GNS3 + VMWare + IOU

GNS3 + VMWare + Docker + IOU switching

I heard many people complaining that they prefer to use Packet Tracer over GNS, because it is easier. Respectively that it is difficult to install GNS3. So here we go with a howto Install GNS3 and VMWare virtual GNS3 see

So first things first > 

1. Downlad VmWare
-- https://my.vmware.com/en/web/vmware/free#desktop_end_user_computing/vmware_workstation_player/12_0|PLAYER-1211|product_downloads

2. Install VMWare Player
--

chmod a+x VMware-Player-12.1.1-3770994.x86_64.bundle
sudo ./VMware-Player-12.1.1-3770994.x86_64.bundle
 

This makes the .bundle file executable (permission change) 

Start the installation.

3. Install GNS3

sudo add-apt-repository ppa:gns3/ppa
sudo apt-get update
sudo apt-get install gns3-gui

-- In case you want to use GNS3 in cloud (i.e. on Wedos VPS) install only gns3server and connect to it from local GUI app 
(connection via VPN recommended)

4. L2 switching

-- To be able to use L2 switch properly - I advise to use IOU images.

You can also practice Spanning Tree, Etherchannels, etc. 
-- You can also use L2 switch in VMWare or openvswitch

5. VDI and GNS3

-- Use Docker to see if networking between apps is running. Also good for quick light-weight virtualization of Linux Apps. Also use Virtual PC images via VMWare or VirtualBox (Win7, XP, full weight machines)
-- For full Linux OS virtualization use LXD / LXC - incredibly fast  & lightweight

-- In a case you are having 2 graphic cards install just in case:

sudo add-apt-repository ppa:yannubuntu/boot-repair
sudo apt-get update
sudo apt-get install -y boot-repair

boot-repair 

6. see Virtualization blog postto continue further ;)