How to Install GNS3 in Kali Linux 2024

If you want to start using GNS3 2.2 on Kali Linux 2024, you’re in the right spot. It is a vital tool that lets you pretend to use Cisco Router IOS images. You can make and test complicated network setups, try out different configurations, and solve network problems in a safe place.

Whether you’re a network engineer, a student, or just curious about networking, it is a great tool to have. In this guide, we’ll show you how to install and set up GNS3 on Kali Linux 2024 so you can start exploring network simulation right away.

Credit: Kali Linux

Why Kali and GNS3?

You can make studying for Cisco CCNA exams easier by installing GNS3 software on your computer. Adding Routers to your setup lets you set up routing protocols so computers in different networks can talk to each other.

With this emulator software, you can make your network designs more accurate by using VMware and VirtualBox virtual machines. Remember, your computer needs to be fast if you’re working on big projects.

To make even better network designs install the GNS3 program on Kali Linux. It comes with lots of accessible systems and tools for analyzing networks.

Installing GNS3 on Kali PC

To put Graphical Network Simulator on Kali Linux 2024, you can either follow these steps or watch our video tutorial. The tutorial will show you how to install it and give clear instructions for setting it up. It’ll also tell you the IP address you need for the installation.

To make sure your Kali system has the latest list of packages, you need to do this in the terminal: type “sudo apt update” and hit enter. Remember to use “sudo” before the command to run it as an admin. This way, your system will have all the latest package info and be ready for updates or new installs.
```
sudo apt update
```

After you’ve updated the repository addresses, you can install the packages needed for it to work right. Just use the command below to do it.

wget http://ftp.us.debian.org/debian/pool/main/q/qemu/qemu_3.1+dfsg-8+deb10u8_amd64.deb

sudo dpkg -i qemu_3.1+dfsg-8+deb10u8_amd64.deb

sudo apt install -y python3-pip python3-pyqt5 python3-pyqt5.qtsvg python3-pyqt5.qtwebsockets qemu qemu-kvm qemu-utils libvirt-clients libvirt-daemon-system virtinst wireshark xtightvncviewer apt-transport-https ca-certificates curl gnupg2 software-properties-common

After you’ve installed all the stuff you need, you can get GNS3’s GUI and Server. Just run this command: ‘sudo pip3 install gns3-server gns3-gui’. It’ll start installing, and when it’s done, you’ll be able to use it.
```
sudo pip3 install gns3-server gns3-gui
```
To run Cisco’s Router IOS on GNS3, you need to have dynamips installed on your device. Just type “sudo apt install dynamips” in your terminal to install it. Then, you can emulate Cisco routers and practice networking in a virtual setup.
```
sudo apt install dynamips
```
To start using the graphical network simulator, first set up the local server. After that, add a new IOS by clicking “Edit” and then “Preferences”. This opens a box where you can enter details about the IOS image you want to add.
To see the Dynamips/IOS Routers settings, click the “New” button. A wizard will pop up. In the wizard, you can add the location of the IOS image and check the decompression. This lets you set up and change your routers however you want.
To set up the Router, give it a name and choose its platform. Also, make sure you don’t change the default virtual memory size. This keeps the Router working smoothly and reliably.
In the network adapter settings, you’ll see the C7200-IO-FE (FastEthernet) interface already there. If you want to add a Serial interface to the Router, you can do it right from this window.
It’s essential to find the Idle-PC value to make sure the IOS image on your computer runs smoothly and works well. This value helps cut down on CPU usage and makes sure the image works right.
To start a new project, first, let’s add some devices to the workspace. We’ll need a Router, a Switch, and some VPCS. You’ll find these devices in the device category. Once you’ve added them to the workspace, we can continue working on the project.
To set up your network, start by connecting the router to the Switch with a cable. After that’s done, connect the VPCSs to the Switch. If you run into a ubridge error, you can fix it by using these commands in the terminal.
```
sudo apt install libpcap-dev
cd ~/Downloads
git clone https://github.com/GNS3/ubridge.git
cd ubridge
make
sudo make install
```
If you fixed the uBridge problem, you might see a message that says, “No path to a VPCS executable has been set” when you’re trying to link VPCSs to your Switch. If this happens, you need to put VPCS on your Kali Linux computer. That way, you can connect the VPCSs and the Switch properly.
```
sudo apt install vpcs
```
If you see a message that says, (VPCS executable version must be >= 0.6.1 but not a 0.8) after you put in VPCS, it might mean the version you installed doesn’t work with your computer. To fix this, you might have to get an older version of VPCS that does work with your system.
```
cd ~/Downloads
git clone https://github.com/TolgaBagci/vpcs_0.8-1_amd64.deb.git
cd vpcs_0.8-1_amd64.deb
sudo dpkg -i vpcs_0.8-1_amd64.deb
```
Once you’ve fixed any problems that pop up while setting up GNS3 and made sure all devices are working, you can start making your network layout.

Conclusion

In short, this emulator software is a super helpful tool for making complex networks and practicing for Cisco exams. If you install it on Kali Linux, you can use lots of other free tools to make your networks even better.

Just follow the steps in this scenario, and you’ll have GNS3 up and running on your Kali Linux PC in no time. Then, you can start building your networks right away!

If you want to use Debian instead of Kali, we’ve got a complete guide to help you install GNS3 on Debian. This guide will show you all the steps, like getting the suitable packages and setting up the Dynamips emulator. Please take a look at our article for all the details you need.