Assuming you have downloaded the file vqfx202r110reqemuqcow2 (likely from a Juniper account or community lab source), follow these phases.
To get the Juniper vQFX 20.2R1.10 (vqfx-20.2R1.10-re-qemu.qcow2) working correctly, you must pair it with its corresponding Packet Forwarding Engine (PFE) image. Unlike typical routers, the vQFX is a split-architecture virtual switch where the Routing Engine (RE) handles the control plane and the PFE handles the data plane. Core Components Required RE Image: vqfx-20.2R1.10-re-qemu.qcow2.
PFE Image: vqfx-20.2R1-2019010209-pfe-qemu.qcow (often bundled with the 20.2 download).
Note on Versioning: Even if the filename says 20.2, running show version within Junos may report 19.4R1. This is a known labeling discrepancy from the Juniper portal. Basic Configuration Steps Guide: Importing Juniper vMX and vQFX into CML2.4
vqfx-20.2R1.10-re-qemu.qcow2 Routing Engine (RE) disk image for the Juniper vQFX virtual switch. To make it work in network emulators like , it must be paired with a corresponding Packet Forwarding Engine (PFE) Core Requirements : You must run two separate virtual machines—one for the and one for the Interconnection vqfx202r110reqemuqcow2 work
: The two VMs must be connected via their internal link interface, typically on both devices. System Resources : Minimum 1024 MB RAM and 2 vCPUs. : Minimum 1024 MB (recommended 4096 MB) and 2 vCPUs. Platform-Specific Setup 1. GNS3 Configuration : Add the image as a new NIC Settings : Change the network adapter type to virtio-net-pci
; using the default Intel e1000 may prevent the PFE from being recognized. Interfaces
: Increase the number of NICs to 12. Unlike other Juniper virtual devices (like vMX), you connect external topology devices directly to the VM in vQFX. brezular.com 2. EVE-NG / PNETLab Configuration Directory Naming : Place the RE image in a folder named followed by the version (e.g., /opt/unetlab/addons/qemu/vqfxre-20.2R1.10/ File Renaming : Rename the virtioa.qcow2 so the emulator can boot it. Fix Permissions : Always run the fix permissions command after uploading: /opt/unetlab/wrappers/unl_wrapper -a fixpermissions Initial Access & Common Issues Juniper vQFX - - EVE-NG
. This image is designed to run in a QEMU/KVM environment, often within network simulation platforms like echo "@reboot root /usr/bin/python3 /var/tmp/auto_telemetry
To get this specific image working, you typically need its counterpart, the PFE (Packet Forwarding Engine)
image, as the vQFX architecture splits these functions into two separate virtual machines. How to Get vQFX 20.2R1.10 Working
To successfully boot and use this image, follow these integration steps: Pair with the PFE : A vQFX setup requires two nodes. While your file is the RE (Control Plane) , you also need the corresponding vqfx-20.2R1.10-pfe-qemu.qcow2 Data Plane ) for traffic to actually flow. Resource Allocation RE (Your file) : Assign at least : Assign at least Connectivity : In your simulator (like EVE-NG), you must connect the interface of the RE to the
interface of the PFE. This internal link allows the "brain" (RE) to talk to the "muscle" (PFE). Management Access interface on the RE for SSH/Telnet management. Virtualization Settings Nested Virtualization you typically need its counterpart
(VT-x/AMD-V) is enabled on your host machine, as Junos OS runs as a VM within QEMU. Common Troubleshooting Stuck at Boot
: If the RE hangs at the login prompt or doesn't see interfaces, ensure the PFE is powered on and the internal link is correctly mapped. License Warnings
: vQFX usually comes with a trial period. For lab use, "Evaluation" mode is standard, though some advanced features may require a license. QEMU Version QEMU 2.4.0 or higher for the best stability with Junos 20.x images.
echo "@reboot root /usr/bin/python3 /var/tmp/auto_telemetry.py" >> /mnt/vqfx/etc/crontab