The Refplat ISO is the separate companion image that contains the exact software images and metadata profiles needed to spin up actual network devices. Without loading the Refplat ISO, your freshly deployed CML instance will be a framework with zero routers, switches, or firewalls available to boot.
When you visit the Cisco download portal, you may see multiple RefPlat ISO files. It's crucial to understand the differences to download the correct one for your needs:
From recent downloads (late 2025 to 2026), the RefPlat ISO files for CML follow a consistent naming convention that makes it easy to identify their purpose and age. A typical filename for the standard ISO is refplat-20241016-fcs.iso , and for the supplemental ISO, it's refplat-20240322-supplemental-iso.zip . cisco cml refplat iso download new
Here is a breakdown of the main types of RefPlat ISOs:
The standard virtual routers and switches for general routing protocols and switching labs. The Refplat ISO is the separate companion image
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The RefPlat ISO is separate from the CML controller OVA. RefPlat provides the disk image for nodes like IOSv, IOSvL2, ASAv, etc. It's crucial to understand the differences to download
Enterprise and Personal tiers. Includes full enterprise routing and switching nodes (CAT9000v, IOS XRv, NX-OS 9000). ( refplat-YYYYMMDD-freetier-iso.zip ) Significantly smaller
: Users can download a specific "Free Tier" ISO from Cisco DevNet , which includes a core set of images for up to five nodes.