The RE image provides the standard CLI ( cli ). However, users often try to console into the PFE image. This will fail. The PFE console generally outputs binary data or debugging logs, not a login prompt.
has long been a staple virtual appliance. At the heart of many automated emulator deployments sits the exact image file moniker: vqfx-20.2R1.10-re-qemu.qcow2 (often searched by its compressed string, ).
1 Core (Minimum) / 2 Cores (Recommended for faster booting)
: Designed to work in a dual-VM architecture where the RE handles the control plane and a separate Packet Forwarding Engine (PFE) handles the data plane. 2. Deployment Requirements vqfx202r110reqemuqcow2 top
2 GB RAM (Minimum) / 3 GB RAM (Recommended for heavy BGP tables)
: On EVE-NG, the PFE can sometimes struggle to come online. Before starting your lab, run this command on the EVE-NG host to improve stability:
SSH into your EVE-NG CLI and create the necessary directory structure: The RE image provides the standard CLI ( cli )
GNS3 is a popular choice for individual users. Here’s how to create the two required virtual machines.
: The virtual FPC (Flexible PIC Concentrator) may not be online yet. Wait 2–3 minutes after the login prompt appears. The FPC can take time to load, but it will come online.
: Built specifically to be run on the open-source QEMU emulator/hypervisor. The PFE console generally outputs binary data or
: The specific Junos OS software release version (Version 20.2R1.10).
Because vQFX relies on specific CPU instructions and high-performance timers to prevent kernel panics during boot, use this command to run the image via the CLI: qemu-system-x86_64 -name vQFX-RE \ -m \ -cpu IvyBridge,+vmx \ -smp
: The QEMU Copy-On-Write format, optimized for virtualization by dynamically growing disk space allocation as needed. The Architecture: Why One Image Isn't Enough
Powered by a companion image (typically named vqfx-20.2R1-2019010209-pfe-qemu.qcow or similar). This VM emulates the switching ASIC, handling packet forwarding, ACLs, and interface line-rate behaviors.