Part 1: Before you use this disk…
* This program requires VMware to be installed on your host computer.
Go to www.vmware.com and get a copy of Vmware Player for Windows (free) or Vmware Fusion for Macintosh (not free)
* This program requires a copy of a Cisco IOS image – preferably c3725-adventerprisek9-mz.124-15.T10.bin
Part 2: Now that you have VMware installed and an IOS image ready…
* Copy the “GNS3 WorkBench 5.x” folder to your hard drive – into a folder called “Virtual Machines” is a good place. There would have been such a folder created when you installed VMware Player/Fusion:
Windows XP - My documents/Virtual Machines/ Windows 7/Vista <username>/Documents/Virtual Machines/ Macintosh OS X ~/Documents/Virtual Machines/
Part 3: First run…
* From that folder, open the .vmx file (double click – or open from VMWare)
* When asked “Did you move this virtual machine…”, answer “I copied it”
* When the VM opens – maximise the VM to the full screen (you may have to maximise/shrink/maximise to get it to work)
Part 4: My VM is running, now what????
Before you can enjoy using GNS3, you have to get your IOS image copied to the virtual machine, and uncompress it.
* Note the directory on your host machine where you have stored the IOS image
* With your Virtual Machine running, choose the appropriate steps below according to the version of VMware you are running:
- VMWare Player: (Note, you may have to move your mouse to the very top and centre or your screen to see the menu)
. click VMware Player->Shared Folders
. enable shared folders and
. share the folder where you have stored the IOS image
- VM Fusion (Mac): (Note, you may have to move your mouse to the very top and centre or your screen to see the menu)
. click Virtual Machine->Shared Folders->Turn Shared Folders On
. click Virtual Machine->Shared Folders->Add Shared Folder
. share the folder where you have stored the IOS image
* Now from within the Ubuntu environment on the Virtual Machine:
* Open the desktop folder “READMEs and scripts” to open a browser window.
- Click on the “File System” Icon in the “Places” list (on the left panel)
. Open the /mnt folder, then the hgfs folder. You should be able to see your host machine’s shared folder.
. copy the IOS image to Ubuntu’s /opt/GNS3/IOS directory
* Bring up a command window – Click Applications->Konsole should do it
- enter the following commands
cd /opt/GNS3/IOS ls -lh ;#to check your IOS image is indeed there unzip -p NAME_OF_YOUR_IOS_IMAGE.bin > NAME_OF_YOUR_IOS_IMAGE.image ls -lh ;#to check your uncompressed IOS image was created rm NAME_OF_YOUR_IOS_IMAGE.bin ;#to remove the original
If your IOS image is the recommended c3725-adventerprisek9-mz.124-15.T10.bin image for a C3725, then you are ready to:
* Explore the pre-configured exercises from the desktop, or open the folder “GNS Files – More exercises here” to explore
* Read the Readme files within the GNS3 WorkBench environment
* If your PC seems to be running at a high CPU rate, read Part 5.
* Enjoy
Part 5: I don’t have the recommended C3725 image, but have another c3725 image or and image for a 2600 or 2691
* THIS IS VERY EXPERIMENTAL
* Copy the image to the /opt/GNS3/IOS directory and uncompress it as described above in Part 4
* Configure GNS3 to use this image for this model router
(Click Edit->IOS images and hypervisors: add the Image file & Model)
* Find a good idlepc value for this router/image. Read The document:
/opt/GNS3/READMEs & Scripts/GNS3-0.5-tutorial.pdf (or download it from here) to find how to get a good idlepc value, or read The Illusive Art of Acquiring A Good Idle-PC Value
* Write down the good idlepc value you found
* make a backup copy of the /opt/GNS3/Project directory
* run the script /opt/GNS3/IOS/script to change firmware image
Chris Welsh
rednectar.chris@ [hidden - but tip - I have a google mail account]http://rednectar.net
@rednectarchris
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Hi Chris
I have just got your GNS3 appliance up and running smoothly!!
It is very easy, tidy and impressive and hope to spend more learning about networking.
What is your immediate goal by providing such nicely configured workbench? Since you have put a lot of hours into preparing it.
Thanks!!
Tony
Hi Tony – thanks for the kind comments.
My immediate goal is to update the current Virtual Machine with the latest GNS3 v0.7.3 – it has quite a few enhancements, but at the same time also upgrade the version of VPCs, and I’m working with the developer to get the last bugs ironed out – in fact I have a new version for testing now which may do the job, but it will mean I have to change some of the labs because some of the syntax has changed (ping now can ping port numbers as well as doing ordinary ICMP echos).
After that, I hope to get some more labs built, including ASA labs (and possibly PIX firewall too). Most of all, I need to write a tutorial so others can write labs and submit them!
Hi Chris ,
Very good project, I want do know when you will release new project with latest gn3 version please ?.
Regards,
Kamui
Hi Kamui. I actually have a “next” version almost ready to go, including GNS3 v0.7.3, VPCs v0.21a and a simple IPv6 exercise. I’ll try and get it uploaded tomorrow.
Ok Thanks Chris
I’ve posted the new version on sourceforge.net. The latest version is version 5.6, uploaded on 2011-03-22 and includes Ubuntu 10.10, GNS3 v0.73 and VPCs v0.21a
Hi Chris,
Just installed the new Workbench. Simply great. Using the WB to prepare for my CCNA. Got a work buddy lso hooked it WB.
I noticed that you follow a certain pattern when developing the exercises and labs. Have you documented this procedure somewhere? I would like to adapt some of the labs we have developed for our own training using your method. Once I have them mapped to the WB standards we would not mind sharing them.
Thank you for such a amazing tool.
Hi Luis,
I’ll post it as an article since you ask, but the file /opt/GNS3/READMEs & Scripts/README to see How to use the Project folders/ gives you the rundown. Basically, I have one startup script file, which can be renamed startup.n (+some description). This script, when run, looks for the a digit (n) in its filename, then copies the folder Configs.n* to Configs, and if they exist, the files instruction.n* to instruction, topology.n* to topology.net, and startup.x.vpc to startup.vpc. It then fires up GNS3, displays the instructions and kicks off a Konsole window with vpcs running ready to go.
PS: I’ve done the article. Its at http://rednectar.net/adding-new-exercises-to-gns3-workbench/
Using Vmware Fusion 2.0 I can’t connect from Ubuntu to the Mac host to access the IOS image. I think I need to install vmware tools but I can’t because I don’t know the superuser password. Can you either provide the superuser password or some other direction?
Thanks!
Chris,
1. Make sure you have shared folders turned on on the Mac.
2. You shouldn’t need to install VMWare tools – already done. Superuser password for Ubuntu is password
3. Alternative approach if you can’t get shared folders working:
3a. Plug in USB Stick – if VMWare Fusions asks what to connect to, say Macintosh
3b. Copy IOS to USB Memory stick.
3c. Unplug USB Memory stick
3d. Make sure Ubuntu VM has USB support enabled.
3e. Start the VM, wait till loaded.
3f. Plug USB Memory stick back in, this time VMWare Fusion should ask “Connect to Mac or VM”
3g. Say “Connect to VM”
3h. An icon should appear on the desktop for the USB drive, open it and copy the IOS to /opt/GNS3/IOS
And life will be sweet (I hope).
Please reaport back on how it goes and which method you sued so I can add it to the release notes.
Chris (rednectar)
I cannot get asa802 to run under GNS3 Workbench, it requires qemu, but I cannot find the qemu and qemu-img binaries, the Test button in the qemu preferences window shows: failed. I do not know what to install into the ubuntu. Or does qemu only run under windows? All comments in the web seem to refer to that. Would that mean no ASA or IDS under GNS3 Workbench? The PIX724 does run. It was difficult enough to find the unpack utilities required to unpack the pix and asa images. I do now have the required initrd and kernel images.
Thanks in advance.
I concentrated on getting the stuff needed for CCNA level onto the GNS3 WorkBench. It should be possible to get qemu working, but I have not tried on that distro (have done it on the Mac, not Linux yet)
To get it working on the Mac I had to follow Jeremy’s tutorial at http://blog.gns3.net/2009/12/how-to-emulate-cisco-asa/ plus use some troubleshooting skills, read a few more articles and eventually I got there. Can’t remember the whole process – but if you manage to get it going, I’d love to hear how you did it & with your permission turn it into an article
Ah, at least that doesn’t let me look too dumb.
I had already read these blogs to some extend, they do refer to certain qemu packages which I couldn’t find in GNS3 workbench.
I also do not yet understand the role of the qemuwrapper, will it contain qemu or just wrap it. In addition, I’m also surprised pix works, since it should use qemu too. But maybe it uses the pemu version.
Finally, I just wondered, since the workbench is a VM itself: maybe certain virtualization flags of the CPU are required by qemu which do not work within the virtual appliance.
I’d desperately need ASA, IPS, maybe even one or the other ‘real’ Qemu Host (read: w2k3 or sim). I’m still wondering if I should try an own opensuse (which I know much better) or better a non-vm install (see virtualization flags above), esp. for performance.
I think I’ll try a bit harder on the workbench for a few days, a virtual appliance has many convenient, advantages. If I succeed, rest assured you’ll get detailed instructions on what is missing. Maybe even for inclusion in future versions.
I got everything up and running. However I am unable to see my shared folder. I was able to find a youtube video that tells you have to copy images into the VMware program via drag and drop. You still need to complete step 4 to get them up and running. This is how I was able to get an IOS into GNS3. I have used VMware before and the method for adding a shared folder is the same. I followed the steps and yet it doesn’t appear on my desktop. What am I doing wrong?
Thank you,
Hi Sheni,
You can find your shared folder here > cd /mnt/hgfs/
Hi, this might be the best thing i have come across since i started studying for my CCNA, but i cant get it to work
.
I dont have the c3725-adventerprisek9-mz.124-15.T10.bin, and my own C3725 image wont work:
unzip -p C3725-AD.BIN > C375-AD.BIN
[C3725-AD.BIN]
End-of-central-directory signature not found. Either this file is not
a zipfile, or it constitutes one disk of a multi-part archive. In the
latter case the central directory and zipfile comment will be found on
the last disk(s) of this archive.
note: C3725-AD.BIN may be a plain executable, not an archive
i then get a 203-Bad number of parameters (1 with min/max=2/2) when i try and open a lab. (i am also getting this error on my home windows pc but not my work pc even whem all my gns3 settings seems similar)
appreciate any help, or direction. am i missing something???? or it just works with the c3725-adventerprisek9-mz.124-15.T10.bin which i dont have
or cant find.
Hi singa,
1. I’d say that your image file is almost certainly corrupt if you can’t unzip it.
2. You can use a different c3725 image, but you need to follow the instructions that you find in the \opt\GNS3\IOS directory
Chris (RedNectar)
yesssss, it works. got a new c3725 image, uncompressed it, restarted the vm, and voila!
Hi Chris – I’d like to add my own thanks for this project, it’s a huge help to me and I really appreciate you sharing the work you’ve put into this.
I’m actually looking to recertify CCNP using this, so it’s a great platform to build upon.
Quick clarification if possible please – I’m using VMware Workstation, and have:
first interface set to bridged mode (eth0 in linux),
second set to vmnet8 NAT (192.168.43.0/24 eth1)
third to set to host only (eth2)
As I have eth1 on my real physical network, what is the purpose for the NAT’d interface as won’t all my traffic connect out via the bridged network?
Also what is the purpose of the third interface?
I’m looking to connect two physical interface on my box to a real switches, so wondered if you’d done the same and if so how you did it?
Thanks again,
Steve
Steve,
I have to admit it took me a long time to get my head around what all the VMWare interfaces were doing on the host machine, and then to relate them to the interfaces on the Virtual Machine.
So far, your description of the view of the three interfaces on the host machine is correct – ie:
vmnet0 – automatically bridged to the host machines physical adapter – works like a charm IF you ONLY HAVE ONE adapter on your host (if you have a laptop with both Ethernet AND Wireless then see below)
vmnet1 – creates a subnet between your host machine and your virtual machine – acts as a dhcp server for your virtual machine but gives ONLY an IP address/mask – no default gateway or DNS
vmnet8 – creates a subnet between your host machine and your virtual machine – acts as a dhcp server for your virtual machine gives IP address/mask AND default gateway & DNS services to virtual machine
The main purpose of vmnet8 is to give you access to external resources in case your vmnet0 interface doesn’t give you an IP or you don’t know what IP to give it.
I’ll try and add more later.
Chris — thank you for putting this VM and the rest of the project together. I’ve been able to work on some labs that I would never have been able to otherwise.
I did want to add that I have this VM up and running in VirtualBox on my Mac using version 4.0.12 r72916. I had to reconfigure the NICs, but other than that, it went very smoothly. I simply created a new VM using an existing disk from the GNS3 Workbench VM, configured the ethernet adapters as you described in one of your posts and set up a shared folder.
Again, many thanks!
James
Thanks James, this has been on my “to do” list for some time. Glad to hear it was so easy. I’ll have to update my documentation for those who don’t want to pay for VMware Fusion!
Can i use for CCIE security LAB setup for this,Appreciate Response with ASA and all Stuff
GNS3 WorkBench comes with a bunch of exercises aimed at CCNA standard. I have not set up ASA on GNS3 WorkBench. BUT if you know how to setup ASA, then there is no reason why you could not do that in the GNS3 WorkBench VM.
Sorry I don’t have a better answer.
Hi singa!
I have a same problem with unpacker.
Which 3725 image worked for you?
Thanks
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Hi,
I am newbie with GNS3 and i find the workbench very reliable for use. It really helpful for someone who wants to discover the power of this tool.
Thanks a lot
Thanks. Hope you get a lot out of it.
CW
Chris Welsh,
First of all, thank you very much for sharing your project after putting so much effort and time into it. I have been playing with GNS3 for some time now in preparation for CCNA renewal.
c3725 image :
docs [dot] google [dot] com
/open?id=0B8-HXk9V9qhbN2E5Y2ZlYTktMDA3ZS00ZWM0LThjOTgtYWM4NTdmMzc2Mzk2
Worked like a charm in VirtualBox 4.0.10 running on Ubuntu 10.04. Just followed James tip to be able to run it on VB.
Chris – Many thanks for putting this together. That is a great job.
James – Thanks for the wonderful tip. I used to work with VMware a couple of years ago before I fell in love with VirtualBox.
Thanks a million.
Luda
Hi Chris,
Just wanted to add my thanks and congratulations to all the other plaudits. I’ve converted the VM so it runs under ESX 4.1 and all is well with one minor question (and this points at my inexperience as opposed to a real problem).
I’d really like to work with a full desktop sized x client rather than the “compact” display that I get with the console access via ESX.
Does anyone have good tips for getting a “bigger” display when using ESX.
Regards,
Dave.
Isn’t there a key combination like Ctrl-Alt-Enter that puts you in FullScreen Mode?
The Ubuntu VM should have the open source protocol VNC and the vino server by default. The following article should help. Go about one third of the way down the page to the section on “Real VNC”. Use this Windows client where appropriate. http://www.ubuntugeek.com/share-your-ubuntu-desktop-using-remote-desktop.html
This setup assumes that your environment is friendly enough to authorize a Linux VM to touch the network. More to follow.
Thanks for the link. Haven’t tested it myself, but see no reason why it wouldn’t work.
HI Chris, Thank you for your magnificient work.
Let me alert you and others about new VMWare player 4.02:
Doesn’t work!!
I’ve installed that for my 1st experience of workbench and recieved some errors about wrong driver… and I’ve to uninstall version 4.02 installed 3.1.5 and everything worked fine
Best Regards
FRancisco
Thanks for the heads up. I’ll try and figure out what the problem is.
Hi Chris ! And Thank You for all this Work ! Amazing !
I have install GNSWB everything works fine , i use Virtual Box for GNS and my vm machine
One thing i dont get do , when i try to use your lab or exercises …if i double click on any of them , i get a html file : “***************************************************************
CONGRATULATIONS : You have GNS3 WorkBench running, BUT…
***************************************************************
…before you can enjoy using GNS3, you have to have an IOS image for a Cisco 3725, 2600 or 2691 Router stored in the /opt/GNS3/IOS directory.
Etc……
Am i missing something ?
i have setting up everything ios etc… but that page always comes up ??
Patrick D
Patrick. When you run an exercise, GNS3WB looks in the /opt/GNS3/IOS/ directory to see if there is at least one file with a name ending in .image. If none is found, it displays this message. Best way to fix it is to use an uncompressed image in that directory with a .image extension.
Hello,
many thanks to you
but i have a problem in router terminal .
i did all what you mentioned .
router’s terminal is opened but not connected to the IOS itself .
any help?
thanks
Not sure what the problem is, but if I were at your side I would:
1. Check to see that the routers have started and have green dots on their interfaces.
2. Look for error messages in the Dynagen Console window
3. Check that the image you are using is valid
4. Right click on the router (or hover pointer over router) and see what port number is being used for console, then try and telnet to that port (eg if port 2001, type telnet 127.0.0.1 2001)
HTH
Red,
I can’t seem to get the script work that changes the image file to an alternate image. I have a 2691 image file. When I try and run your script all I get is a Script started, file it to output. When I open a lab it is still looking for the 3725 image file. What am I missing here?? Any help is appreciated and as always great work!!!