The process is straightforward if you have a valid Cisco account, but it demands patience (the file is large) and adequate hardware. Once you have it installed, you unlock an enterprise-grade network simulation environment that scales from a student’s laptop to a data center server.
Navigate to the Cisco Software Center and log in using your CCO (Cisco Connection Online) ID. Ensure that your account is tied to the contract or subscription you used to purchase CML. Step 2: Search for Cisco Modeling Labs
: Search for "Modeling Labs" or follow the path: Cloud and Systems Management > Network Modeling > Modeling Labs . cisco cml refplat iso download new
Note: This process takes time, as it moves the image data to local storage.
Cisco Modeling Labs (CML) requires a Reference Platform (refplat) ISO The process is straightforward if you have a
Proper acquisition of the Cisco CML REFPLAT ISO requires a valid subscription and adherence to Cisco’s software distribution rules. This paper serves as an operational guide, not a bypass of licensing controls.
: 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. Ensure that your account is tied to the
The RefPlat ISO is only licensed for use within CML. Downloading these images and using them outside the platform without a proper license is strictly prohibited.
As of May 2026, has been released. The download page now features multiple Reference Platform ISO files: the standard refplat-20260409-fcs.iso , a supplemental ISO, and a new refplat-20260326-ise.iso .
: Look for files named like refplat-20241016-fcs-iso.zip or similar. This contains the node images (IOS, ASAv, Ubuntu).