This Guide will assist you in setting up GNS3 V2 and above to work with EXOS-VM in Windows. If you have any questions about this guide please open a Issue on GitHub or on The HUB.
If you are setting this up in macOS, see the macOS GNS3 EXOS VM Guide
Note: EXOS-VMs can get stuck in (pending AAA) for 1-2 minutes. Just be patient it will finish, and allow you to login.
- Download GNS3 Template File for EXOS VM. -- You will need this in Step 8
- https://github.com/extremenetworks/Virtual_EXOS/blob/master/exosvm.gns3a?raw=true "right-click save link as"
- Download and install VMware Player.
- Download GNS3.VM.VMware.Workstation.X.X.X.zip from GitHub -- This version must match the version of GNS3 program on your local machine
- Import the GNS3-VM.ova into Vmware player. Don't start it yet.
- Edit the VM to make sure you give it as much memory and CPUs as you can. This will help improve your experience when using GNS3 and EXOS-VM. I recommend giving the VM all CPUs and half of your RAM.
- Boot up VM and note the IP it gets. Keep the VM up
Note: Some PCs require virtualization to be enabled in the BIOS. Make sure you have this enabled or you will have issues on Step 7, but VMware will tell you.
- Download GNS3-X.X.X-all-in-one.exe and install GNS3 program for your local machine. -- This version must match the version of GNS3-VM
- Make sure GNS3-VM is booted
- Open GNS3
- A Setup Wizard should show up when you open GNS3. Select "Run appliances on a remote server" and click next.
- Enter the GNS3 VMs IP in the host part of the setup Wizard. Click next, Click finish
- The connection should be successful. Click Next
- If the "Main server" is green move to step 8, or click on "Import an appliance" and open the exosvm.gns3a file downloaded in Step 1.
- Go to File -> Import appliance -> Open the exosvm.gns3a file downloaded in Step 1.
- Click next -> Select "Run the appliance on the GNS3-VM" -> Click next.
- You should see two versions of EXOS. Expand the version you want and click on the file. -> click download.
- Once downloaded Click on import, and select the file you just downloaded. -> Click Next -> Click Yes -> Click Next -> Click Finish -> Click OK.
- Now you will see a router that is called "EXOS VM XX.X.X.X" in your inventory.
- Drag the VM to your project. and select yes to upload your image to your VM.
- Move more switches over connect them together, boot them up, and configure them. Be careful for loops!