How to Install Cisco Modelling Labs (CML) – Detailed Deployment Guide

This Web Article/Blog Post helps you to install Cisco Modelling Labs in right manner.

Even, I’ve tried multiple times deploying CML, but the installation is not that straightforward.

You need to modify some settings on your windows machine and even VMWare which are used to deploy Cisco CML.

Pre-requisites to Install Cisco CML

1. Right Cisco CML Download Package
2. VMWare Workstation
   

Below, I’ll be showcasing detailed installation steps which includes many tiny details as well. Make sure you bookmark this for reference and share who needs this installation guide.

Download Cisco Modelling Labs Deployment File

Before Downloading the File, Make sure you have a Cisco Account.

1. Create New Cisco Account here – Cisco
2. Register for Cisco CML here – Cisco CML
3. Download Cisco CML Packages here – Cisco Download Centre

Cisco CML Deployment Packages

Login to Cisco Download Centre and Search for CML Free – Cisco CML ova

You have multiple deployment options

1. Bare Metal
2. Hypervisor

Mostly, you’ll be deploying on Vmware workstation, hence select these packages listed below.

1. Cmf_f_2.10.0-13_amd64-17.ova
2. refplat-20260409-free-iso.zip

Download and Install VMWare Workstation Pro

Download VMWare Workstation Pro for PC.

To Download you need, BroadCom Account – Register here

Earlier, you were able to download VMWare without registering. Now you need an active account just to download the VMWare package.

I guess you even need a Business Email Address.

Once Registered, Find the VMWare Workstation Download Image for Windows

VMWare Workstation/ Windows Settings for Cisco CML

Import the Cisco CML OVA File and start the configuration and deployment.

Now, you need to edit Virtual Machine Settings here to properly install.

before you edit the VM settings, you need to edit your windows machine settings.

• Open Powershell as Administrator and run – bcdedit /set hypervisorlaunchtype off
• Don’t worry, command is right – I did not gave space before this /

Now, Open “Windows Features” from Control Panel

Uncheck these

1. Virtual Machine Platform
2. Windows Hypervisor Platform
3. Windows Subsystem for Linux

Now, Open Windows Defender and turn off ‘Memory Integrity“

After applying these settings, make sure you restart your machine to see effects.

Note- these procedures are required on Windows Home Edition OS.

VMWare Settings to Successfully Deploy Cisco CML

To make sure you don’t encounter errors during installation, follow these procedures in sequence.

1. VMWare Virtual Network Editor
2. Network Adapter Settings check
3. CD/DVD Settings
4. RAM/Storage Review
   

Open Virtual Network Editor from VMWare Settings and set these –

1. Enable NAT
2. Check – Use local DHCP Service to distribute IP Address to VMs
3. Add Subnet IP – 192.168.216.0 Subnet mask – 255.255.255.0
4. Make sure it’s VMNet 8 Adapter, once done apply.

Now Under Cisco CML VM Settings navigate to CD/DVD Section

1. Make Sure you check – Connect at power on
2. Select ISO File – Unzip the “refplat-20260409-free-iso.zip” file and upload under “upload iso image”

Under the Network Adapter Option make sure to

1. Turn on NAT
2. Check Connect at power on

Also it’s better, if you increased disk space and RAM. I’ve increased mine later.

I’d recommend – 16GB RAM and 100GB

Cisco CML Deployment/Configuration Steps

After Importing Cisco CML OVA Image and configuring Windows and VMWare settings rightly as shown above, this is how your status looks like.

This is Initial Step to Configure Cisco CML.

Click “Continue”

Again Click “Continue”, this shows general technical info.

Use TAB to switch options and toggle.

Accept the Terms and conditions and “Accept”

Here, it shows to configure hostname – You can keep any name, I’m just continuing with default assigned name “cml-controller”

This is important now, here it tells you to configure Cisco CML Linux Root Terminal Credentials.

these are used to login to the VM Itself and access the Linux Terminal.

username – sysadmin (default)
password – set any password.

These are GUI Credentials to access Cisco CML Dashboard via browser.

set both username and password.

Now review, all the details before hitting confirm.

This shows Linux Terminal and CML GUI Creds Details.

Now after hitting confirm, it’ll start extracting all the files from cml packages.

Depending on your system speed, the deployment speed varies.

Usually, It can take upto 15min-60min to successfully finish.

Once, it extracts all files and installs. This is how it should look after successful install.

To access Terminal access use – sysadmin credentials.

To access GUI Navigate in browser by entering – either hostname:9090 or IP as per your dhcp assignment.

This is the GUI Login page of Cisco Modelling Labs.

Enter GUI/System creds to access.

Once you login, this is how dashboard looks for Cisco Modelling Labs.

You can explore and test. I’ll post Cisco CML Articles soon showcasing,

1. Nodes Deployment – Cisco IOS Images (Routers, Firewalls and Switches)
2. CCNA Simulation using Cisco CML

Stay tuned, If you found helpful – make sure to share this and subscribe for more Cisco Content.