Hybrid GNS3 + Real Switches... ? O_o

Thanks to a friend from the forum here. She was able to introduce me to what is called the Hybrid GNS3 + Real Switches. The concept looks pretty cool and currently looking at some YouTube videos to see how that works. Can someone share some light into the subject?

Note: I made a new thread because I feel this is a completely different subject. This concept also stopped me from purchasing my lab today.

Anyways, can someone tell me how strong of a PC you need to have and amount of memory you need to have in order to work with a full lab that will support CCNA & CCNP. Also How many Quad NICs do you need to have on your system.

Thanks! I know I said before I was not one to go after GNS3 but here is the short story. back in the days during the development stage of the program. I though it was really cool but was to early to make anything out of it for me. I was also trying to emulate many switches and routers on a system that was not capable of handling the load. Is why I turn away from GNS3 but knew it would be a great tool in the future.

My current system specs which I might make it stronger to make this work.

System:
CPU: AMD FX8150
Mobo: Sabertooth FX R1
Ram: 8GB DDR3 1600Mhz
HDD: 300GB 7200rpm
Monitors: 3x LCD+IPS

I was thinking of upgrading the CPU to an FX8350 and upping the ram to 16GB plus changing the main drive to a Solid State. Then Adding a couple of Quad NICs cards depending on the cost of them. What are your thoughts? Thanks In Advance!

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Comments

Moab

I run an Intel Core i7-3770K Ivy Bridge 3.5GHz with 32 GB of ram. The hard drive doesn’t make that much of a difference you can run a standard drive. I have 6 NIC’s Two of them are Intel EXPI9301CT Desktop Adapter Gigabit CT 10/ 100/ 1000Mbps PCI-Express, with those NIC I can create as many VLANS as I need. If you wanted to add more I would go with USB NIC’s I use a 2950 Cisco Switch for my breakout switch and have 2, 3550 Cisco switches that are Layer 3 I have a couple of 2621 Routers that I use for Frame Relay and to route my internet connection
The only thing that I want to add is a couple of 3750 switches

itangel

Moab wrote: »

I run an Intel Core i7-3770K Ivy Bridge 3.5GHz with 32 GB of ram. The hard drive doesn’t make that much of a difference you can run a standard drive. I have 6 NIC’s Two of them are Intel EXPI9301CT Desktop Adapter Gigabit CT 10/ 100/ 1000Mbps PCI-Express, with those NIC I can create as many VLANS as I need. If you wanted to add more I would go with USB NIC’s I use a 2950 Cisco Switch for my breakout switch and have 2, 3550 Cisco switches that are Layer 3 I have a couple of 2621 Routers that I use for Frame Relay and to route my internet connection
The only thing that I want to add is a couple of 3750 switches

I see, Nice setup. I notice in some of these youtube video people running quad nic 3x card. However; for my main motherboard that will be extremely expensive because most card will be no less than $149.95. I also have 1x 2950 12-port Switch and 3x 2950 48-port Switch with trucking multi-mode fiber cross them. Not sure if those will be good to start working with or I should maybe grab a couple of 3750 switches. You think going USB 3.0 and routing everything from there would be better than getting physical cards? Or how can I make it so that is not to expensive to work with?

can you use the PC USB3.0 to Ethernet to connect to the 2950 12-port and then use the that switch to route to the other 3 switches?

Hopefully I didn't confuse you with my question.

Moab

IF your just starting out, you have enough gear to pass the CCNA. Use your switches to study spanning tree and port security, and GNS3 for your routing protocols. you can route them together with just the gear you have now. Wait until you start on your CCNP before you buy more, IMO

Moab

As for USB to Ethernet adapters Its a much cheaper way to go if your have no available slots for additional NIC's I don't have an opinion on a specific brand I would do a search on GNS3 website and see what has worked well for other GNS3 users

itangel

Oh ok, Thanks guys for the info. I will give it a shot that way and see how it all turns out. By the way do I need at least 1x switch that handles layer 3?

Moab

This might help you to understand the VLAN approach
CCIE R&S lab – Direct VLAN mapping option - GNS3

DoubleNNs

You don't get into L3 switching until the CCNP.

itangel

Oh i c, Thanks for some odd reason I though CCNA cover L3 switching. Cool Thanks DoubleNNs and Thanks for the link Moab.

Can anyone here who has a Hybrid GNS3 + Real Switches on USB 3.0 to Ethernet List which version USB 3.0 device they are using? Thanks In the meantime I am checking in the GNS3 Forum.

advanex1

I ran GNS3 on a Core 2 Duo ASUS laptop. It ran just fine, as long as you set the idle for your routers/devices.. it will be just fine.

JeanM

DoubleNNs wrote: »

You don't get into L3 switching until the CCNP.

Exactly. Op , download and go over the ccna exam outline if you haven't already . you have enough switches ; just use gns3 or buy a few simple routers and you are set really.

itangel

JeanM wrote: »

Exactly. Op , download and go over the ccna exam outline if you haven't already . you have enough switches ; just use gns3 or buy a few simple routers and you are set really.

Yea I might just upgrade the system since I have one that is due in upgrading anyways. By upgrading one of the system performance I will upgrade 3 computers in my house. XD

I plan to move my main system to an FX8350, 16GB of DDR 1866 Ram not sure if I need to go that high I can maybe stick with the 8GB I currently use. A better cooler to drop the sound down from my CPU.

Question is 8GB DDR 1600Mhz good enough for the GNS3 with 3 routers emulated?

Also I been reading on the USB 3.0 to Ethernet which I can get 2 but I might also consider just getting a Quad Nic card instead. Is more expensive but I feel it will last for a long time and I can slowly continue adding those cards as my study and lab gets bigger for each cert.

Moab

YES! you have enough gear to do all your CCNA, depending on the IOS of the router in GNS3 your using. 8GB is plenty of ram to run 20 routers. Check this out.
Memory and CPU Usage - GNS3

Your friendly, Junior Member

DoubleNNs

I've run GNS3, with probably over 10 routers emulated, just on my laptop.
My laptop only has 4 GB of RAM and an older generation i5.

Honestly, you don't really have to worry about your computer's performance so much when using GNS3 for simple labs. Just make sure you set your Idle PC settings and you'll be fine.

Seeing as how you have twice the amount of RAM as me, I'm beyond positive you'll be fine.

itangel

Oh i see, thanks guys for the information. This is a pretty cool thing and looking forward to getting my PCI-E Quad Nic to get started.

itangel

Has anyone notice if USB 3.0 to Ethernet has been much of an issue routing with it compare to Physical network Cards for GNS3 to real switches?

elderkai

USB NICs work just fine for GNS3 for the most part and can be cheaper than the expansion cards. GNS3Vault has a nice writeup here: Connect real switches to GNS3 using a Cheap USB NICs | FAQ

itangel

elderkai wrote: »

USB NICs work just fine for GNS3 for the most part and can be cheaper than the expansion cards. GNS3Vault has a nice writeup here: Connect real switches to GNS3 using a Cheap USB NICs | FAQ

Wow! Thanks mate!

itangel

Question, does the USB setup better being USB 3.0 vs 2.0 or it doesn't matter?

itangel

I am looking at this USB 3.0 to Ethernet
Amazon.com: StarTech.com USB 3.0 to Gigabit Ethernet NIC Network Adapter - 10/100/1000 Network Adapter - USB to Ethernet LAN Adapter - USB to RJ45: Computers & Accessories

I am also looking at this USB 3.0 Hub
Amazon.com : ORICO P10-U3 Super Speed USB 3.0 10 Ports USB HUB with VL812 Controller Premium 12V / 3A Power Adapter & Detachable USB 3.0 Cable - Black : Network Hubs : Computers & Accessories

itangel

My Lab/Studio room. Finally got all the stuff I needed except an SSD I will be ordering here soon. But, I been configuring my GNS3 to see the switches. I see all Ethernet connections just need to verified which one is which. XD

My Studio 1.jpg

stryder144

Not to hijack this thread, but I have found the following for sale, dirt cheap:

1 WS-C2950G-24-EI
1 WS-C2950-12
4 WS-C2924-XL-EN
1 WS-C2916M-XL (rack mounts included)
1 WS-C2924M-XL_EN with one module (rack mounts included)
1 WS-C3524-XL-EN with 2 Gig ports
1 WS-C3548-XL-EN with 2 Gig ports

Would any of these be useful for connecting to GNS3? I am at the beginning stage of studying for the CCNA and would like to learn as much as possible. This thread has piqued my interest in what is possible using a hybrid software/hardware combo.

Thanks

JeanM

stryder144 wrote: »

Not to hijack this thread, but I have found the following for sale, dirt cheap:

1 WS-C2950G-24-EI
1 WS-C2950-12
4 WS-C2924-XL-EN
1 WS-C2916M-XL (rack mounts included)
1 WS-C2924M-XL_EN with one module (rack mounts included)
1 WS-C3524-XL-EN with 2 Gig ports
1 WS-C3548-XL-EN with 2 Gig ports

Would any of these be useful for connecting to GNS3? I am at the beginning stage of studying for the CCNA and would like to learn as much as possible. This thread has piqued my interest in what is possible using a hybrid software/hardware combo.

Thanks

Only the C2950 switches, rest is not worth buying imho.

darkplayer

stryder144 wrote: »

Not to hijack this thread, but I have found the following for sale, dirt cheap:

1 WS-C2950G-24-EI
1 WS-C2950-12
4 WS-C2924-XL-EN
1 WS-C2916M-XL (rack mounts included)
1 WS-C2924M-XL_EN with one module (rack mounts included)
1 WS-C3524-XL-EN with 2 Gig ports
1 WS-C3548-XL-EN with 2 Gig ports

Would any of these be useful for connecting to GNS3? I am at the beginning stage of studying for the CCNA and would like to learn as much as possible. This thread has piqued my interest in what is possible using a hybrid software/hardware combo.

Thanks

if you can get your hands on a couple of 3550's, you can continue to use them when you're working on your CCIE.

itangel wrote: »

My Lab/Studio room. Finally got all the stuff I needed except an SSD I will be ordering here soon. But, I been configuring my GNS3 to see the switches. I see all Ethernet connections just need to verified which one is which. XD

Were you able to verify the ethernet connections and traffic? After passing my final CCNP exam, I'm eager to start building a hybrid GNS3. Only need to build a server and hoping USB Nics are worth buying than 3 x quad port nics.