Apart from Cisco, you can also import other vendors’ devices such as Juniper, Palo Alto, Fortinet, etc.

It’s also a cross-platform application, so you can download and install it on Windows, Linux, and macOS.

GNS3 is an open-source application, so it is available to everyone.

Some of the benefits of os using GNS3 are given below: Since, it allows me to run firewalls such as Palo Alto, and FortiGate I used the same tool to solve my technical issues. The beauty of this application is that you can integrate any new application and learn it very efficiently. I am a network security engineer, and today I also using the GNS3 network simulator.

So, in case, if you need to connect your Routers or Switches with any operating systems, you can connect. In GNS3, you have a facility called, u-bridge, which can be used to connect any GNS3 appliance with other virtualization applications such as VMWare Workstation and Virtual Box. GNS3 supports virtual routers and switches in the IOU (IOS on Unix) and IOS (Internetworking Operating System) formats. However, to use different virtual products (i.e., Cisco/Juniper Routers, Switches, Firewalls) on GNS3, you just need to get a binary image of the devices. By default, you will get some pre-defined device templates. The GUI of the GNS3 network simulator is straightforward to use. Palo Alto, Cisco ASA, and FortiGate within the GNS3.

So, you can able to run virtual firewalls directly on it. You will get an amazing experience of virtualization.Īnother best thing is that newer versions of GNS3 support QCOW files, which means you can run KVM virtual machines directly on it. CCNA, CCNP, or CCIE, you defiantly try it out. In case, if you are a networking student and preparing for any of the Cisco Certifications, i.e. GNS3 is also a cross-platform network simulator, so you can easily download and install it on Windows, Linux, and macOS-based systems. So, you can easily practice with different products to build your carrier in networking. Since it’s an open-source tool, so you can easily run different appliances belonging to different vendors. GNS3 is a Network Simulator that lets you run virtual network devices like Routers, Switch, and Firewalls. GNS3 stands for Graphical Network Simulator.

Getting Started with GNS3 – Creating the First Project in GNS3.

Download GNS3 VM Images (VMWare & Virtual Box).

Download GNS3 for the Linux Operating system.

Free cisco ios image download for gns3