Simulating Network Labs using GNS3 and VMware on your PC:

In this post, we will learn to setup, configure and test an entire network topology on your stand-alone PC using Virtualization. This article is useful for Learning and testing Networks, Also helpful for setting up home labs for industry certification like Cisco and Linux.

In this module, we will –

  • Create 5 Virtual Linux boxes using VMware and configure them on different subnets.
  • Simulate 2 virtual Cisco routers using GNS3 and connect them using Ethernet.
  • Configure Cisco routers for RIP routing and verify the connectivity.
  • Use Wireshark to sniff the network traffic for troubleshooting.

Network Topology

Network Topology

So let’s get started –

Installing and configuring VMware:

  1. Download and Install VMware workstation.
  2. Configure 4 virtual Network adapters which are as follows -
    • DSL1 = 192.168.2.2 (VMnet2)
    • DSL2 = 192.168.3.2 (VMnet3)
    • DSL3 = 192.168.4.2 (VMnet4)
    • DSL4 = 192.168.5.2 (VMnet5)
  3. Create 4 Linux virtual box(Damn Small Linux) using VMware workstation and assign different VMnet to each.

Installing and configuring GNS3:

  1. Download and install GNS3 ( http://gns3.net/ ).
  2. Simulate two Cisco routers and configure it using Dynamips Hypervisor.
  3. Use ‘cloud’ to connect the Virtual Linux boxes by selecting NIO_gen_eth.
  4. Verify the connectivity.

Use Wireshark to troubleshoot the Network connection.

Download full document here..Network-simulation


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  • JP
    Hi,

    Seems the link for the PDF is broken. Can anyone post a new link, or fix the boken link?

    Thanks

    JP
  • sorry for the inconvenience JP,
    the link is fixed, Try now
  • dawood_pasha
    i want all ccvp simulations
  • JJ
    Hi Yogi,

    Couple of questions -

    1 . For far what i have done is - build 5 linux box on VMWARE and connect them to VMWARE network, able to ping from the host machine to those 5 linx box but can't do the oppostite - do you know? Am I missing something or that's how it suppose to be?

    2. I am bit lost at 'Connecting Virtual Machine to the Routers' section.
    I have brough one cloud in the workplace and connect them according to the PDF. The FastEtherent port (where the cloud is connected) received an IP address via Cloud's DHCP (cloud is connected on VMNET8 - NAT). I can ping my VM Linux boxes from that router but can't do the reverse yet (need to create route for that). Am I in right track?

    3.Now, on 'Buidling a Simple Network Topology' section, I am not understand the first line - 'Configure and connect the routers with the clouds N1, N2, N3 and N4'. In the picture above it is showing 4 computers....do i need to connect 4 PC or 4 Clouds? I connected 4 PC with the routers (2 each) according to the picture but don't know what to do next....
    Could you please clear that section for me???

    Another thing, before connecting 4 PC, i connected 4 clouds but like that other port (which received an IP from DHCP of VMNET8 NET), rest 3 ports didn't receive IP automatically. Is that correct or am I doing something wrong.

    I'll be very greatful if you reply me back ASAP.

    And thanks a lot for developing such a nice lab and documentation.
  • @Q1. configure the IP addresses of the guest virtual machine.. on linux DSL, use 'sudo su' to login as root and configure the ip address using the command - " ifconfig eth0 <ip_addr> netmask 255.255.255.0 " Make sure that the Guest Machine IP is in same subnet as the Host virtual Network Adapter (VMnet) IP.
    @Q2. Again.. configure the IP address on the guest machine.
    @Q3. use cloud nodes instead of PC nodes.
    @Q4. DHCP has to be enabled in the Virtual Network Editor setting.

    PS: you may also need to bring the interface up and running on DSL.. use the command "ifconfig eth0 up" to do so..

    All the Best.. :)
  • JJ
    Hi Yogi,
    @Q1 - Aren't the Guest LINUX VM get the IP address from the DHCP on Virttual Network Editor?
  • Yes.. they would get the IP via VMware's DHCP.. but make sure that the interfaces are up in DSL Virtual Machine. use 'ifconfig eth0 up'..
  • Kwaggarookdagga
    Hi
    This an great pdf. Just 1 problem. I can ping my DSL box from my Vista laptop and visa versa. But when I add the cloud to connect my router to the DSL Vmware machine I only get Vmnet 1 and 8 not Vmnet2 that I have setup and therefore can't conect the 2. PLEASE HELP!!!!!!!!!
  • VMnet 1 and 8 are enabled by default.. You need to configure and enable other VMnets by edit -> Virtual Network Editor.. and make sure "connect a host virtual adapter to this network' is checked for all the VMnets.
  • Mig-angel
    Hey great job, Yogesh!!!

    I am wondering if this guide works for MS Windows XP machines as well. Am using VMware workstation 7 on Vista Home Premium PC. I created a team with 3 XPs. After followed all steps and customized network adapter, selecting specific virtual network without success, the GNS3 clouds cannot connect to my virtual machine, the NIO Ethernet show in blank without any option to select. Is this some thing I missed.

    Please advice, without cannot practice for my CCNA certification exam.


    Cheers,

    Mig
  • Yes.. It would work for any operating system... You have disabled the virtual Network adapters created by vmware.. Else it should work... The 'cloud' will display all the network adapters configured on the system.. You need to configure and enable other VMnets by edit -> Virtual Network Editor.. and make sure "connect a host virtual adapter to this network' is checked for all the VMnets.

    All the best for the CCNA exam.! :)
  • Mig
    Great, you are great Yogesh, might be very simple for you but you are doing the difference. Now I have another problem, I cannot get the GNS3 router ping the VMWare machine, but I do from it and also realized I am able to do from laptop as well.
    What`s wrong here?

    sorry to be so dumb... I am just started with these tools.

    Please advise,

    Thank you from Costa Rica,

    Miguel
  • Thanx for the compliment.. :) Once you've connected gns3 routers and virtual machines it should work fine.. You much verify the following things-
    1. Check if router's interface is up.
    2. Verify if both guest machine and router are on same subnet.

    If still the problem is unsolved.. Use wireshark to identify the problem. start wireshark by clicking on the connection interface (green coloured connection icon) in the topology. Also use wireshark on your guest XP machine..
  • Mig
    Once again you are making me understand how GNS3 works along with VMWare, and once again I need your help.
    I ran GNS3 as administrator and followed your recommendation, now I am able to ping from my virtual machine to the GNS3 router interface, however, cannot ping from the router to virtual machine. I tried to understand what is wrong using wireshark, but cannot determine what is missed here. What migth be causing this ?

    Cheers,

    Mig
  • Kwaggarookdagga
    I have figured it all out. First stall a 32bit Windows system Vmware and the other software just seem to work better that way.

    You need to set up the default gateway for the virtual machine in VMware to the router/switch you connect to and give the "PC" an ip address in the same subnet. that should work
    HTH
  • Sabel
    Hello Yogesh!
    Gone thru ur pdf. Its wonderful and i think i will use it.
    Can you guide me how to setup VMware 6 ,( i have a licensed version)?
    Thanks
  • @Sabel VMware 6 has multiple tabs in virtual Network Editor, But the concept and options are same as VMware 7... rest there is not much difference.. If you have problem, drop a mail - geekyogi [at] gmail.com
  • TAS
    Nice Writeup ! Keep up the good work
  • cool stuff dude thanks for the valuable info :)
  • @Vipin : Wireshark is supported by GNS3.. just right click on the interface connection.. and you can capture the traffic.. Its the best sniffing tool.. according to insecure.org...
  • Vipin
    you could also try unsniff network analyser
  • @harishpappu VMware Workstation is NOT a free software as GNS3..But you get 30 days Trial VMware workstation ..    
    N1, N2.. are just simple Linux Boxes connected to the router.. There is No client or server reference point..
  • @sashidar @Suri @magesh Thanx....
  • harishpappu
    Is VMware a 3rd party ??? and N1 & N2 are servers or clients??
  • yes.. yogesh has done a good work :)
  • Suri
    man man man you are tech guru for our group.I admire your hardwork and dedication in developing the pdf :) keep it up
    cool stuff :)
    recommended for everyone to read
  • The pdf is quite good..I never thought u could make such a good simulation guide.. :)
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