How to Add Layer 2 Switch in GNS3

Adding a Switch to GNS3 is a very simple process. After adding a Switch, you can study more specifically for the Cisco Switching exams.

How to Use Layer 2 Switch on GNS3

After installing GNS3 on your computer, network devices such as Cisco Switch or Router are not installed by default. So you have to configure these devices manually.

For example, if you want to install Layer 2 Switch on GNS3, you must first get the IOS image. Then, you must add it from the QEMU section of the program.

If you’re preparing for Cisco exams, you’ll need to add and use L2 Switches to gain experience in Switching.

When configuring an Layer 2 Switch, you may not be able to use all the features that physical Switches provide because some IOS images do not support all features.

For example, some of the actions you can configure after adding a vIOS Switch image; VLAN, VTP, STP configurations.

How to Add and Configure L2 Switch in GNS3

First, click the button below to download the image of Switch (vIOS-L2.vmdk).

Download vIOS-L2

   Step 1

After downloading the Switch IOS file, run the GNS3 program, and then click Edit.

   Step 2

From the Edit menu, click Preferences.

   Step 3

In the General Preferences window, click Qemu VMs under the QEMU tab.

   Step 4

In the Qemu VM Templates, click the New button.

   Step 5

In the Qemu VM name window, type a name for the Layer 2 Switch.

   Step 6

In the Qemu binary and memory window, if your operating system is 64 Bit, select the option in the image below.

   Step 7

Also, set the RAM amount of the Switch in this window and click Next.

   Step 8

Select New Image and click the Browse button.

   Step 9

In the window that opens, select the downloaded vIOS-L2.vmdk file and click the Open button.

   Step 10

Click Yes to copy the image file you want to add to the default location.

   Step 11

After determining the image position, click the Finish button.

   Step 12

In the Qemu VM Templates window, you can see that the Layer 2 Switch has installed successfully.

   Step 13

Right-click on the Layer 2 Switch from the Devices section.

   Step 14

Click Configure template.

   Step 15

In the Layer 2 Switch configuration window, select the Switches group from Category.

   Step 16

Click Browse to change the Layer 2 Switch symbol.

   Step 17

You can select a symbol as in the image below.

   Step 18

After changing the symbol of the switch, click the OK button to save your settings.

   Step 19

Drag and drop Layer 2 Switch into the workspace.

   Step 20

To add the Interface to the Switch, click on the Right-Click / Configure button.

   Step 21

From the Network tab, you can add interfaces to the Switch.

   Step 22

Double-click on the switch to open the CLI command prompt, and use the show vlan brief command to check if the device is working.

“show vlan” Command Output

vIOS-L2-01#show vlan

VLAN Name Status Ports
---- -------------------------------- --------- -------------------------------
1 default active Gi0/0, Gi0/1, Gi0/2
100 VLAN100 active
200 VLAN0200 active
300 VLAN0300 active
1002 fddi-default act/unsup
1003 trcrf-default act/unsup
1004 fddinet-default act/unsup
1005 trbrf-default act/unsup

VLAN Type SAID MTU Parent RingNo BridgeNo Stp BrdgMode Trans1 Trans2
---- ----- ---------- ----- ------ ------ -------- ---- -------- ------ ------
1 enet 100001 1500 - - - - - 0 0
100 enet 100100 1500 - - - - - 0 0
200 enet 100200 1500 - - - - - 0 0
300 enet 100300 1500 - - - - - 0 0
1002 fddi 101002 1500 - - - - - 0 0
1003 trcrf 101003 4472 1005 3276 - - srb 0 0
1004 fdnet 101004 1500 - - - ieee - 0 0
1005 trbrf 101005 4472 - - 15 ibm - 0 0
VLAN AREHops STEHops Backup CRF
---- ------- ------- ----------
1003 7 7 off

Primary Secondary Type Ports
------- --------- ----------------- ------------------------------------------

vIOS-L2-01#
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How to Configure Layer 2 Switch ⇒ Video

After setting up L2 Switch to the network simulator, you can watch the video below to configure some basic configurations and also subscribe to our YouTube channel to support us!

   Final Word

In this article, we added and configured the L2 IOS image on the Graphical Network Simulator-3 to prepare for the Cisco Switching exams. In the following articles, we will examine how to configure VLANs with L2 Switch. Thanks for following us!

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