Cisco Packet Tracer 8.2 and GNS3 v2.2.38 have been released ! GNS3 v2.2.38 features Trusted Platform Module (TPM) support for Qemu VMs and Fix link communication issues on Windows with uBridge. Check download page !
GNS3 3.0 is under active development and should include at least the following major changes :
- Faster GNS3 server/controller based on FastAPI (API v3).
- Swagger UI / Redoc API documentation.
- Streamlined web interface
- User management and experimental RBAC API
- Zstd compression for importing/exporting projects
Introduction
Cisco Packet Tracer 8.2 and GNS3 v2.2 are two major network simulation software used for certification exam training (Cisco CCNA and CCNP for example) or network feature test without having to buy expensive real world equipment. The two software have been designed to address different needs.
Packet Tracer is a network simulator and embeds only limited real equipment features. GNS3 is a network emulator based on Dynamips and QEMU running real IOS images, virtual machines, ... The main limitation of GNS3 is the amount of ressources (CPU / memory) available on the PC for running the lab's emulated IOS images and virtual machines for clients & servers simulation.
GNS3 v2.2 official release is now available for download on GNS3 website. This new version released on September 30, 2019 with hyperV virtual machine and link status detection on QEUM. GNS3 also introduced support of new L4 / L7 devices :
- Cisco security devices : this powerful network emulator now supports new Cisco security appliance to help network and security administrators to prepare security certification exams : Cisco Firepower Next-Generation IPS (NGIPS) threat appliances, Cisco Firepower Threat Defense Virtual NGFW appliances and Firepower Management Center Virtual.
- Citrix ADC VPX load-balancer now available on GNS3 marketplace
Current GNS3 build is 2.2.35 as of Novembre 08, 2022.
Cisco Packet Tracer 8.2 and GNS3 v2.2 feature comparison
General | Packet Tracer 8.2 | GNS3 v2.2 |
---|---|---|
Free software | ||
Open source | ||
Free download | ||
Windows support | ||
Linux support | ||
Fully functional IOS | Simulated IOS. Partial features | Real IOS images run in virtual environment |
Catalyst switches | ||
NX-OS switches | ||
ISR routers | ||
ASR routers | ||
ASA firewall | ||
ASA ASDM configuration support | ||
Cisco Firepower Next-Generation IPS (NGIPS) | ||
Cisco Firepower Threat Defense Virtual NGFW | ||
Firepower Management Center Virtual. | ||
WIFI | ||
3G/4G | ||
VOIP | ||
RADIUS | ||
Netflow agent | ||
Netflow collector | ||
SNMP agent | ||
SNMP collector |
GNS3 supported emulators
GNS3 supports the following emulators :
- Dynamics for older Cisco IOS images
- QEMU and VIRL. VIRL images are created specifically by Cisco for simulation and work welfor newer versions of the Cisco IOS, IOS-XR, and up to date features.
- VMWARE
- VirtualBox
- VPCS to emulate a simple PC without GUI
- Docker
GNS3 setup
Install GNS3 on Debian/Ubuntu with the following commands :
sudo apt-get update
sudo apt-get install software-properties-common
sudo add-apt-repository ppa:gns3/ppa
sudo apt-get update
sudo apt-get install gns3-gui
BGP features comparison
Cisco Packet Tracer 8.2 (simulated IOS features)
Packet Tracer 8.2 features only a subset of the BGP functionalities of a real Cisco ISR router. The emulated features focus on CCNA and CCNP certification exam preparation.
Router(config)#router bgp 65000 Router(config-router)#%BGP-4-NORTRID: BGP could not pick a router-id. Please configure manually. Router(config-router)#? bgp BGP specific commands distance Define an administrative distance exit Exit from routing protocol configuration mode neighbor Specify a neighbor router network Specify a network to announce via BGP no Negate a command or set its defaults redistribute Redistribute information from another routing protocol synchronization Perform IGP synchronization timers Adjust routing timers
GNS3 (emulated real IOS features)
GNS3 2.2 features all the features of a real Cisco ISR router as GNS3 is running a real IOS image on emulated hardaware.
R2(config)#router bgp 50000 R2(config-router)#? Router configuration commands: address-family Enter Address Family command mode aggregate-address Configure BGP aggregate entries auto-summary Enable automatic network number summarization bgp BGP specific commands default Set a command to its defaults default-information Control distribution of default information default-metric Set metric of redistributed routes distance Define an administrative distance distribute-list Filter networks in routing updates exit Exit from routing protocol configuration mode help Description of the interactive help system maximum-paths Forward packets over multiple paths neighbor Specify a neighbor router network Specify a network to announce via BGP no Negate a command or set its defaults redistribute Redistribute information from another routing protocol synchronization Perform IGP synchronization table-map Map external entry attributes into routing table template Enter template command mode timers Adjust routing timers
GNS3 requirements
Minimum Requirements
OS | Windows 7 (64 bit) and later, Mavericks (10.9) and later, Any Linux Distro - Debian/Ubuntu are provided and supported |
Processor | 2 or more Logical cores - AMD-V / RVI Series or Intel VT-X / EPT - virtualization extensions present and enabled in the BIOS. More resources allows for larger simulation |
Memory | 4 GB RAM |
Storage | 1 GB available space (Windows Installation is less than 200MB |
Additional Notes | More storage is needed for OS and Device Images. |
Recommended Requirements
OS | Windows 7 (64 bit) and later, Mavericks (10.9) and later, Any Linux Distro - Debian/Ubuntu are provided and supported |
Processor | 4 or more Logical cores - AMD-V / RVI Series or Intel VT-X / EPT - virtualization extensions present and enabled in the BIOS. More resources allows for larger simulation |
Memory | 8 GB RAM |
Storage | SSD - 35 GB available space |
Additional Notes | Additional RAM up to 16 gigs and i7 or equivalent for optimal usage. Virtualizing devices is processor and memory intensive. More is better but properly configured device trumps RAM and Processing power. |