Cisco Modeling Labs version 2.8 brings some interesting updates such as smart annotations and custom MAC addresses. But one of the most interesting features is limited release version of Cisco Modeling Labs for individual users. This means that you can download the free version of CML without a license and you can use up to five nodes at once. (A node can be a virtual router, switch, firewall, or one of the Linux host nodes.)
The free version of Cisco Modeling Labs allows you to turn on reference platforms, including IOLv, IOLvL2, ASAv, and host options such as Ubuntu, Server, Desktop, and Alpine. But remember; these options count towards the five node limit. However, an unmanaged switch and externally connected devices do not affect this limit.
One of the coolest new features in CML v2.8 that comes with the free version is the ability to set up smart annotations. This means you can mark nodes. So if you have, say, an OSPF topology with area 0 and area 1, it will automatically draw annotations around them. With these smart notes, you can display your area 0 and area 1 graphically with color. Marking and unmarking nodes will change the notes. As you move the nodes, the annotations grow and shrink to match what you have on your topology.
Cisco Modeling Labs Free is great for students and certification candidates
This free version is also a great tool for students and network engineers who are just starting to practice and build their skills.
If you are preparing for the CCNA or DevNet Associate certification exam, this free version is a great opportunity for you to try Cisco Modeling Labs (CML) for free and familiarize yourself with key components and features. During your studies, you can gain hands-on experience designing, testing, and troubleshooting network setups. Not only will you get a free CML with the ability to run up to five devices, but you’ll practice on the actual devices you’d use in the exam.
So, if you are a student, you can download and start studying for free right out of the box. After downloading, everything is ready to use. You also get access to the images and full permission from Cisco to use them within Cisco Modeling Labs Free.
Our goal is to reach people who thought CML might be too much money to actually subscribe. With this free version, we don’t want users to just kick the tires – we want them to have something useful to study. And even instructors teaching a class with CML can send students home to practice topology and network familiarity. We want to lower the barrier to entry for CML to be the tool you use to learn networking.
If you decide to upgrade from Cisco Modeling Labs Free to the paid version of CML-Personal or -Personal Plus, you can simply purchase a license and insert it into the same software to unlock new features with the license.
How does the free version of CML work?
You use two files to get CML working: an Open Virtual Appliance (OVA) file, which contains the CML itself, and an ISO file, which contains reference platforms—virtual representations of physical devices such as a router, firewall, or switch. So you will be able to build several topologies for free – within the limit of five devices.
The best thing about this free version is the experience students and network engineers can get for free. So you don’t have to wait and worry about the subscription price. You can get started right away – studying and using the real devices you’ll be using in the exam. There’s no time like now to start preparing with Cisco Modeling Labs. And now it’s free!
For more information on the new free version of CML, check out the latest Snack Minute where I break down the details:
We’re excited to offer you this opportunity and really want everyone’s feedback on the new free version: Download Cisco Modeling Lab Free today and share your thoughts with the Cisco Modeling Labs-Personal Community on the Cisco Learning Network. More tutorials are coming as well, so stay tuned!
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