Spec me a Cisco Virtual Environment so I can learn

DJMK4

DJMK4

DJMK4

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Hi all,

I am planning on aiming for CCNA but just want to find some virtual environment to play around in where I can build networks, I have access to a K9 Cisco IOS, any recommendations?
 
GNS3 for the most realistic experience, its an emulator rather than a simulator. Packet Tracer is good in terms of ease of use, but command wise can be limited.
 
moss said:
GNS3 for the most realistic experience, its an emulator rather than a simulator. Packet Tracer is good in terms of ease of use, but command wise can be limited.
Click to expand...

Packet tracer is primarily designed for CCNA. So if that's what you're doing then it'll be best as it has lab packs etc specifically designed to help you pass CCNA.
For real world simulations and more advanced stuff (CCNP CCSP etc) then another vote for GNS3.
Rather than respond to inputs with pre-defined responses, GNS3 runs a hypervisor (like VMWare, virtualbox etc) called dynamips simulating router hardware as apposed to PC or server hardware. Which you install a real life working Cisco IOS image on, and you access the command line via putty like you would a real piece of tin. Which makes it about the most realistic simulator you can get. The only thing I've found better is my actual lab :) which cost about £400 in total courtesy of ebay <3. GNS however is opensource and free :)

The downside is getting your mitts on IOS images. Which will involve pilfering from work or morally dubious P2P/torrent activities :P
 
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GNS3 also forces you to have to use switch modules placed in routers to simulate switching subjects of CCNA as it can't emulate actual switches.

For me, GNS3 was a hassle to step up compared to packet tracer which just worked, and my cisco accademy course used it throughout and had no issue with the entire CCNA material working on it.
 
Have you tried a recent version of GNS3?
I've used it on numerous machines recently, loaded a 3640 series IOS and not had any problems with configuration. Admittedly the earlier versions weren't quite so stable.
I've read up on the newer version of PT and they do seem much better than the version I used, don't you need to be enrolled on a Cisco academy course to be entitled to actually use PT legally?
 
moss said:
Have you tried a recent version of GNS3?
I've used it on numerous machines recently, loaded a 3640 series IOS and not had any problems with configuration. Admittedly the earlier versions weren't quite so stable.
I've read up on the newer version of PT and they do seem much better than the version I used, don't you need to be enrolled on a Cisco academy course to be entitled to actually use PT legally?
Click to expand...

Well the last time I tried to use GNS3 (a few months ago) it ran, and seems to be correctly configured but also had an error when trying to actully start a device, even tried different IOS files, always got an error (can't remember specificaly what it was but it just couldn't start the emulation).

As for getting PT you have to be registered to the cisco academy site to download it but I'm not sure if you actully have to be enrolled on it. The IOS images for GNS3 would be harder to come by legally.

Anyway, at CCNA level you can chose either solution, they both provide you with what you need, if you go on to CCNP then PT will lack some of the required features (although it is improving, such as adding BGP which is CCNP material).
 
You don't need to be enrolled. You just need an account. I can get at it with my Alumni login, as well as the other course materials. I think you can also get it on the CD that comes with the office Cisco Press books. (or at least it did with mine, which are 3.1 syllabus from 7 years ago. The packet tracer version being early and really quite rubbish.) I've no idea about 4.0 syllabus books.
BTW even on 4.0 I'd recommend the 3.1 books because they're much better than the 4.0 ones, albeit the course order is reversed for semester 1, startion from physical layer up. Which makes more sense imo

I've also put switch IOS images on GNS3, but you do need to use the multilayer switch (etherswitch router i think it calls it) ones as there's no basic 2900 series type emulation. But all the commands etc are identical for the layer 2 tasks
 
But cant you only get an Alumni login if you have been previously enrolled by a registered Cisco academy? So im sure using without ever being a registered student is against the licencing.
Getting IOS images legally is virtually impossible as far as I know, im sure the licencing states the IOS should only be used with the original/registered hardware. Its been said Cisco aren't worried about people using IOS images in GNS3, you can talk about configuring GNS3/IOS on the official Cisco forums etc.

edit: licencing states:
Permitted End Users are students, faculty or alumni of Cisco Networking Academy or such other individuals or entities approved in writing by Cisco. Instructors shall not make any copies or duplicates of the Software except as reasonably necessary to exercise the rights granted hereunder. Except to the extent set forth herein, no distribution, marketing or other transfer of the Software is permitted.

Anyway, im going off topic slightly here and im sure the OP isn't too concerned about PT licencing.
 
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Only problem I have is the K9 IOS I have is for a 1700 series, will I be able to use this with packet tracer?

c1700-k9o3sy7-mz.124-25b
 
Skidilliplop said:
If you took that IOS and loaded it into a virtual 1700 series in GNS3 it'd work. Packet Tracer doesn't support crypto features last time i used it.
Click to expand...
PT accepts IOS images now? If so its came much MUCH further on since I last used it.
 
moss said:
PT accepts IOS images now? If so its came much MUCH further on since I last used it.
Click to expand...

I never said that, I said if he loaded into GNS 3.

Last packet tracer i used didn't do IOS images and the simulated IOS didn't support crypto commands. (which i assume is why he's interested in the K9 IOS)
 
Wow, why havnt I used this before? it's awsome :)

I am going to base it on my home network, but add lots of stuff :)
 
Do you think this is a good basic set-up to get me going for the time being?

I am starting to go through the CCNA CBT Nugget modules

ciscopacket.jpg
 
Depends on what you want to achieve really. There is no set lab to use. When configuring OSPF, you would want more than 2 routers to get the best results (with regards to neighbor relationships).
 
OSPF will come a bit later I think, I can always expand, this is more of a basic set-up for now to get the initial stuff done, get some basic config done, and some basic routing.

Want to if possible start off with some of the stuff thats in the beginning modules of the CBT Nugget video's.
 
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