#Free gns3 labs for ccna how to
#Free gns3 labs for ccna serial
#Free gns3 labs for ccna Pc
#Free gns3 labs for ccna simulator
#Free gns3 labs for ccna windows

The file is basically a script for the program, you can assign addresses to the simulated PCs at the program’s command line interface, should you want to change them when running, without restarting it. The config file is called startup.vpc and is located in the directory where you unpacked vpsc. Next step is configuring vpcs and starting it.

#Free gns3 labs for ccna Pc

When both PC clouds are configured with their corresponding UDP ports, add a link between the routers and the clouds, in our case between fa0/1 on each router, to the cloud underneath them. Then we do the same thing with PC2, which will use local port 30001, host 127.0.0.1, and remote port 20001. Then the “NIO UDP” tab, because that is what we will use to communicate with our virtual PCs, two UDP ports, and since we are running both dynamips and vpcs on the localhost, we will connect to the port on host 127.0.0.1. To do that we right click on the first one, PC1, and choose “Configure”. The first thing we need to do to be able to connect to vpcs is to configure the two Cloud devices. Up to 9 PCs can be simulated by vpcs, we will use two this time, the ports we will use are then 2000, and 2001. The default ports for vpcs are, listening: UDP 20000 and up, remote (dynamips’ end): UDP 30000 and up.

#Free gns3 labs for ccna simulator

Before continuing, we can rename the devices, and adding some textlabels to the topology, so it looks something like the screenshot below.Ĭonfiguring the Cloud devices and Virtual PC Simulator The Topology Summary on the right side gives a good overview which interface is connected to which, on which device.

#Free gns3 labs for ccna serial

Now we have the routers connected in a triangle, using their serial interfaces.

Create the other two serial connections in the same way. Now we create the serial links, by clicking on the “Add a link” button, and choosing “Manual”, then when clicking on R1, we choose s0/0 from the list of interfaces, then click on R2, selecting the interface we want to connect to, in this case s0/1. (But do remember and really note, “Now I connect this to that using a crossover cable.” (even if you really don’t see it, in GNS3) when you build the topology, to get it in your head properly and not get bad habits.) Creating the serial links In GNS3 cabletype is insignificant, we will therefor connect the simulated PC:s directly to the routers instead. We skip the switches completely, as they are only there to make it possible to not use any crossover cables in this (and many other) labs. After adding the three routers, add two Cloud units, they will be our simulated PC:s. I use the “Router c2600” with a “” IOS image. The first thing we do is add the three routers, using a model, with an IOS image that you have already configured. Choose an appropriate name, like “testlab_ppp”, remember to check the “Export router configuration files” checkbox. Upon start we are asked to either name, and create a new project, or open an existing one. When starting GNS3 we have an empty working space. This is the topology that we will use, as shown in the CCNA4 curriculum lab manual. When you have a router set up and configured with an IDLE PC value that doesn’t consume all your processor cycles, continue building the topology in GNS3, as follows. Also remember to add a WIC-2T card to the router, or make sure it has two serial interfaces.

#Free gns3 labs for ccna how to

Read the “Creating the Simplest Topology” section of the PDF linked above to learn how to accomplish that.

The first thing you should do is following the documentation of GNS3, to set up a router with an IOS image, and set it’s IDLE PC value.

PuTTY (or the telnet client of your choice on the OS you run).

#Free gns3 labs for ccna windows

GNS3 (the all-in-one Windows installer including Dynamips, Pemu and WinPCAP if under Windows).

I will try to give a decent how-to styled instruction how to accomplish this using GNS3 (under Windows since that’s what this box runs at the moment). But, in many cases to play with certain protocols or functions, emulating the hardware works as good, or better, if you don’t have a decent rack with hardware in your home. The strong point of Packet Tracer is it’s design mode, basically one can build larger topologies, and atleast look at them, and simulate basic network functionality, but if one wants to learn to configure and handle real equipment, using real equipment is the only way. It does have one strong point, and it is CPU and memory usage, compared to emulating router hardware, which this article will be mainly about. Cisco’s Packet Tracer works for very basic labs, but it has so many irritating small things that are missing, that it causes more frustration than nice experiences if doing anything involving anything more than the absoulte basic configurations.