How to Import an Appliance in GNS3

In this article, we’re going to explore importing an L2 appliance to GNS3. Cisco IOU (IOS on Unix) is like a pretend version of Cisco IOS that runs on Unix-type operating systems. It lets network engineers try out complex network setups and test different situations without having real hardware.

When you add an appliance to GNS3, you can make more realistic and advanced network simulations, including make-believe versions of Cisco switches and routers. We’ll guide you through each step, explaining how to download, install, and set up GNS3 to use the L2 appliance.

How to Install an L2 Appliance on GNS3

GNS3 is a continuously developed network emulator program. And those who prepare for the Cisco exams are more likely to use the GNS3 program. The most important advantage of using this software is that it is free. Also, it can create and run lots of detailed network plans.

Many people had problems with using Cisco Switch on GNS3. With the Appliance structure, it is now easier to install and use the network device.

To utilize an IOU appliance in the GNS3 program, you must install the GNS3 VM Server. Otherwise, installing the IOU will not be possible.

As an extra, you can refer to our articles on importing and connecting to a GNS3 VM.

How to Add an IOU Appliance to GNS3

In order to use Layer 2 Switch, you need to download the necessary IOS image and import it with this application. You can find the IOU L2 Appliance installation file at the end of the article.

To import an appliance, follow the steps below.

Step 1

After you download the L2.gns3a file to your computer, double-click it.

Step 2

When you start the program, it’ll show you details about installing IOU L2. You can see that Layer 2 Switch is in the Multilayer Switch category.

To import GNS3 Appliance, click Next.

Step 3

Select GNS3 VM Server for installation and click Next.

Step 4

The files required for the IOU are as follows. Pressing the Refresh button allows you to update the files for download. Select the existing L2 15.2.d file (i86bi-linux-l2-adventerprisek9-15.2d.bin) and check if the GNS3 VM Server is running before clicking Next.

Step 5

GNS3 VM Server is currently running in the background.

Step 6

You must have the L2 image in the Required Files window. The distribution of these images is strictly prohibited, but you can search the Internet to download them.

After downloading the IOU image, click Next to load the selected image.

Step 7

Do you want to install version 15.2d? Continue by clicking Yes.

Step 8

The hardware specifications for the Appliance that will run on the GNS3 VM are as follows.

Step 9

When importing, the new device is reported to be in the Multilayer Switch category.

Step 10

After you have completed the IOU installation, click OK.

Step 11

Create a new project in GNS3 to check the added image.

Step 12

As you can see in the image below, the Layer 2 Switch with 15.2d image is available in the tools menu. Drag and drop the switch into the workspace.

Step 13

At the CLI prompt, execute the show version command and check the system image and installation location of the Layer 2 Switch. You can see that the installation of the L2 Appliance has been successful!

Step 14

You can check the interfaces of the switch by running the show ip interface brief command on the switch.

Step 15

Create a new VLAN to verify the functionality of the L2 appliance and run the do show vlan command in config mode to verify the VLAN configuration.

Show Commands

IOU1#show version
Cisco IOS Software, Linux Software (I86BI_LINUXL2-ADVIPSERVICESK9-M), Version 15.2(CML_NIGHTLY_20151103)FLO_DSGS7, EARLY DEPLOYMENT DEVELOPMENT BUILD, synced to FLO_DSGS7_POSTCOLLAPSE_TEAM_TRACK_DSGS_PI5
Technical Support: https://www.cisco.com/techsupport
Copyright (c) 1986-2015 by Cisco Systems, Inc.
Compiled Wed 04-Nov-15 02:31 by mmen

ROM: Bootstrap program is Linux

IOU1 uptime is 2 minutes
System returned to ROM by reload at 0
System image file is "unix:/opt/gns3/images/IOU/i86bi-linux-l2-adventerprisek9-15.2d.bin"
Last reload reason: Unknown reason

This product contains cryptographic features and is subject to United
States and local country laws governing import, export, transfer and
use. Delivery of Cisco cryptographic products does not imply
third-party authority to import, export, distribute or use encryption.
Importers, exporters, distributors and users are responsible for
compliance with U.S. and local country laws. By using this product you
agree to comply with applicable laws and regulations. If you are unable
to comply with U.S. and local laws, return this product immediately.

A summary of U.S. laws governing Cisco cryptographic products may be found at:
https://www.cisco.com/wwl/export/crypto/tool/stqrg.html

If you require further assistance please contact us by sending email to
export@cisco.com.

Linux Unix (Intel-x86) processor with 158154K bytes of memory.
Processor board ID 2048001
16 Ethernet interfaces
1 Virtual Ethernet interface
16K bytes of NVRAM.

Configuration register is 0x0

IOU1#
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IOU1#show vlan

VLAN Name Status Ports
---- -------------------------------- --------- -------------------------------
1 default active Et0/0, Et0/1, Et0/2, Et0/3
Et1/0, Et1/1, Et1/2, Et1/3
Et2/0, Et2/1, Et2/2, Et2/3
Et3/0, Et3/1, Et3/2, Et3/3
10 IT active
1002 fddi-default act/unsup
1003 token-ring-default act/unsup
1004 fddinet-default act/unsup
1005 trnet-default act/unsup

VLAN Type SAID MTU Parent RingNo BridgeNo Stp BrdgMode Trans1 Trans2
---- ----- ---------- ----- ------ ------ -------- ---- -------- ------ ------
1 enet 100001 1500 - - - - - 0 0
10 enet 100010 1500 - - - - - 0 0
1002 fddi 101002 1500 - - - - - 0 0
1003 tr 101003 1500 - - - - - 0 0
1004 fdnet 101004 1500 - - - ieee - 0 0
1005 trnet 101005 1500 - - - ibm - 0 0

Remote SPAN VLANs
------------------------------------------------------------------------------

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

IOU1#
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IOU1#show running-config
Building configuration...

Current configuration : 1361 bytes
!
! Last configuration change at 07:43:44 UTC Mon Sep 18 2017
!
version 15.2
service timestamps debug datetime msec
service timestamps log datetime msec
no service password-encryption
service compress-config
!
hostname IOU1
!
boot-start-marker
boot-end-marker
!
!
logging discriminator EXCESS severity drops 6 msg-body drops EXCESSCOLL
logging buffered 50000
logging console discriminator EXCESS
!
no aaa new-model
!
!
no ip icmp rate-limit unreachable
!
!
!
no ip domain-lookup
ip cef
no ipv6 cef
!
!
!
spanning-tree mode rapid-pvst
spanning-tree extend system-id
!
vlan internal allocation policy ascending
!
ip tcp synwait-time 5
!
!
!
interface Ethernet0/0
!
interface Ethernet0/1
!
interface Ethernet0/2
!
interface Ethernet0/3
!
interface Ethernet1/0
!
interface Ethernet1/1
!
interface Ethernet1/2
!
interface Ethernet1/3
!
interface Ethernet2/0
!
interface Ethernet2/1
!
interface Ethernet2/2
!
interface Ethernet2/3
!
interface Ethernet3/0
!
interface Ethernet3/1
!
interface Ethernet3/2
!
interface Ethernet3/3
!
interface Vlan1
no ip address
shutdown
!
ip forward-protocol nd
!
!
no ip http server
no ip http secure-server
!
!
!
control-plane
!
!
line con 0
exec-timeout 0 0
privilege level 15
logging synchronous
line aux 0
exec-timeout 0 0
privilege level 15
logging synchronous
line vty 0 4
login
!
!
end

IOU1#
Copy

Video

Frequently Asked Questions About Appliance (FAQ)

Conclusion

In this article, we have added a new Appliance to the GNS3 VM Server. If you want to add an L3 Switch, you can take a look at Adding Layer 3 Switch in GNS3. The use of a Server is crucial to performance. We also recommend that you install it on an external disk. In addition, we strongly recommend using an external SSD disk. Thanks for following us!

IOU L2 15.2d Download

You can download the L2 Appliance file using the button below.