This image is far lighter than IOS-XE (which needs 3GB+ RAM)
cisco-iol-downloader --image I86bi-linux-l3-adventerprisek9-ms.155-2.t.bin --extra
Output:
Downloading image... OK
MD5: a1b2c3... matched
Extra files extracted to: ./extra_155-2/
License file: ./extra_155-2/license/iourc
Understanding the file name helps you know exactly what you are deploying. Let's break it down: | Item | Description | |------|-------------| | File
| Component | Meaning | |-----------|---------| | i86bi | Intel 86 Binary Image – runs on x86 architecture (standard PCs, servers, or Eve-NG/GNS3 hosts). | | linux | Runs as a process on a Linux host (not bare metal). | | l3 | Layer 3 image – full routing capabilities (OSPF, EIGRP, BGP, etc.). | | adventerprisek9 | Advanced Enterprise feature set with K9 (cryptographic/security features enabled). | | ms | Mainline, Standard release (as opposed to early deployment). | | 155-2.t | Version 15.5(2)T – a Technology release with newer features. | | .bin | Binary executable file. |