The Cisco VIRL team has announced the much anticipated April upgrade yesterday (4/21/2015) that includes a true Layer 2 IOS and the ASAv functionality.
Remember, the Layer 2 IOS will count against the 15 device limit, so if you want other switches in the topology that you are not needing to configure, use the Unmanaged Switch option there.
There is a Quick and Full upgrade option available for those of running VIRL currently. For those of you needing a complete OVA install, the OVA will be made available soon.
Here is the complete information:
http://community.dev-innovate.com/t/virl-april-release-upgrade-instructions-and-release-notes/3144
Here is a list of the latest images in this product:
NEW IOSv – 15.5(2)T image
NEW IOSvL2 – 15.2.411 DSGS image
IOSXRv – 5.3.0 CCO image
CSR1000v – 3.14 XE-based image
NEW NX-OSv 7.2.0 (ZD 120)
NEW ASA1000v 9.3.2
NEW Ubuntu 14.4.2 Cloud-init
I look forward to creating many videos for you on this new version here at ajsnetworking.com.
This is great news! Now I just need to get the thing downloaded…the sure don’t make it easy to get your copy of VIRL.
Anthony, is there a good ‘checklist’ like the one you had mentioned in one of your previous videos that could be used to go through and mark off for the CCENT and CCNA tests?
Using Cisco’s website, it was easy to get lost when trying to just throw together a quick spreadsheet on the required skills.
I would recommend that you start with the official blueprints on those. If you have any questions on the level of detail to cover in certain areas, just ask here at the blog and I can help you.
Awesome. I will give that a check over lunch. I really liked the idea of having a checklist so i can keep up with where I was, and see what I had to learn, but finding one on Cisco’s site was a bit tough.
Finding anything on their site can be tough at times. Hopefully they get back to me with my VIRL download tonight and I can get started on trying this out.
Thanks!
Here are your topics for CCENT – notice you need to SHOW DETAILS for each section.
https://learningnetwork.cisco.com/community/certifications/ccna/icnd1_v2/exam-topics
There might be a delay on the VIRL download since they are still working on the new OVA. I would guess you get it today or tomorrow. Please keep me posted.
I nabbed it the other day while sick with a stomach bug. It took a while, but I’ve finally got it working. Now to go to cbtnuggets and watch your VIRL series so I can figure out what I’m doing with this thing.
Thanks!
Awesome! I think you are going to love it!
Just completed the full upgrade. Went flawlessly per the instructions and just fired up a test with an ASA, two switches, and two routers. Worked perfectly.
GREAT JOB VIRL TEAM!
One big gotcha – don’t forget to upgrade your Node Types in Maestro or you will not see the new devices in your palette.
Hi Anthony!
after a long time 🙂 Please can you share is there support for Fabric Path support in Nexus?
Best Regards,
The VIRL team announced it was to be working in this update. I just asked over at the VIRL community as I do not have time to test today. Here is the thread:
http://community.dev-innovate.com/t/fabricpath-in-new-nx-os-image-april-2015-update/3199/1
BTW – I was able to test ASAv and Layer 2 IOS today. They worked great.
Speaking of layers and switches, do you think they will add a L3 switch? I guess I could use the nexus, but its a bit different then the catalyst series the test may be focused on.
Hi Joe – have not thoroughly tested it yet – but they did indicate it is a Layer 3 switch! It defaults to Layer 2 behavior, but they were talking about how it can be in Layer 3 mode as well.
Anthony,
You’re right!! I enabled layer 3, and I was able to enter OSPF configuration.
thanks Anthony for your posts. I have worked totally with real labs plus recently on GNS especially for ASA. but I faced with many issues while working on ASA in GNS. hope this VIRL can give us real experiment about ASA device. for something like VIRL, as emulation program, it is essential to be easy to use. I have not seen VIRL and IOU before, but being complex and sophisticated (even more than actual program !!), is not what we expect to see while using a emulation program. so there should be good articles and videos about a program that it is expected to be helpful not complex than actual program. we are waiting for your helpful articles and videos about VIRL. tnx a lot.
Thanks for your post. Yes – VIRL, once installed, is very easy to use. And the install gets easier with each new release from Cisco. Also, remember – this is not IOU (IOS on Unix). 🙂
Hi Anthony,
Im going to start my study from scratch all the way to CCIE R&S…
and I have a question!
What is the best solution(with less investment) to practice from CCNA to CCIE?
1)Buying Physical devices
2)Rack rental
3)Virl (Academic Version)
Personally i prefer to get a copy of virl but at this moment im not sure whether it would be able to cover all the topics or not…
waiting for your informative answer. 😉
with best regards
Shahin Hemmati
I would recommend you go VIRL with rack rentals when you are at the stage to practice full labs on a large rack.
Hi Anthony,
Thanks for sharing your tests and experiences. Quick question if the IOS versions support CME.
Thanks
Hi, How ASAv can be incorporated in VIRL? I couldn’t find decent documentation for the process.
I am sorry. What I mean I don’t see ASAv in nodes pane of VM Maestro but I have an ASAv image User workspace management window.
Apologies, bit of wandering in VIRL and then I have discovered that I need to invoke the missing devices. Done.
Thanks 🙂
Whew – you had me really scared since the ASAv sits there nicely in your object pane as long as you have the latest VIRL and the latest VM Maestro.