Practice lab setup

kadshah

I've been away from the Cisco world for some time and I decided to get recertified. Anyway, I just downloaded GNS3 and I'm thinking of purchasing the IOSv viral images for lab practice. From searching around I hear there's more advantage in using viral images over Cisco IOS images for Dynamips. Just wondering are there any FREE solutions out there for lab practice? In the past I used different network simulators like "Netsim" (I don't remember the exact name) and Boston, I think that's what it was called but both were a little frustrating to work with. This was over 11 years ago so I'm sure the network simulators have gotten better. Anyway, I'm curious to know how others are setting up their virtual labs. BTW I'm always traveling so I can't use real routers & switches but I've used them in the past. 

thanks!