Iosxrv-k9-demo-6.1.3.qcow2 __full__ May 2026

. This format (QCOW2) is designed for use in virtualization environments like QEMU/KVM, GNS3, and EVE-NG. Appliance Specifications Operating System: Cisco IOS XR (64-bit) QCOW2 (QEMU Copy-On-Write) Minimum RAM: 3072 MB (3 GB) Architecture: codingpackets.com Usage and Configuration Tips Initial Setup:

You can set the admin username and password during the first boot. Configuration Logic: IOS XR uses a two-staged configuration

system. You must enter your changes and then explicitly use the command to apply them. Virtualization Platforms: You can import this file using the Cisco IOS XRv appliance template from the GNS3 Marketplace. Vagrant/Libvirt:

This image can be converted into a Vagrant box using tools like create_box.sh or manual metadata files. codingpackets.com Metadata Example (for Vagrant/Automation)

If you are integrating this image into a lab automation tool, you might use a JSON structure similar to this: "cisco/xrv" "description" "Cisco IOSXRv Demo Image" "versions" "providers" : [ "file:///path/to/iosxrv-k9-demo-6.1.3.qcow2" ] } ] } Use code with caution. Copied to clipboard this image into Cisco IOSXRv Vagrant Libvirt Box Install


Title: Lab Ready: Exploring the Legacy IOS XRv “K9” Demo Image (6.1.3)

Introduction If you have spent any time building a home network lab for Cisco certification or feature testing, you have likely come across the file iosxrv-k9-demo-6.1.3.qcow2. Despite being an older release (IOS XR version 6.1.3), this image remains a lightweight, valuable tool for testing MPLS, routing protocols, and basic XR CLI structure.

In this post, I’ll cover what this file actually is, how to use it in QEMU/KVM, and the limitations of the “demo” edition. Iosxrv-k9-demo-6.1.3.qcow2

What is iosxrv-k9-demo-6.1.3.qcow2?

This image is designed for proof-of-concept and learning, not production.

Requirements

Basic QEMU Command

qemu-system-x86_64 \
  -machine pc \
  -cpu host \
  -smp 2 \
  -m 4096 \
  -drive file=iosxrv-k9-demo-6.1.3.qcow2,if=virtio \
  -netdev user,id=net0 \
  -device virtio-net-pci,netdev=net0 \
  -serial mon:stdio \
  -nographic

Note: Adjust network to bridge or macvtap if you need external access.

First Boot & Licensing

  1. The console will output standard IOS XR boot messages.
  2. After booting, you will see:
    RP/0/RP0/CPU0:ios#
  3. The image runs in demo mode—no license file is required, but it will reload every 60 minutes (typical demo limitation).
  4. To check status:
    show license
    show version

Configuration Example

configure terminal
hostname XRv-Demo
interface GigabitEthernet0/0/0/0
 ipv4 address 192.168.1.1 255.255.255.0
 no shutdown
 commit

Run show ipv4 interface brief to verify.

Key Limitations to Know | Feature | Demo Status | |---------|--------------| | Throughput | Limited to ~100k pps | | Uptime | Resets every 60 minutes | | Interfaces | 2–3 usable virtio interfaces | | Crypto (IPsec) | Present but slow | | XR HA (NSR) | Disabled |

Where to Find This Image This image is no longer on Cisco’s official download portal (CCO) for new users. It exists in older lab archives, VMware OVA conversions, and community backup repositories. Do not download from untrusted torrents. Instead, check:

Better Alternatives Today

Final Verdict The iosxrv-k9-demo-6.1.3.qcow2 is a nostalgic, lightweight teacher. It is perfect for learning IOS XR CLI, playing with OSPF/IS-IS, or testing simple Python automation via NETCONF. However, do not rely on it for performance testing or long-running labs.

Have you used the IOS XRv demo image? Let me know your experience in the comments.



Step 4: Initial Boot and Configuration

After the kernel loads, you’ll see the standard IOS XR boot sequence. Once at the ios prompt, enter EXEC mode: Title: Lab Ready: Exploring the Legacy IOS XRv

Username: cisco
Password: cisco
Router> enable
Router# configure terminal
Router(config)# hostname XRv-Demo

Apply a mandatory license (demo license is built-in, but you must accept):

Router(config)# license smart register
Router(config)# commit

1. What is iosxrv-k9-demo-6.1.3.qcow2?

The filename itself is a treasure trove of metadata. Let’s break it down:

In summary, this file is a virtual hard disk for a Cisco IOS XRv router, version 6.1.3, with full encryption, a demo license, packaged for the QEMU/KVM hypervisor.


d. QEMU Version Sensitivity

Using QEMU > 4.2 may cause console lockups due to changes in serial device emulation. Use qemu-system-x86_64 -machine pc-i440fx-2.7 for compatibility.

4. Step-by-Step Installation and Setup

Here is a practical guide to booting iosxrv-k9-demo-6.1.3.qcow2 using KVM/QEMU on a Linux host.

Understanding iosxrv-k9-demo-6.1.3.qcow2: Cisco IOS XRv Demo Image

If you have stumbled upon a file named iosxrv-k9-demo-6.1.3.qcow2, you are likely trying to run a virtual Cisco router in a lab environment. This guide will help you understand exactly what you are working with.