The Lazy Networker

How to Install Cisco SD-WAN on EVE-NG

Written by

renjithbs

in

This guide covers hardware & VMware prerequisites, setting up EVE-NG, and installing Cisco SD-WAN components (vManage, vBond, vSmart, vEdge).

1. Prerequisites

Hardware Requirements

  • CPU: 8+ cores (Intel VT-x/EPT or AMD-V/RVI enabled)
  • RAM: 16GB+ (32GB+ recommended for large labs)
  • Storage: 100GB+ SSD (for performance)
  • Network: Bridged networking for external access

VMware Workstation Requirements

  • VMware Workstation Pro (Recommended) or Player
  • Nested Virtualization enabled (for running EVE-NG inside VMware)
  • EVE-NG Installed (ISO or OVA method)
  • EVE-NG Network Adapter set to Bridged

2. EVE-NG Setup on VMware

If you haven’t installed EVE-NG yet, follow this guide:
📌 How to Install EVE-NG on VMware Workstation

Once EVE-NG is running, find its IP address using:

bashCopyEditip a

Access EVE-NG via browser:

cppCopyEdithttp://<EVE-NG-IP>/

3. Download Cisco SD-WAN Images

You need to get the Cisco SD-WAN images for EVE-NG.
These images are available on Cisco’s official website (Cisco Software Downloads).

🔹 Required Images for Cisco SD-WAN Deployment:

  • vManage (Orchestrator)
  • vBond (Authentication Controller)
  • vSmart (Control Plane)
  • vEdge (Data Plane)

🚨 Make sure you download KVM/QEMU-compatible images (not ESXi/OVA).

4. Upload & Configure SD-WAN Images in EVE-NG

  1. Connect to EVE-NG via SSH:bashCopyEditssh root@<EVE-NG-IP>
  2. Navigate to QEMU Directory:bashCopyEditcd /opt/unetlab/addons/qemu/
  3. Create Folders for Each Image:bashCopyEditmkdir -p viptela-vmanage-<version> mkdir -p viptela-vbond-<version> mkdir -p viptela-vsmart-<version> mkdir -p viptela-edge-<version>
  4. Upload Images (via WinSCP or SCP Command)
    • Use WinSCP to upload images into the respective folders.
    • Alternatively, use SCP from another system:bashCopyEditscp <local-path-to-image>.qcow2 root@<EVE-NG-IP>:/opt/unetlab/addons/qemu/viptela-vmanage/
  5. Rename Image to “hda.qcow2”bashCopyEditmv <original-image-name>.qcow2 hda.qcow2
  6. Fix PermissionsbashCopyEdit/opt/unetlab/wrappers/unl_wrapper -a fixpermissions

5. Deploy Cisco SD-WAN Nodes in EVE-NG

Step 1: Create a New Lab

  1. Open EVE-NG Web GUI → New Lab
  2. Name the lab (e.g., SD-WAN-Lab)

Step 2: Add Cisco SD-WAN Devices

  1. Click “Add a Node”
  2. Choose vManage, vBond, vSmart, and vEdge
  3. Assign at least:
    • vManage: 8GB RAM, 4 vCPUs
    • vBond: 4GB RAM, 2 vCPUs
    • vSmart: 4GB RAM, 2 vCPUs
    • vEdge: 2GB RAM, 1 vCPU
  4. Save and Start the Nodes

6. Initial Configuration of SD-WAN Components

Once the devices boot up, access them via console (telnet in EVE-NG).

vManage Setup

  1. Login with default credentials:pgsqlCopyEditUsername: admin Password: admin
  2. Assign Basic Configurations:bashCopyEditconfig terminal system host-name vManage system-ip 1.1.1.1 site-id 100 organization-name "YourOrg" exit commit

vBond Setup

  1. Set hostname, system IP, and site ID:bashCopyEditconfig terminal system host-name vBond system-ip 2.2.2.2 site-id 200 organization-name "YourOrg" exit commit

vSmart Setup

  1. Configure hostname, system IP, and site ID:bashCopyEditconfig terminal system host-name vSmart system-ip 3.3.3.3 site-id 300 organization-name "YourOrg" exit commit

vEdge Setup

  1. Configure hostname, system IP, and site ID:bashCopyEditconfig terminal system host-name vEdge system-ip 4.4.4.4 site-id 400 organization-name "YourOrg" exit commit

7. Establish Control Connections

  1. Ensure vManage, vBond, and vSmart can communicate.
  2. Check connectivity using:bashCopyEditshow control connections
  3. Verify tunnel status:bashCopyEditshow ip route

8. Web Access & Final Configuration

  1. Open a browser and go to:cppCopyEdithttps://<vManage-IP>:8443
  2. Login with:
    • Username: admin
    • Password: admin
  3. Complete initial setup via the GUI.

9. Troubleshooting & Tips

Common Issues & Fixes

IssueSolution
Nodes not startingIncrease RAM & CPU in EVE-NG VM settings
No network connectivityUse Bridged Adapter in VMware & ensure correct IP settings
Can’t access vManage Web GUICheck HTTPS port (8443) & restart vManage
Control connections not formingVerify IP configs & firewall rules

10. Conclusion

You’ve successfully installed Cisco SD-WAN on EVE-NG within VMware! 🎉

🔹 Next Steps:

  • Integrate real WAN/LAN connections.
  • Add vEdge Cloud or physical cEdge routers.
  • Test policy-based routing and QoS.

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