Cisco Network Simulator VS GNS3

Node Man

Hi Everybody,
What is your opinion on the Cisco Network Simulator? Is it worth while to buy the expansion labs? How about GNS3? Is GNS3 better than Cisco Network Simulator?



Thanks,

instant000

The only "Cisco Network Simulator" I can find is the one that Boson makes. It costs $350, according to a brief search I did. For that price, you could buy two or three real layer-3 switches, and connect them to GNS3. If you already have IOS access, then GNS3 is probably the better deal of the two.

Node Man

I got a free limited functionality version with my ICDN1 cert book. i think 6 or 8 labs in it.

DANMOH009

I'd have a play around with both after all GNS3 is open source, you will probably have to get your hands on an IOS though. I have just recently (in past 2 days) started playing around with GNS3 and top be honest im loving it, my only concern is at the moment i run the idle PC feature and my CPU is running at 12% for 3 routers. When i start creating larger networks im quite sure its gonna cause problems.

amee29

by cisco network simulator, are you talking about the CCNA 640-802 simulator? I am using that right now and it is very good. don't know what you mean by expansion labs. as it is, this software comes w plenty of labs. plenty. I used boson to get my Ccent. then needed to upgrade for the ccna exercises so i looked into other options. I am liking the cisco simulator much better. the trouble w GNS3 as I understand it is getting an IOS to use.

NewInBussines

I only used Packet Tracer for my CCNA certification, you can use GNS3 or a real lab for CCNP in my opinion

kanecain

amee29 wrote: »

by cisco network simulator, are you talking about the CCNA 640-802 simulator? I am using that right now and it is very good. don't know what you mean by expansion labs. as it is, this software comes w plenty of labs. plenty. I used boson to get my Ccent. then needed to upgrade for the ccna exercises so i looked into other options. I am liking the cisco simulator much better. the trouble w GNS3 as I understand it is getting an IOS to use.

I second this simulator. I find the labs very informative and contain relative information for actual learning. It seems like no one has ever heard of it.