GNS3, a well-liked network simulation software, has a fantastic feature called “Cloud.” This feature gives your virtual infrastructure flexibility and scalability. With it, you can connect virtual machines made on VMware Workstation or VirtualBox to your GNS3 network. This creates a complete platform for simulating complicated LAN projects.
You can make virtual and real devices and set them up to work together in a pretend LAN. The Cloud feature is a vital tool that lets engineers and IT pros try out, check, and fix complicated situations quickly. With this feature, you can build, try, and put into action your pretend LAN, making sure it runs smoothly in real life.
Credit: GNS3
How to Use Cloud on GNS3
If you want to link a Windows 10 PC you made on VMware to GNS3, follow these steps. First, create a new VMnet in Virtual Network Editor and set the adapter as Host-Only. This keeps the Windows 10 virtual computer separate from the actual LAN and only lets it talk to the host computer.
After making VMnet2, which is best for the Windows 10 virtual computer, pick it from the Ethernet Interfaces part in the Cloud setup in GNS3. This lets you assign an external gateway to only one machine, which makes using machines in complex structures easier.
Once you’ve chosen VMnet2, you need to set up its TCP/IP settings in your computer’s LAN connections. This is crucial to make sure the VM can talk to the host computer. To do this, go to Control Panel, then pick Network and Sharing Center, and click on Change adapter settings. Find the VMnet2 adapter there and set up its TCP/IP settings.
If you follow these stages, you can add an external gateway to the Graphical Network Simulator-3 software and link it to this VM. Check our easy video tutorial for a step-by-step manual on how to do it.
The Steps to Add a Cloud Device:
The following are the detailed steps you need to follow to configure GNS3 and a Cloud node:
- If you still need to install GNS3, you can watch this video to learn how.
- After you’ve installed GNS3, open the program and go to the File menu. From there, choose the Preferences option.
- In the Preferences area, click on Cloud nodes.
- Next, you need to create a new template for this. To do this, click on the New Cloud Node Template button and type a name for it. Then, click Finish.
- After creating a template, you must configure it. Click on the Edit section, which will open the Edit Cloud window.
- In the Edit window, go to the Ethernet Interfaces tab and click Add.
- Choose the VMnet adapter from the list of Ethernet adapters. This adapter lets your virtual machines talk to it.
- Next, click on the Misc tab and select the Computer option to change the symbol to a computer icon.
- Once you have configured the node, you can add it to your workspace. To do this, click on the Devices tab and drag the template to the workspace.
- To check if the external gateway is connected to your virtual machine, first, add a Cisco Router to the workspace and link it to the node. Then, set up the Router’s interface and start your virtual machine. Now, ping the Router to see if the connection works.
Conclusion
To sum up, the Cloud feature in GNS3 gives you lots of flexibility and power for trying out challenging LAN setups. It lets IT pros and engineers easily make, test, and fix complicated LAN problems.
By following the steps we’ve talked about, you can add a Cloud PC and connect it to your VMs quickly. With this feature, you can set up, try out, and use your virtual network, making sure it works well in real life. Overall, it is an excellent tool for simulating and testing LANs, and this feature makes it even better.