Legal / Copyright Note
This content is for educational purposes. Cisco software requires a valid license. Unauthorized distribution of the RefPlat ISO violates Cisco's terms of use.
After downloading:
# Mount ISO
mount -o loop cml-refplat-2.8.1.iso /mnt
The latest version for Cisco Modeling Labs (CML) is , released in July 2025. This release includes a new Refplat ISO with expanded image support, including the Catalyst 9800-CL , Cisco ISE, and Splunk Enterprise 1. Downloading the New Refplat ISO cisco cml refplat iso download new
To access the latest files, follow the steps based on your license type: CML-Personal: Log into the Cisco Learning Network Store using your CCO ID. Navigate to My Account and click the button next to your active order. You will be redirected to the Cisco Software Download page to select the latest refplat-*.iso CML-Free (Community Edition): Register or sign up on the CML-Free page Download the specific refplat-*-freetier-iso.zip file from the Software Central site. CML-Enterprise/Education: Access the Cisco Software Central (SWC) downloads directly. Search for "Modeling Labs" and select the release to find the supplemental ISO. 2. Essential Update Requirements Cisco Modeling Labs - Free - Cisco DevNet
You cannot legally download the new Cisco CML REFPLAT ISO without a support contract or active subscription. Here is the breakdown: Legal / Copyright Note This content is for
Do not share your downloaded ISO – the REFPLAT image is watermarked with your Smart Account ID. Sharing it breaches the EULA and can lead to license revocation.
The ISO functions as a library of virtual network devices. When mounted or imported, it provides definitions for: After downloading: # Mount ISO mount -o loop
Mount the ISO to the VM’s CD/DVD drive.
Power on the VM – It will boot into the CML installer (text-based).
Follow the installer prompts:
After installation (~10 minutes), the system reboots. Remove the ISO.
Access the web GUI at https://<ip-address>.
In the world of network engineering, certification, and infrastructure design, having a reliable virtual lab environment is no longer a luxury—it’s a necessity. Cisco’s Cisco Modeling Labs (CML), formerly known as VIRL (Virtual Internet Routing Lab), stands as the gold standard for network simulation. At the core of this powerful platform lies the REFPLAT ISO (Reference Platform Image).
If you have recently searched for the term "cisco cml refplat iso download new" , 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.
This article provides a deep dive into everything you need to know: what the REFPLAT ISO is, what is new in the latest release, where to legally download it, system requirements, installation steps, and troubleshooting tips.