EVE-NG vs CML: Battle of Network Emulators

Amidst the myriad tools available, EVE-NG and Cisco Modeling Labs (CML) stand as prominent landmarks for professionals seeking comprehensive environments to build and test network topologies. Both platforms offer virtualized networks, yet their distinct features and capabilities call for a detailed comparison to discern the optimal choice for users' specific requirements.

Targeted towards different user bases, EVE-NG and CML present discrete advantages. EVE-NG's open approach vs. CML's focused environment affects their adoption—EVE-NG is preferred for diverse network simulations, while CML remains the choice for Cisco-specific solutions.

Here is the TL;DR

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What is EVE-NG? 

EVE-NG (Emulated Virtual Environment-Next Generation) serves as a robust network emulator that enables users to create and configure virtual networks on a grand scale. Set apart by its versatility, EVE-NG supports an extensive array of network devices from various vendors, making it an invaluable tool for multi-vendor network simulations. This flexibility is paramount for IT professionals aiming to mimic complex networking environments without the constraints of physical hardware.

Within the capabilities of EVE-NG, one finds a highly intuitive web-based GUI, allowing for a comprehensive and visually accessible network simulation experience. The platform allows the simultaneous initiation of multiple nodes, facilitating the orchestration of complex scenarios with relative ease. Leveraging a multi-user support system, EVE-NG becomes an interactive canvas for teams to collaborate on network simulation, validating architectures, and ensuring robust network designs before actual deployment.

EVE-NG's community-driven development leads to frequent updates, expanding its repository of supported devices.

What is CML in Cisco?

CML (Cisco Modeling Labs) is an enterprise-level solution tailored to offer high-fidelity simulations with its "Cisco IOS on Unix" technology. It excels in modeling Cisco-centric environments, with support for a comprehensive list of Cisco operating systems and platforms such as IOS, IOS XR, NX-OS, and ASA.

CML primarily uses virtualization technology, running actual Cisco IOS images within virtual machines. This approach, often referred to as "IOS on Unix," provides a high degree of fidelity by executing the same software that runs on physical Cisco devices. It's crucial to distinguish this from pure emulation, which recreates the hardware's functionality in software. Virtualization leverages the actual operating system, resulting in more accurate behavior but also higher resource requirements.

CML's utility extends beyond device configuration; its topology editor enables intricate network design with precision and clarity, reflecting Cisco's commitment to facilitating advanced learning and development.

Supported Protocols and Devices EVE-NG vs Cisco Modeling Labs

EVE-NG boasts an extensive catalog of protocols and devices, catering to a wide spectrum of network design scenarios.

• Multivendor device emulation including Cisco, Juniper, HP, Arista, and more
• A wide array of routing and switching protocols like OSPF, BGP, and MPLS
• Support for security appliances such as firewalls and IDS/IPS systems
• Virtualization platforms including VMware ESXi, Citrix Xen, and QEMU/KVM

The flexibility in EVE-NG's support allows professionals to orchestrate complex network environments realistically.

CML, however, primarily focuses on Cisco protocols and devices. This makes it exceptionally detailed when dealing with Cisco environments, featuring deep-level emulation of Cisco's proprietary technologies like Cisco IOS, IOS XR, NX-OS, and the ASA firewall series.

Both platforms offer strong capabilities, yet EVE-NG's diversity is contrasted by CML's specialized depth in Cisco ecosystems.

Specialized Capabilities EVE-NG vs CML

EVE-NG, standing distinct, presents a broader spectrum of vendors. Podium to a myriad of network operating systems, it offers greater flexibility in network simulation. EVE-NG facilitates integration with third-party virtual machines and containerization technologies, providing an expansive platform to emulate complex, heterogeneous networks.

CML often provides faster initial support for brand-new Cisco platforms and features, aligning closely with Cisco's release cycles. However, EVE-NG's active community often works quickly to support new IOS versions on existing Cisco platforms. While CML may have a shorter lead time for the newest technologies, EVE-NG typically offers robust support for a wide range of Cisco devices and IOS versions, making the difference less significant for many common use cases.

Compatibility with Cisco Systems

EVE-NG's support for Cisco Systems spans across numerous router and switch models, including the IOS, IOS XE, and NX-OS images. This broad spectrum approach is highly beneficial for professionals aiming to construct diverse network environments that include Cisco devices alongside others.

As for CML, it exhibits a narrower, yet deeper Cisco integration. Its designed intricacies mirror genuine Cisco hardware and software, offering high-fidelity simulations. This sharp focus fosters a conducive setting for specialized Cisco certification preparations like CCNA, CCNP, and CCIE.

CML is frequently updated to incorporate the latest Cisco technologies and features, ensuring a cutting-edge experience for users.

Cisco image management: Cisco image management is a critical consideration. EVE-NG requires users to source and manage Cisco IOS images independently. It is essential to emphasize that obtaining Cisco IOS images without a valid license is illegal and violates Cisco's terms of service. CML simplifies this process by providing licensed Cisco images as part of the platform, ensuring users operate within legal boundaries and streamlining the setup process.

User Interface and Experience

EVE-NG's user interface prides itself on being shaped by an active community of users and developers. This collective approach results in an interface that is intuitive for a wide variety of network professionals, from those handling complex multi-vendor environments to those requiring a simple lab setup. Its navigation is optimized to minimize the learning curve, allowing functionality to be harnessed quickly, which substantiates its position as a preferred choice for versatile simulation requirements.

CML presents a sleek, uncluttered interface tailored for Cisco-based network simulations. The focus on Cisco systems offers a user experience precisely tuned for professionals seeking a detail-oriented simulation platform dedicated to Cisco technologies. It's this laser-sharp focus that establishes CML as the go-to simulator when high fidelity to Cisco's networking paradigms is imperative.

Community and Support

TL;DR The support for CML is systematically structured, leveraging Cisco's considerable resources. EVE-NG's community support structure is more organic, allowing for rapid dissemination of information and collaborative problem-solving.

EVE-NG benefits from a vibrant and active community, offering extensive user-generated resources and forums. However, it's important to note that EVE-NG also offers professional support through paid subscriptions, providing direct assistance from the developers.

Cisco Modeling Labs (CML), while more corporate-backed, offers support through official Cisco channels, including documentation, expert-led forums, and direct support options for licensed users. While primarily corporate-backed, CML also has a community aspect within Cisco's platforms, fostering collaboration and knowledge sharing among users.

Third-party Vendors play a role in both platforms; however, EVE-NG’s open architecture allows greater community-driven integration and support versatility.

Training Resources are abundant for EVE-NG with a plethora of user-generated content, whereas CML's resources are often polished but more structured and vendor-defined.

Issue Resolution can be more agile with EVE-NG due to the dynamic community input, while CML's solutions are standardly routed through formal Cisco support systems.

Practical Applications and Performance

TL;DR EVE-NG's lightweight framework facilitates swift deployment and modification, enabling users to run complex topologies with minimal resource overhead. CML's robust simulation environment is tailored for high-fidelity representations that mirror enterprise scenarios closely, albeit requiring more substantial computational resources.

Resource Efficiency

EVE-NG is generally more resource-efficient for basic to medium-sized lab topologies, allowing users to run simulations on less powerful hardware. This makes it an attractive option for individuals and smaller organizations. CML, designed for complex, enterprise-grade simulations and high fidelity, requires more substantial resources.

While EVE-NG scales well for many scenarios, CML's architecture may offer better performance for extremely large and complex topologies, even if it demands more powerful hardware. Therefore, scalability isn't simply a matter of cost; it also depends on the complexity and scale of the simulations being run. While EVE-NG is more efficient for initial deployment and often for making changes to running labs, CML is optimized for robust and stable long-running simulations that mirror real-world production network environments. The choice depends on the specific needs: EVE-NG for efficient, versatile labs, and CML for high-fidelity, enterprise-scale simulations.

Real-World Lab Scenarios

Real-world lab scenarios are paramount for effective network training and testing. The ability to model network behavior under diverse scenarios, including scaling, redundancy, and failure modes, is essential. 

EVE-NG stands out by facilitating rapid configuration and deployment of large, complex topologies. It incorporates tools that streamline lab preparation and modifications, hence appealing to users requiring agility in their lab environments. On the flip side, CML's methodical nature and rich feature set enable users to drill down into the granular details of Cisco's network behavior, providing insights and validation critical for those who prioritize depth over breadth.

Both EVE-NG and CML can integrate with real devices and networks, allowing for hybrid lab environments. EVE-NG's open architecture provides flexibility in integrating with various physical devices and network configurations. CML, while designed with a focus on virtualized environments, also supports integration with physical networks through features like external connectors and virtual interfaces. The integration methods and configuration complexity may differ, but both platforms offer the capability to bridge virtual and physical networks.

What suits you best?

When selecting an ideal network emulation platform, your specific requirements dominate the decision-making process. Whether you favor EVE-NG's versatile environment or crave the specialized Cisco-focused simulative environment of CML hinges greatly on the intended application of the technology and the diversity of the devices and protocols you plan to work with.

EVE-NG may be preferable if a multi-vendor network sandbox is needed. Its compatibility with numerous network appliance images and its community-driven development model offers a wide scope for experimentation and learning. For a purely Cisco-centric experience, or for environments where Cisco compatibility and support are paramount, CML stands unchallenged. It reflects Cisco's rigor and industry-standard networking practices, making it invaluable for highly specialized Cisco training and certification preparation.

Yet, it is not just about the platforms' end capabilities but also your proficiency level. Trainees and professionals at different stages in their careers will have varying needs; EVE-NG excels in offering a broad learning platform for those needing to experience a variety of network scenarios, while CML is tailored for those looking to delve into the Cisco ecosystems' complexities. Each platform caters to a distinct set of skills and learning objectives, and aligning your choice with your professional growth path is crucial.