Timos-sr-13.0.r4-vm.qcow2 May 2026
Let’s dissect the filename to understand what we are working with:
timos-sr-13.0.r4-vm.qcow2 is not just a file. It is a portable carrier-grade routing stack packaged for the DevOps era. Whether you are validating an SR-MPLS TE policy, testing EVPN Type-5 route leaking, or building a multi-vendor interoperability lab, this QEMU image is your digital sandbox.
Download it. Snapshot it. Break it. Repeat.
Have you deployed SR OS 13 in your KVM lab? Let me know what features you are testing in the comments.
The file Timos-sr-13.0.r4-vm.qcow2 is a virtual disk image for the Alcatel-Lucent (Nokia) 7750 Service Router (SR) Go to product viewer dialog for this item.
virtualized operating system, known as TiMOS (Terabit Interactive Modular Operating System). It is primarily used by network engineers for labbing, testing, and simulations within network emulation environments like GNS3. Technical Specifications According to GNS3 registry data and documentation: Product: Alcatel-Lucent 7750 Service Router Software Version: 13.0.R4.
Format: QCOW2 (QEMU Copy-On-Write), optimized for KVM virtualization. File Size: Approximately 368.5 MB. MD5 Checksum: d7a3609e506acdcb55f6db5328dba8ed. Resource Requirements
To run this virtual appliance effectively, the following system resources are typically recommended: RAM: 2048 MB (2 GB) per node. CPU: x86_64 architecture with 1-2 vCPUs.
Virtualization: KVM acceleration is highly recommended (or required for optimal performance). Default Credentials: Username admin / Password admin. Usage and Implementation
This image is a core component for creating complex network topologies without physical hardware.
Simulation Platforms: It is widely used in GNS3 and can be launched via QEMU commands.
Licensing: While the image can be booted for lab purposes, it typically requires a valid license file (lic.txt). Without a license, the system may reboot every 60 minutes.
Acquisition: These images are proprietary and copyrighted. Official downloads are available through the Nokia Support Portal for users with valid service contracts. license not matching TiMOS-B-13.0.R4 - Alcatel Unleashed
The file TiMOS-SR-13.0.R4-vm.qcow2 is a virtual disk image for the Alcatel-Lucent (now Nokia) 7750 Service Router (SR) operating system, known as TiMOS. It is primarily used by network engineers for lab simulations, testing, and certification prep (such as NRS I/II). Overview & Purpose
This specific image is a legacy version (13.0.R4) of the Nokia 7750 SR-OS. It is designed to run in a virtualized environment like GNS3, EVE-NG, or KVM/QEMU. It allows you to simulate high-end edge routing features without needing physical 7750 hardware. Key Performance & Tech Specs Platform: Simulated Nokia 7750 Service Router. Format: QCOW2 (standard for QEMU/KVM hypervisors).
Resource Requirements: Typically requires 2048 MB RAM and an x86_64 architecture to run smoothly.
Default Credentials: Traditionally, the login is admin with the password admin. The "Good" (Pros)
Full Feature Set: Unlike some "light" virtual routers, TiMOS provides a very deep feature set including MPLS, VPLS, VPRN, and advanced BGP configurations.
Stability: Version 13.0.R4 is an older "Maintenance" release, meaning it is generally stable for learning core service routing concepts.
Integration: It integrates perfectly with the GNS3 Registry, making the setup process straightforward for students. The "Bad" (Cons) Timos-sr-13.0.r4-vm.qcow2
Age: Version 13.0 is significantly outdated. Modern Nokia SR-OS versions are now in the 20.x, 21.x, and 23.x range. You will miss out on newer features like segment routing (SR-MPLS/SRv6) or modern model-driven management (gNMI/NETCONF).
Resource Heavy: Compared to a Cisco IOSv image, TiMOS is RAM-hungry. Running a large topology requires a powerful workstation.
Licensing: Technically, TiMOS images require a valid license file from Nokia to boot beyond a trial period or to enable certain line card functions. Final Verdict
If you are looking for a lightweight way to practice basic Nokia CLI or classic MPLS services, this image is a solid, stable choice. However, if you are preparing for current industry certifications or modern SDN workflows, you should look for a newer VSR (Virtual Service Router) image from Nokia's official support portal.
Are you setting this up for a specific certification lab, or just exploring Nokia SR-OS?
gns3-registry/appliances/alcatel-7750.gns3a at master - GitHub
The file Timos-sr-13.0.r4-vm.qcow2 is a virtual machine disk image for the Alcatel-Lucent 7750 Service Router (SR) operating system, known as TiMOS or SR-OS. It is commonly used in network simulation environments like GNS3 to virtualize carrier-grade routing hardware for labs and testing. Key Specifications & Requirements Software Version: SR-OS 13.0.R4.
Virtualization Format: qcow2 (QEMU Copy-On-Write), optimized for KVM-based hypervisors. RAM Requirement: Minimum 2048 MB. Architecture: x86-32 or x86-64 (typically run via Qemu). Default Credentials: Login: admin Password: admin Operational Notes
Licensing: Without a valid license, the VM will automatically reboot every 60 minutes. You can check the remaining time by running the command show system license within the CLI.
GNS3 Integration: To use this in GNS3, you can import the .gns3a appliance file which pre-configures settings like the e1000 adapter type and console access via telnet.
Performance: While qcow2 is flexible and supports features like snapshots and compression, it may have slightly lower performance compared to raw disk formats. Alcatel 7750 - GNS3
Note : This is not a general-purpose Linux OS. It is a specialized network operating system with a CLI similar to Cisco/Juniper but with Nokia’s “classic CLI” (configure exclusive). Without a license, it will boot in demo mode (limited time/scale).
The file Timos-sr-13.0.r4-vm.qcow2 represents a critical asset for network engineers, specifically those working within the Nokia (formerly Alcatel-Lucent) ecosystem. This virtual disk image contains the Service Router Operating System (SROS), designed to run in a virtualized environment.
Whether you are building a lab for CCIE-level certifications or testing complex MPLS topologies, understanding how to deploy this specific image is essential. What is Timos-sr-13.0.r4-vm.qcow2? To break down the filename:
TiMOS: (Terabit Interactive Management Operating System) The core software used in Nokia’s 7750 SR, 7450 ESS, and 7950 XRS platforms.
SR-13.0.r4: This indicates the software release version. Version 13.0 marked a significant era for Nokia SROS, introducing enhanced features for carrier-grade Ethernet and refined IP/MPLS capabilities.
VM: Signifies that this build is optimized for Virtual Machines rather than physical hardware.
QCOW2: (QEMU Copy On Write) The standard storage format for virtual disks in QEMU/KVM environments. Key Use Cases
GNS3 and EVE-NG Integration: This image is the backbone of network simulations. By importing the .qcow2 file into emulators like EVE-NG or GNS3, engineers can simulate high-end service provider hardware on a standard laptop or server. Let’s dissect the filename to understand what we
Configuration Testing: Before pushing a new BGP policy or VPRN configuration to a production 7750 SR, the virtual image allows for a "sandbox" validation to prevent downtime.
Certification Prep: For those pursuing the Nokia NRS I, NRS II, or SRA certifications, having a local instance of SROS is the most cost-effective way to master the CLI. Deployment Requirements
Running the TiMOS virtual image requires specific hardware acceleration settings to ensure the router boots correctly:
Hypervisor: KVM/QEMU is the preferred environment. While it can run on VMware via conversion, it performs natively best in KVM.
Resources: Typically, a single instance of version 13.0.r4 requires at least 2GB of RAM and 1-2 vCPUs.
VirtIO: The disk interface and network interfaces should be set to VirtIO for optimal driver compatibility and speed. How to Initialize the Image
Once the image is loaded into your hypervisor, the boot process requires a license key and a boot configuration file (bof.cfg). Initial Boot: On the first launch, access the console.
BOF Configuration: Use the command bof primary-config to point the system toward its configuration file location (usually cf3:).
License Key: Without a valid license, the SROS VM will typically boot but may restrict the number of active interfaces or reboot after a specific grace period (often 1-2 hours in "demo" mode). Why Version 13.0.r4?
While newer versions (like 23.x or 24.x) exist, version 13.0.r4 remains popular in legacy lab environments because it is relatively "lightweight." It offers a stable balance of modern features (like advanced LDP and RSVP-TE) without the massive RAM requirements of the latest containerized or modular SROS releases. Conclusion
The Timos-sr-13.0.r4-vm.qcow2 image is a versatile tool for any networking professional looking to deepen their knowledge of Service Provider technologies. By virtualizing the Nokia SROS, you gain a powerful, risk-free environment to master the complexities of modern IP routing.
The file "Timos-sr-13.0.r4-vm.qcow2" is a virtual disk image for the Nokia (formerly Alcatel-Lucent) 7750 Service Router (SR) operating system, known as TiMOS (Terabit Interactive Machine Operating System).
This specific version, 13.0.R4, is a legacy release often used by network engineers for lab simulations and certification prep. 🛠️ What is it used for?
Network professionals use this image to run a Virtual Service Router (vSR) within network simulation platforms. It allows you to test complex routing protocols and configurations without needing expensive physical hardware. Common platforms include:
GNS3: Frequently cited in community forums like Brezular's Blog for building multi-vendor topologies.
EVE-NG: A popular alternative for hosting professional-grade virtual labs.
KVM/QEMU: The underlying virtualization technology that handles the .qcow2 format. 🔍 Technical Breakdown Filename Anatomy: TiMOS: The OS name.
SR: Refers to the Service Router series (specifically the 7750).
13.0.R4: The software version (Major 13, Minor 0, Revision 4). Have you deployed SR OS 13 in your KVM lab
.qcow2: A "Copy On Write" format used by QEMU, which is efficient because it only uses disk space as needed.
Capabilities: Even in this older version, the vSR supports advanced features like MPLS, VPLS, BGP, and RSVP-TE, making it a staple for those studying for the Nokia Service Routing Certification (SRC) program. ⚠️ Implementation Notes
If you are trying to get this running, keep these "gotchas" in mind from the GNS3 community:
NIC Drivers: You may need to set the network interface type to e1000 or virtio-net-pci for the virtual interfaces to be recognized correctly.
Resource Requirements: While lightweight compared to modern versions, it typically requires at least 2GB of RAM and 1-2 vCPUs per instance to run smoothly.
Licensing: Nokia TiMOS images generally require a license file (license.txt) to enable the forwarding plane. Without it, you can often boot the OS and explore the CLI, but traffic won't pass through the interfaces.
Given this information, "Timos-sr-13.0.r4-vm.qcow2" seems to be a virtual machine image file that can be used with QEMU or compatible software. Here are a few potential uses or contexts for this file:
To use this file, you would typically need to:
The exact steps can vary depending on your specific virtualization software and the nature of "Timos."
"Timos-sr-13.0.r4-vm.qcow2" a virtual disk image for the Nokia (formerly Alcatel-Lucent) Service Router Operating System (SR OS) , specifically version 13.0.R4 . It is primarily used as a Virtualized Simulator (vSIM) Virtual Service Router (VSR)
to emulate high-end network routers like the Nokia 7750 SR in lab environments. brezular.com Key Technical Details
(QEMU Copy-On-Write), optimized for virtualization platforms like
: Simulates the control, management, and forwarding functions of physical hardware. Note that the forwarding plane in simulator mode is typically limited to 250 packets per second (pps) per interface. System Requirements : Minimum 2048 MB (2 GB). : x86_64 architecture. : Default credentials are usually admin / admin brezular.com Common Uses in Networking Labs
This specific image is widely used in network emulation software to practice Nokia CLI and configuration:
Alcatel-Lucent Virtualized Simulator on GNS3 - Brezular's Blog
# Create a VM definition
virt-install \
--name vSR-13.0.r4 \
--ram 16384 \
--vcpus 4 \
--disk path=/var/lib/libvirt/images/Timos-sr-13.0.r4-vm.qcow2,format=qcow2,bus=virtio \
--os-variant generic \
--network bridge=br0,model=virtio \
--network bridge=br1,model=virtio \
--import \
--noautoconsole
Explanation: The --import flag skips OS installation, directly booting the qcow2 disk. The two --network parameters provide at least two virtual ports (required for TiMOS to initialize).
If you are working with Service Router (SR) technology, specifically Nokia (formerly Alcatel-Lucent) hardware, you know that getting hands-on practice is crucial. Whether you are preparing for an NRS-II, SRA, or just testing a new configuration, you need a reliable virtual environment.
Today, we are taking a close look at a specific image file that often circulates in lab setups: Timos-sr-13.0.r4-vm.qcow2.
In this post, we will break down what this file actually is, the significance of the version number, and how to get it up and running in your lab.
To use the Timos-sr-13.0.r4-vm.qcow2 file, you generally need a network emulator. Here is a quick guide for the two most popular platforms: