How to Install EVE-NG: Step-by-Step Guide for VMware, VirtualBox

Description:

EVE-NG (Emulated Virtual Environment – Next Generation) is a powerful network emulation platform that allows IT professionals, students, and enterprises to design, test, and simulate complex networks in a virtualized environment. It supports multi-vendor devices such as Cisco, Juniper, Palo Alto, MikroTik, and many more, making it an ideal choice for labs, training, and certification preparation (CCNA, CCNP, CCIE, CEH, etc.). With its web-based interface, EVE-NG enables seamless collaboration, realistic network topologies, and hands-on practice without the need for expensive hardware.

EVE-NG Installation on VMware Workstation 

1. Prerequisites

Make sure you have:

VMware Workstation 16/17 Pro installed.

EVE-NG ISO (Community or Pro edition) → download from: https://www.eve-ng.net/download.

PC Hardware Requirements (recommended):

CPU: Intel/AMD with virtualization enabled (VT-x/AMD-V).

1. RAM: 16 GB minimum (32 GB for large labs).
2. Disk: 100+ GB SSD.

Download the Community Edition of EVE-NG. Use the MEGA/Google links Full ISO.

2. 🖥️ Create a New Virtual Machine

1. Open VMware Workstation → Create a New Virtual Machine.
2. Choose Custom (Advanced).
3. Select Installer disc image (ISO) → Browse for EVE-NG ISO.
4. OS Type:
• Guest OS: Linux
• Version: Ubuntu 64-bit
5. Name VM → Example: EVE-NG-Server.
6. Set CPU & RAM (recommended):
• CPUs: 4 (minimum) – better 8 if available.
• RAM: 8 GB (minimum) – better 16 GB.
7. Network: Use NAT.
8. Virtual Disk:
• Size: 200 GB
• Store as single file.

3. Install EVE-NG: Create a New Virtual machine, click on File > New Virtual Machine choose Custom (Advanced) click Next.

Choose the default Virtual machine hardware compatibility and click Next.

Select “I will install the operating system later” and click Next.

Select a Guest Operating system: Linux and select the version: Ubuntu 64-bit

Enter the name for your EVE-COMM VM and select Location where your EVE VM will be stored on the host PC and click Next.

Select max Number of processors, and Number of cores per processor =1

Assign desirable memory for your EVE VM and click Next

Select then network for your EVE VM. For Laptop it is recommended to use NAT Adaptor.

Leave recommended I/O settings, LSI Logic and click Next.

Leave recommended Disk Type (SCSI) settings and click Next.

Select Create a new virtual disk and click Next.

Select your desirable HDD size. It is recommended to set minimum 200GB or more. Select Store virtual disk as single file and click Next.

Specify Disk File location click Next.

Select Customize Hardware

IMPORTANT! Select CPU and Enable Virtualize Intel VT-x/EPT option

Select CD/DVD Option: “use ISO image file.” Browse to your downloaded eve-ce-prod-5.0.1-22- full.iso (actual name can be different) file.

Click Finish to complete VM setup

Power ON EVE VM.

Chose Install EVE-NG Community Server and confirm with Enter.

Select English language. Confirm with Enter.

Make sure if English US keyboard is selected and confirm with Enter.

If your DHCP IP settings are correct, select Done and confirm with Enter. If you have proxy in use for your internet, assign your network proxy settings. If no proxy in use, with Tab key select Continue and confirm with Enter.

Select “Continue” and confirm with Enter.

After the Ubuntu “Install Complete” select “Reboot Now” and hit Enter to continue.

Save VM Settings.

Without powering off the EVE VM, open the EVE VM settings and remove CD/DVD ISO Device

Return back to EVE console screen and confirm Continue with Enter, EVE VM will reboot and continue installation

Depending on your internet speed EVE installation will take some time. After installation EVE. VM will auto reboot and EVE login screen will appear, login in CLI with root/eve

After your EVE is rebooted, Login to EVE CLI

Type the domain name (default is example.com):

Select if management IP address should be staticor configured by DHCP (default is DHCP, use arrow keys and space to select, then enter to confirm): Static IP address will ask for IP address, netmask, default gateway, primary and secondary DNS servers.

Configure how the EVE VM can access Internet (default is direct connection, use arrow keys and space to select, then enter to confirm):

After the last confirm EVE will reboot. Once you see the login prompt, the system is successfully configured. Then click go or press enter. The following page will load. The username is admin and password are eve. Which is different from CLI Console username.

Access EVE-NG Web Interface

1. Open your browser and go to:
2. https://192.168.142.100 (e.g)
3. Default login:
4. Username: admin
5. Password: eve

3.  Post-Installation Setup

• Update EVE-NG:
• apt-get update && apt-get upgrade -y

• /opt/unetlab/wrappers/unl_wrapper-a fixpermissions

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) — EVE‑NG Installation

1. What are the minimum system requirements to install EVE‑NG?
To install EVE‑NG, you need a virtualization platform like VMware Workstation, an EVE‑NG ISO file, and a system with at least 16 GB RAM and 100 GB free disk space. Virtualization (VT‑x/AMD‑V) must be enabled in BIOS for proper operation. (Tech Bit)

2. Can I install EVE‑NG using VMware Workstation or VirtualBox?
Yes, the tutorial explains how to create a virtual machine in VMware Workstation using the EVE‑NG ISO. While the article doesn’t include VirtualBox steps, similar principles apply when setting up a VM — choose the Linux OS type and allocate sufficient CPU, RAM, and disk. (Tech Bit)

3. What is the default login for accessing the EVE‑NG web interface?
After installation, open a web browser and enter the VM’s IP (e.g., https://192.168.142.100), then use:

Username: admin  Password: eve 

Note: The CLI login (root/eve) is different from the web GUI login.

4. How do I configure management IP settings during installation?
During setup in the EVE‑NG CLI, you can choose whether to use DHCP for automatic IP assignment or set a static IP by entering network details manually (IP address, netmask, gateway, DNS).

5. What should I do after installing EVE‑NG?
After the first boot and login, update the system with commands like apt‑get update && apt‑get upgrade ‑y and run the EVE‑NG permission fix script (/opt/unetlab/wrappers/unl_wrapper ‑a fixpermissions).