Below is a complete guide on how to securely download, verify, and install the Refplat ISO for a "new" CML deployment.
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 .
: The primary file (e.g., refplat-20241223-fcs-iso.zip ) containing all "normal" router and switch images.
A very common user error is trying to mount the ZIP file directly instead of the ISO file inside it. cisco cml refplat iso download new
Due to the massive file size, download corruption is common. Always check the integrity of the file:
| Issue | Resolution | |-------|-------------| | “No entitlement” in Smart Account | Confirm CML subscription is assigned to virtual account. | | Slow download | Use Cisco’s Download Software → “Download Later” option + Aspera (if available). | | ISO boots but no device images | New ISO requires initial import via cml import devices (once after install). | | Checksum mismatch | Re-download; avoid third-party mirrors. |
If you have recently searched for the term , you are likely looking for the latest version of this foundational image. Whether you are a CCIE candidate, a network architect, or a DevOps engineer testing automation, understanding how to obtain, deploy, and manage the new CML REFPLAT ISO is critical. Below is a complete guide on how to
: Use a download manager that supports multi-threaded downloading. Ensure you are downloading directly via the Cisco Download Manager browser plugin if prompted, as it handles session handshakes more efficiently over large files. 2. CML Error: "No Reference Platforms Found"
Upload the ISO file to the designated storage directory: /var/local/virl2/dropfolder/ .
Cisco Modeling Labs (CML) is a network simulation platform that allows you to design, configure, and test network topologies. The RefPlat ISO is a reference platform image used in CML to simulate various network devices. : The primary file (e
It's important to note that the official documentation still states that the ISO provides VM images, but the download page has not been updated to reflect this change, causing significant confusion among users.
To deploy or upgrade your network simulation environment in , you must download the Reference Platforms (Refplat) ISO file directly from the Cisco Software Download Portal. This massive file contains the critical virtual machine (VM) images—such as IOSv, IOSvL2, NX-OS, and ASA —required to run network nodes inside your lab topology.
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.