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CML 2.9

So I've been a follower on this software for over a decade. Originally called Cisco VIRL back in 2014, Cisco CML 2.9 was released in July. I've now had the chance to play around with it and here are the main hits!

Containers:

CML 2.9 has the following containers ready to go.

  • Browsers, like Chrome and Firefox. This is helpful if you need a browser for in-lab stuff. Things within the lab that have a web GUI.

  • Routing, Free-Range Routing (FRR) is a lightweight open-source routing device that supports OSPF and other protocols. This is helpful in simulating routing and easy on the resources if you just want to play with just a routing protocol and not configuration of a specific device. I wouldn't be surprised if you can also advertise routes into a network.

  • Network Services, Dnsmasq, Syslog, Netflow, Nginx, Radius, and TACACS+ all awesome software to really get your simulation feel like a real world setup.

  • Utilities, just general tools like T-Shark and Nmap and ThousandEyes agent monitoring.

Cloning

A nice to have feature that allows you to clone an already customized node. Perhaps you setup a node and don't want to re-configure it every time you lab, you can copy and paste that node as a new image type.

Git Integration

For me this is probably my favorite feature, you can tie your CML system to an external git repository for labs. By tieing to an external repository the sample labs within CML are synced with that external git resource.

By default the CML Community Github is connected but you can add and remove multiple repositories. So I'm going to plug my own repository, make sure you add that into CML for labs that I create so you can easily import them! 😊

You can add by going to Tools->System Administration->Lab Repositories (left-hand side), select the Add button and type in a Git URL for the repository.

  • https://github.com/lewiryan/Cisco_CML
  • Specify the Labs folder its case-sensitive, submit and sync.

Once you sync you will see labs within the sample labs area of CML. Tools->Sample Labs You can have multiple repos listed so depending what you got, maybe your own repository? You can search and import labs from within CML. 🥳

Lab Lab Lab

One of the things I do often is lab, for me that's the only way to learn and play around with things when it comes to networking and even general information technology. Theory is awesome but actually configuring something with "hands-on" is so much better. CML makes it pretty easy to ask yourself "Hmm I wonder if that would work?" and then you lab it up to test it out. A simple sandbox for all of your curiosities!