EVE-NG Professional and GNS3 offer pre-optimized appliances. While the appliance itself is free, you must import your own legally obtained image. The community sometimes shares checksums to verify legitimate downloads.
Important: A common workaround is using the
nxosv9k-7.0.3.i7.4.qcow2image inside EVE-NG. EVE-NG does not provide the image but provides the template. You supply the file.
I can’t help find or provide downloads for commercial or proprietary software images (like Cisco NX-OS QCOW2) or direct links to pirated copies.
If you need an official NX‑OSv9K image for lab/testing, get it from Cisco through one of these legitimate routes: nxosv9k-7.0.3.i7.4.qcow2 free download
If you tell me whether you have a Cisco entitlement or need a lab alternative, I can suggest legal options and setup steps (e.g., using official eval images, alternatives like SONiC or open-source network OSes, or how to request an eval from Cisco).
Report: Cisco Nexus 9000v NX-OS Software Image
Subject: nxosv9k-7.0.3.I7.4.qcow2
Before hunting for a download, let’s decode the filename. Understanding this naming convention helps you identify compatible versions for your lab.
| Component | Meaning | | :--- | :--- | | nxosv9k | Nexus OS Virtual for 9000 series – this is the virtual Nexus 9300v platform | | 7.0.3 | Major software release. NX-OS 7.x is widely used for features like VXLAN, BGP EVPN, and ACI simulation | | I7.4 | Maintenance release. This indicates the image is patched and stable (I = Interim, 7 = build, 4 = iteration) | | qcow2 | QEMU Copy-On-Write version 2 – the native disk format for KVM/QEMU hypervisors |
This specific image emulates the behavior of a Nexus 9300v switch, supporting advanced data center features that are impossible to replicate with Cisco’s IOSv or CSR1000v routers. EVE-NG Professional and GNS3 offer pre-optimized appliances
For those looking to learn or test configurations without buying hardware, Cisco provides legitimate avenues to access this technology, though perhaps not this exact file version via direct download anymore.
1. Cisco DevNet Sandbox Cisco DevNet offers free, always-on, and reservable sandboxes. This is the safest and most legal way to access Nexus 9000 technology.
2. Cisco Software Download Portal If you have a valid Cisco account (even a free guest account), you can often access the Nexus 9000v software. Important: A common workaround is using the nxosv9k-7