Cisco Catalyst 8000V Edge Software Installation And Configuration Guide

Create the VM Using the GUI Tool

Updated: March 5, 2026

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Overview

Create the VM
Add a serial console
Add a host USB device
Customize the VM configuration

Overview

Explains how to create the Cisco Catalyst 8000V VM in KVM environments using the GUI tool.

You can install the Cisco Catalyst 8000V virtual router as a virtual machine on Red Hat KVM virtualization by using the GUI tool. While you can use the CLI to perform this installation, Cisco recommends using the GUI tool.

Summary

Download these key components that you require for installing Cisco Catalyst 8000V in KVM environments by using the GUI tool.

Download and install the virt-manager RPM package on the KVM server.
Download either the .qcow2 image or the .iso image from the Cisco Software Download page. Copy the file onto a local device or a network device.

Workflow

Perform these tasks to install Cisco Catalyst 8000V in KVM environments.

Create the virtual machine and configure the virtual machine settings.
Add a serial console.
Add a host USB device.
Customize the virtual machine configuration. See the respective sections on this page for the detailed steps.

Create the VM

Perform these steps if you want to create a new VM in a KVM environment by using the GUI tool.

Procedure

	1.	Launch the virt-manager GUI.
	2.	Click Create a New Virtual Machine.
	3.	Select the Cisco Catalyst 8000V qcow2 or iso file location after performing one of these two actions: If you have downloaded the .qcow2 file, select Import Existing Disk Image. If you have downloaded the .iso file, select Local Install Media (ISO Image or CDROM).
	4.	Configure the memory and the CPU parameters.
	5.	Configure the virtual machine storage settings.
	6.	If you want to add additional hardware before creating the VM, click Customize configuration before install. The system displays the Add Hardware button. Click this button to add various hardware options, such as additional disks or a serial port interface.
	7.	Add a serial console. This is an optional step. To view the detailed steps to add a serial console, see Add a serial console.
	8.	Customize your virtual machine configuration. This is an optional step. To view the detailed steps to customize your configuration, see Customize the VM configuration.
	9.	Click Finish.

What to do next

Access the Cisco Catalyst 8000V console by performing one of these actions:

If you are using a virtual console, double-click the VM instance to access the VM console.
If you are using a serial console, see Booting the Cisco Catalyst 8000V and Accessing the Console .

Add a serial console

Perform these steps to add a serial console to the hardware and configure the kernel console.

Procedure

	1.	In the virt-manager GUI, click Add Hardware.
	2.	From the menu, choose the Serial option.
	3.	From the Device Type drop-down field, select TCP net console (tcp).
	4.	Specify the port number, and select the Use Telnet checkbox.
	5.	Click Finish.
	6.	After adding all necessary hardware, click Begin Installation.

Add a host USB device

To add the USB host device using virt-manager, complete these steps.

If you use a Cisco IOS XE 17.9.x version, a 17.12.x version, or a later version, Cisco Catalyst 8000V on KVM supports USB device pass-through which allows a USB device connected to the host machine to be passed directly to your VM. To add a USB host device, you must modify the VM configuration by using tools like virt-manager, virsh, or by directly editing the XML configuration of the VM.

Procedure

	1.	In the virt-manager GUI, click Add Hardware.
	2.	Select the USB host device.
	3.	From the USB Device drop-down field, choose the USB device that you want to attach to the Cisco Catalyst 8000V.
	4.	Click Finish. Note Cisco Catalyst 8000V supports USB disk hot-plug and allows up to two USB disk hot-plug devices to be attached.. When you add the devices, ensure you add one device at a time, by using the virt-manager.

Customize the VM configuration

Before you begin

Perform the Create the VM workflow by using a .qcow2 or an .iso image. If you want to customize your configuration before creating the instance, follow this procedure. Ensure you perform this task before you apply the Day 0 configuration to your device.

Procedure

	1.	In the creating VM workflow, when you choose the Customize configuration before install option, the Add Hardware button is displayed. Click this button.
	2.	Choose the Storage option.
	3.	Select the Select Managed Or Other Existing Storage check box.
	4.	Click Browse and navigate to the location where you have the c8000v_config.iso file. This step is applicable only when you want to add a Day 0 or bootstrap configuration.
	5.	From the Device-type drop-down field, choose IDE CDROM.
	6.	Click Finish.
	7.	To adjust the VM boot options in the virtual manager, including the boot device order, select IDE CDROM or the c8000v_config.isooption. Use the Up Arrow to move the device to the first position in the boot order.
	8.	Click Apply to apply the changes you made to the boot order. The image disk device option is pushed down as the second option in the boot device order.
	9.	After adding all the necessary hardware, click Begin Installation to start the new VM deployment.

What to do next

Perform the Day 0 configuration for your device. To learn how to do this, see Day 0 Configuration.

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