@Virtualpackets wrote:
I heard about VIRL before it was release on the Cisco Learning Network forums and couldn't wait to get my hands on it. I had tried other networking products but was disappointed with them.
Finally the product was released and I purchased it straightaway. I wanted a product that would help me work towards gaining my CCIE in R&S, something I could just power-up and use straightaway without all the hassle.
In under 5 minutes I have 10 IOSv routers running enabling me to focus on learning the technologies vs troubleshooting the environment.
I needed a product that would allow me to run a number of routers and switches, at the time VIRL did not have any support for switching but this did not stop me from purchasing, I was very eager to try out the routing element.
The product has been continually developed since it's initial release and continues to make great strides in delivering more innovative features. The availability of the various images IOSv/NX-OS/IOS XE/IOS XR included in VIRL was also important to me. The images are updated on a regular basis enhancing the functionality but this is just tip of the tip of the iceberg.
The product allows me to master the CCIE R&S topics with a few exceptions. In the real world I use the product to mimic elements of our core and customers networks. I can build and design advanced network topologies in minutes not days. With the packet capture options I can see what's really going on behind the scenes. A personal favourite of mine is the live visualization feature that takes the configuration straight from the devices and builds a visual topology based on the protocols running! be this EIGRP, OSPF or BGP allowing me to visualise how the peering's and adjacencies are formed. With the ability to add 3rd party virtual machines the possibilities are endless.
Thanks to all of the VIRL team
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