In today’s world, networking is super important for businesses and groups to work well. Students who want to get good at networking, especially for Cisco exams, often use Packet Tracer software.
But if you want to design a really pro-level network, it’s better to use GNS3 software. This guide will show you how to set up and use GNS3 2.2 on macOS 12 Monterey on an Apple Mac. Let’s begin!
Credit: macOS
Upgrade Your Cisco Exam Prep: Why GNS3 is the Better Network Tool for IT Students
If you’re studying for Cisco exams, you know about Packet Tracer. It’s a tool for making virtual networks and doing networking stuff. But if you want to make a really top-notch network for your project or exam, you should use GNS3 software on your Mac.
GNS3 is a tool that lets you connect real and virtual devices to make a network. You can create projects that work like real Cisco Routers and Switches. It’s made to give you a more realistic setup for testing networks.
Plus, it has more advanced stuff than Packet Tracer. It can work with other virtual machines, connect to the cloud, and even use automation tools for networking. This makes it great for IT folks and students who want to really learn about creating and running networks.ş
So, if you want to make a top-quality network for your Cisco project or exam, go for it. It’ll give you the best practice and help you understand networking better for real-life situations.
Installing GNS3 on the Mac PC
You can follow this video tutorial or the steps below to install the GNS3 simulator program in the latest macOS version of your Mac PC.
- To get the software for simulating networks, go to their official website. Click the link below to visit. If you don’t have an account yet, you’ll need to make one. Once you’re signed in, hit the ‘Free Download’ button to start.
- On the download page, make sure to pick the right one for your Mac. They have three versions for Windows, Mac, and Linux, so choose the Mac one.
- After you’ve got the GNS3.dmg file on your computer, double-click it to start installing. Follow the stages in the installation wizard to finish.
- Once you’ve opened the DMG file, drag the program to the Applications folder. Click on it, hold the mouse button, drag it to Applications, and let go. That’s it! Now it’s in your Applications folder.
- Once the copying is done, go to your “Applications” folder, find the emulator software, and then double-click it to open.
- To use it, start by opening the Setup Wizard window. Choose “Run appliances on my local computer” to make it work smoothly on your system.
- To finish setting up, you’ll need to tweak the Local Server settings. This helps it fit your needs and talk to other devices on your network without any problems.
- To use a Cisco Router IOS image to the emulator, go to Preferences. Add the image to your list of devices there, and you’re ready to use it in your network setups.
- To add a new IOS Router in Dynamips, click “New” on the Dynamips window. This opens a window where you specify where the IOS image file is on your computer. This lets Dynamips act like the Router and do network stuff.
- After you’ve added the Router IOS image, click the Idle-PC Finder button in the next window. This helps find the best settings for your computer’s processor so everything runs smoothly.
- Our video tutorial is a great way to learn how to add and set up Routers and VPCS with Cisco IOS. You can follow along step-by-step and get a better idea of how it all works.
Conclusion
To sum up, GNS3 is a fantastic tool for both IT students and pros who want to make top-notch networks. It’s got more cool stuff than Packet Tracer, like working with other virtual machines, linking to the cloud, and using automation tools for networking.
Plus, it gives you a more realistic setup for testing networks, which is perfect if you want to learn about making and running networks for real. If you’re getting ready for Cisco exams, using it can really boost your prep and level up your networking skills.
Just follow the actions in this guide, and you’ll be able to set up and use GNS3 on your Mac in no time. Then, you can start making and testing your networks like a pro.
If you want to install GNS3 on Ubuntu instead of macOS, we’ve got an easy guide for you to follow. Even though the steps might be a bit different, you’ll still get the same advantages for making top-notch networks. And once you learn how to use it on one system, moving to another should be super easy.