Cisco CML Installation Notes and FAQ
The next two videos in this section give you step by step instructions on how to install CML Cisco Modeling Labs and use the course lab exercises. Please read these Installation Notes and FAQ if you run into any issues while following the instructions in the videos.
What are the system requirements to run CML?
You should have at least 8GB RAM in the machine you will run CML on.
Which CML release should I use?
‘Cisco Modeling Labs – Personal’ (20 nodes).
Where can I buy the software?
The Cisco Learning Network Store:
What if I have an issue when buying the software?
Raise a help ticket with Cisco Ordering Support at https://www.cisco.com/go/certsupport
Where can I download the software after I have bought it?
Your Cisco Learning Network Store account:
https://learningnetworkstore.cisco.com/myaccount
Which version of the CML and Reference Platform software should I use?
‘Cisco Modeling Labs - Personal 2.2.3 Server’ version 2.2.3 OVA file ‘for deployment on VMware’.
‘Cisco Modeling Labs Reference platform ISO File’ version 20210511.
Please ensure you use exactly these versions of the software to avoid any compatibility issues with the course lab exercises. Do not use an older or newer version of the software.
How do I navigate the text button interface when installing CML?
Click inside the VMware window with your mouse, then use the Tab key, the Up, Down, Left and Right cursor keys, and the Enter key on the keyboard.
How do I bring my mouse control back out of the VMware window?
Press the Ctrl and Alt keys at the same time.
What if I see a ‘Please attach the reference platform image DVD / ISO file to the CML^2 appliance’ error message during the CML installation?
The Reference Platform ISO file must be connected when you start the CML installation.
Close the VMware Workstation Player window and Power Off the virtual machine to abort the installation. Start a new CML installation from the beginning again and follow the step by step instructions in the ‘02-02b CML Cisco Modeling Labs Installation’ lecture.
Ensure the Reference Platform ISO image file is mounted and ‘Connect at power on’ is selected to avoid the error message:
How do I open the CML Dashboard?
Connect to the IP address shown in the VMware window using a web browser.
Why do I get a warning message saying ‘Your connection is not private’ (or similar) when I try to open the CML Dashboard?
This is because CML uses a self-signed certificate, it is the expected behaviour. In Chrome, click the ‘Advanced’ button then the ‘Proceed’ link to bypass the warning message. (Different web browsers have a similar but slightly different page.)
What username and password should I use to log in to the CML Dashboard?
The default username is ‘admin’.
Use the password you set during installation.
What if I have an issue logging in to CML?
Please follow the usual web browser troubleshooting steps:
1. Clear your cache and then reopen the browser.
2. Try a different web browser.
Different web browsers have different instructions to clear their cache - Google for the name of your browser and 'clear cache' to find instructions (for example 'Chrome clear cache').
If you continue to have difficulties please contact the Cisco CML tech support forum:
https://learningnetwork.cisco.com/s/topic/0TO3i00000094ZjGAI/cisco-modeling-labs-personal-community
or the CML page on Cisco Communities:
Where can I find the course lab files?
The lab projects can be found as zip files in the lectures at the end of the technology sections:
Why can I import the lab projects but not run them?
CML must be licensed to run lab exercises.
If your copy is not licensed you will see a ‘System Health Issue’ warning in the bottom right-corner:
Click ‘Tools > Licensing’, then ‘Choose Licenses’ and ‘Register’ to license the software:
You can find your license key in the Cisco Learning Network Store at https://learningnetworkstore.cisco.com/myaccount
Why do the lab exercises take so long to start?
This is normal in CML. Please be patient while the lab exercises start.
How do I configure devices?
Click on the device you want to configure in the main window, then click the ‘Console’ tab, then click on the cursor inside the command line window to enter commands:
Why do I not see any output when I run debug commands on the lab devices?
If the ‘Edit Config’ tab is used in CML to edit a device’s configuration, it automatically enters the ‘no logging console’ command into the configuration by default. This turns off debugging output to the device’s Console window in CML. You can verify this in the ‘show running-config’ output of the device:
R1#show running-config
! Truncated
boot-end-marker
!
no logging console
To show debug output, enter the ‘logging console’ command in global configuration mode on the device.
R1(config)#logging console
For example, R1 is receiving pings from R2 but debug ip icmp shows no output:
R1#debug ip icmp
ICMP packet debugging is on
R1#
‘Logging console’ is enabled and then the expected debug output is shown:
R1(config)#logging console
*Nov 14 02:42:28.622: ICMP: echo reply sent, src 10.0.0.1, dst 10.0.0.2, topology BASE, dscp 0 topoid 0
Why is a button greyed out in the CML Dashboard?
Some buttons are not available when the affected device(s) are running.
To make the button available, first ‘Stop’ the device on its ‘Simulate’ tab, and then ‘Wipe Node’.
You will get a warning message when you click the ‘Wipe Node’ button. Stateful information will be removed from the device but it will keep all important settings including its CLI configuration, it is safe to click the ‘Confirm’ button.
What if I have another issue?
Cisco have their own dedicated support team who can provide the best help for CML issues:
Please contact the Cisco CML tech support forum:
https://learningnetwork.cisco.com/s/topic/0TO3i00000094ZjGAI/cisco-modeling-labs-personal-community
or the CML page on Cisco Communities:
For any issues with my lab scenarios, such as if you're confused about a question or solution, please ask in the Q&A section in the course.
HTH,
Neil