GNS3 (dynamips) Question

in CCNP
I just installed GNS3 and when I try to build a topology, I get the message, "Please register at least one IOS image". Can't find help on the site.
Is it also possible to connect other devices to GNS3 like real switches?
Thanks,
es
Is it also possible to connect other devices to GNS3 like real switches?
Thanks,
es

Comments
without creating a topology
click edit
select ios images and hypervisor
locate the ios you want to run (you must have ios images on your computer)
select platform
set the model type
set the ram amount
then save it
you can then drag the created device to the desktop and launch it.
You will then need to set the idlepc value after the device fully loads
Quest for 11K pages read in 2011
Page Count total to date - 1283
http://tcpmag.com/qanda/article.asp?EditorialsID=403
You need a SMARTnet service contract on a Cisco device that hasn't already been end-of-lifed to be able to download IOS from the website. You're supposed to relicense IOS if you buy a second hand device as well. You get whatever is on a brand new device for "free" but you don't get the right to update that without a service contract.
If you do get full access to CCO then you can actually download any version of IOS you like along with any particular feature set. There is a click through however that you must agree to which says Cisco may charge you for any downloads you're not supposed to have.
es
Thanks Tiersten for the information on relicensing..I didn't know that.