CISCO

CISCO CSR1000 on ORACLE VirtualBox 5.1

Alejandro Olivan Alvarez

May 4, 2017 • 4 min read

Hi people!
This article was in my sketchbook for several weeks right now. For me, finding that I could run XVR IOS CSR1000 virtual router over VirtualBox 5.1 has been a almots a milestone.

To my taste, CISCO tends to be quite hostile when it comes to allow usage of its products, even in a limited manner, by individuals, and just for self-study/labs purposes... but to my surprise, this time, having a Cisco Account (CCO), it was possible to download certain CSR1000 images.
Don't fool yourself... images that are allowed to be downloaded are old, with reported critical bugs, and, without a license on them, CSR1000 is limited to a 100kbps bandwidth (enough but to play pings).

Getting an evaluation license for a few months is free and very easy though. Once licensed, limitations are gone, and is a nice exercise to do to one CSR1000 instance.
Although license management is part of CCNA R&S curriculum, I don't have much opportunities to practice with that, but thanks to the following article it was straightforward and it was really fun to do!!!!
http://www.burningnode.com/2016/02/08/the-csr1000v-license-and-the-100kbps/

So let's go for it!

The Lab:

I'm using Linux Debian Stretch
VirtualBox 5.1 from ORACLE's Debian repository
Latest CSR1000 allowed to download whit my CCO account: csr1000v-universalk9.03.15.00.S.155-2.S-std.iso

The VM settings!

Here are the settings for a minimal VM (according to my readings).
I have tested successfully adding more CPUs and RAM (4CPUs and 8GB), without trouble (and far better feeling)

general:
- type: Linux
- version: other 64bit
system (mostly defaults!)
- motherboard tab:
  - RAM 4GB
  - Boot Order: remove floppy, 1st optical, 2nd HD
  - Chipset should be PIIX3,
  - Pointing device: PS/2
  - Advanced features enabled: I/O APIC & Hardware Clock UTC
- Processor tab:
  - 1 CPU
  - Exec Cap at 100%
  - enable PAE/NX (This exposed my Xeon CPUs to the VM)
- Acceleration tab:
  - Paravirtialization interface: default
  - Enable VT-x/AMD-V
  - Enable Nested Paging
Display (default settings)
Storage:
- Default growable .vdi of 8GB is OK
- Remove SATA controller
- Add Disk to the IDE controller
- So Under IDE controller you'll have CD-ROM and .vdi
- Enable Use Host I/O cahce for IDE controller
Audio (disabled)
Network:
- Enable network card 1, set as Virtio and bridge/NAT it to your host NIC
- Enable network card 2, set as Virtio and put as internal network
- Enable network card 3, set as Virtio and put as internal network
- Enable network card 4, set as Virtio and put as internal network
Serial:
- Enable serial port
- COM1 (default IRQ I/O port)
  - DURING INSTALL: disconnected
  - AFTER INSTALL: HostPipe
- Uncheck Connect to existing pipe/socket (so it can create if needed)
- Path/Address: /tmp/whatever
USB(as default)

Quick useful notes Before proceeding:

Expect GRUB... it's Linux!
When installing / 1st boot... just relax: let GRUB load the default VGA/Console option
Install is fully automatic and unattended.
CD ISO removal from drive is automatic, so after install, when warned about, you'll probably don't have to worry.
After installation, GRUB option for a 'normal' boot, loading latest configuration, is labeled as 'packages.conf'
After installation, GRUB option for a kind of no-config / factory-defaults, is the one labeled as 'GOLDEN-IMAGE'

Install process review:

GRUB loads... let load the 'default VGA/Console'
The installer start uncompressing images at partitions /dev/bootflashX
When dumping to /dev/bootflash9 it seems stuck... it's not! it just tooks a while! quite long... be patient.
...Then the install resumes autodetecting VM virtual Hardware
Without warning the VM ejects the ISO image and reloads.
You'll booting first time from Disk, so now you'll see GRUB entries packages.conf or GOLDE-IMAGE... just let it go!
The Router boots...
...and after booting, you'll realize you're home:
As usual on first boot on CISCO devices, you'll reach the typical IOS initial configuration dialog.
There is up to you... I answered 'no' to let the router end booting into a fresh/clean install.
So, finally I get the IOS prompt: Router>
Since I wanted a consolidated install image to make my base .ova I did an early rebooting just in case:
Went to privileged mode by doing enable
Executed the reload command
Now the router should reboot normally until prompt.
GRUB default option is unchanged, defaulted at packages.conf option... so just let it go!
Make a .ova backup of your clean router.
Clone it, and keep the original install VM as a base, and start to play with its clones... You're done!!!!