How to Install GNS3 IOU on Linux / Ubuntu

To use Cisco L2 and L3 images on GNS3, you need to configure IOU.

How to Setup GNS3 IOU on Linux / Ubuntu

In order to be able to use Cisco IOU images on Linux systems, we will install GNS3 with IOU support. Before moving on to the installation, let’s briefly talk about what IOU is and what it does.

What is GNS3 IOU?

IOU (IOS on Unix) is a technology that is similar to Dynamips but uses less. IOU images mimic all the features of a particular Cisco IOS technology.

The IOU is also called the Cisco IOU. IOU images do not require hypervisors to emulate Cisco hardware, and IOU images are much more efficient than Dynamips. In GNS3, the use of IOU uses less system memory and CPU.

As a result, using Cisco IOU images on GNS3 allows you to create more specific network topologies.

How to Configure IOU-Supported GNS3 on Linux

First of all, visit Google and download the Cisco IOU L2/L3 images and the CiscoIOUkeygen.py file to your computer.

Then, follow the steps below in order to install GNS3 IOU.

Step 1

To install GNS3 on Ubuntu, first open Terminal and perform the following commands.

sudo add-apt-repository ppa:gns3/ppa
sudo apt-get update
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Step 2

After adding GNS3 to the Repository, execute sudo apt-get install gns3-gui to start the installation.

Step 3

Setup reports that it will use 811 MB of additional disk space to install gns3. Type Y (Yes) and press Enter.

Step 4

Press Enter using the No option to prevent non-superusers from running GNS3.

Step 5

Also, continue with No to prevent non-superusers from performing packet analysis using the Wireshark program.

Step 6

To start GNS3, type gns3 on the TTerminal and press Enter.

Step 7

You can check the version of the network simulator in Help / About.

How to Add Cisco IOU on Ubuntu

After installing GNS3, you need to enable IOU support. Follow the steps below to install Cisco IOU.

Step 1

To install an IOU, open Terminal and perform the following commands in sequence.

sudo dpkg --add-architecture i386
sudo apt-get update
sudo apt-get install gns3-iou
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Step 2

To license Cisco IOU images, execute the python3 CiscoIOUKeygen.py command and copy the generated code.

python3 CiscoIOUKeygen.py
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Step 3

Open the iourc.txt file and paste the copied code.

Step 4

Rerun GNS3.

Step 5

In the Setup Wizard window, select Run the topologies on my computer and click Next.

Step 6

In the local server configuration window, click Next.

Step 7

Once the local server connection is established, click Next.

Step 8

Close the New Appliance template window by clicking the Cancel button.

Step 9

Create a new project on GNS3.

Step 10

Click Edit / Preferences to license IOU images.

Step 11

In the Preferences window, click IOS on Unix, and then click Browse.

Step 12

Navigate to the location where you have located the iourc.txt file, select the file, and click the Open button.

Step 13

After you license the images, click IOU Devices.

Step 14

Click the New button to add a Cisco IOU image.

Step 15

Type a name for the IOU image to be added in this window and show the position of the image in the IOU image section. Then click Finish to add the Cisco IOU image.

Step 16

You can review the details you have added to the image below.

Step 17

Add the Router you have added to the workspace and then run it. Test the functionality of the Cisco IOS software using the show version command.

IOU Configuration ⇒ Video

You can watch the video below to install Cisco network simulator software with IOU support. Also, subscribe to our YouTube channel to support us!

Conclusion

In this article, we have examined step by step how to set up GNS3 with IOU support on Linux systems in order to create more specific network topologies. Thanks for following us!