As a virtualiser, it achieves near native performances by executing the guest code directly on the host CPU. As a machine emulator, it enables programs made for one system to be run on different machines (e.g., programs developed for ARM can be run on a PC).
Remember that VPCS is just a program running on Linux or Windows supporting a few network commands. It is possible to use the ping and traceroute commands from or towards these virtual PCs. VPCS: This is a virtual PC simulator, which can simulate up to nine PCs.Further, it provides management CLI for device functions such as start, stop, suspend, reload, console connection, etc. It uses a simple configuration file for specifying virtual router configurations, and enables interconnecting of routers and WAN technologies such as ATM, frame relays and switches. Dynagen: A text based front-end to Dynamips, which uses the hypervisor mode to communicate with Dynamips.Dynamips: Base of GNS3, a Cisco router simulator.The important dependencies are listed below. Successfully installing these dependencies is a prerequisite. GNS3 depends on several libraries and components.
describes GNS3 as The software that empowers network professionals.įigure 1: GNS3 starting Figure 2: Adding new IOS Router GNS3 was introduced in September 2007 with a GUI, drag-and-drop facilities for adding network components, and easy storage of created objects and topology. It also provided a simple virtual switch. Version 0.2.5 of Dynamips, released in 2006, introduced hypervisor mode and enabled multiple router simulations on one PC. It had a text based interface and could simulate only one router on one PC, at a time. In 2005, Christophe Fillot wrote Dynamips – a Cisco router simulator. It is also used by students to prepare for lab tests conducted by various certification providers.
Is there a way out of this? Yes! Many professionals use GNS3 to simulate complex networks. Troubleshooting such networks could also be really difficult if strict change management policies are in place, and specially if downtime and disruption are to be avoided under any circumstances. Reconfiguring a live network – for example, while implementing access control lists (ACLs) in an enterprise network – can be a challenging task. The GNS3 website describes it as the software that empowers network professionals. This article provides the reader with the basics of GNS3 and a few test labs, which could be tried out by interested readers. GNS3 is a software emulator for networks.