Using the 20.2 version provides access to modern Junos features, including enhanced EVPN-VXLAN support, which is critical for leaf-spine architectures.
Default username is root with password Juniper (case-sensitive) or sometimes admin with admin@123 depending on the lab distribution. Lab Specifications
Run by a companion Cosmo/PFE image. It simulates the hardware ASIC, handling the actual packet forwarding, switching logic, and data plane interfaces.
EVE-NG requires strict naming conventions for images to recognize them correctly. Connect to your EVE-NG server via SSH. Create the required directory structure: mkdir -p /opt/unetlab/addons/qemu/vqfxre-20.2r1.10/ Use code with caution. Upload your file to this directory using SFTP. Rename the file to the exact name EVE-NG expects:
| Attribute | Value | |-----------|-------| | | Vqfx-20.2r1.10-re-qemu.qcow2 | | Software Family | Juniper vQFX (Virtual QFX) | | JunOS Version | 20.2R1.10 | | Function | Control Plane (Routing Engine) | | Disk Format | qcow2 (QEMU) | | Typical Size | ~1–2 GB (sparse) | | Platform Emulated | QFX10000-36Q or QFX5110 (depending on VM config) | Vqfx-20.2r1.10-re-qemu.qcow2
qemu-system-x86_64 -boot d -cdrom Vqfx-20.2r1.10-re-qemu.qcow2
: If not already done, rename the file to virtioa.qcow2 (the standard required by EVE-NG for the RE).
You can deploy this image across various popular network emulation environments like Eve-NG, PNetLab, GNS3, or raw KVM. Deploying in EVE-NG / PNetLab
The era of "you need a rack of hardware to learn data center networking" is over. The QCOW2 file on your desktop is the new industry standard. Using the 20
: Specifies the Junos OS software release (Release 20.2, Revision 1, Build 10).
Unlike standard router images that run entirely out of a single virtual machine, the Juniper vQFX
Choose the vqfx-20.2R1.10-re-qemu.qcow2 file as the disk image.
This article will deconstruct the file name, explore its architecture, provide a setup guide, and discuss its role in modern network automation workflows. It simulates the hardware ASIC, handling the actual
Understanding how this specific control plane image interacts with virtualization software is critical for building stable, accurate simulation topologies. The Dual-VM Architecture of vQFX
The filename VQFX-20.2R1.10-RE-QEMU.qcow2 suggests several pieces of information:
Network engineers and automation experts constantly look for efficient ways to simulate complex topologies without deploying expensive hardware. The Juniper vQFX virtual switch has long been a staple in these simulated environments, bridging the gap between physical Junos devices and virtual labs. Within modern network emulation setups, the specific image file represents a critical building block.