mikesx4911
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does anyone know of any software that will let me build networks and troubleshoot them and etc. i heard rumors of these but i have never actually seen any.
networking lab simulator???
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patonb
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mikesx4911
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yea i googled "network simulator, network software" just different terms i keep finding network monitor tools lol.
Actually I googled some more and only found two or three all made by Cisco and cost a BUTT load, so now let me rephrase my question lol. Does anyone know of any good FREE simulators lol. Or even if I have to buy one does anyone have a suggestion on which on to get?
patonb
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I figured you wanted a more affordable option, but if this is for your future/current education, masybe you would drop some coin.
GNS3 is free and you can put your cisco IOS images into to do some "real" practice...
take a look GNS3 | Graphical Network Simulator
Or you can build your own network lab with virtual machines.
Regards!
take a look GNS3 | Graphical Network Simulator
Or you can build your own network lab with virtual machines.
Regards!
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mikesx4911
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yea if i have to i will spend some coins i look at is a investment. im going to give thid free one a try first and see how it is.
new2IT
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I have only used Packet Tracer, (free for Cisco Academy students), but I hear it's the best. In my opinion, anything less would be a waste of time to use. Even Packet Tracer is a little buggy from time to time and just doesn't compare to actually using equipment for testing.
I would try Packet Tracer, you could probably find a free download if you do enough searches.
I would try Packet Tracer, you could probably find a free download if you do enough searches.
GNS3 is your best bet, it can be a little tricky though.
Couple of things about though.
1 it dosnt come with every cisco device, i haven't found one that dose or even close.
2 you must provide ios images, so if you dont have any access to some you will be SOL.
another way i have heard of setting up test networks but havent tried yet is using VMware. I know you can use cisco ios images as virtual switch's but like i said i have tried it yet.
I had a hard time with this, finding a good way to test networks and found myself wasting alot of time just tring to get a virtual test network up. In the end it wasnt worth the effort i put into it. I hope you have better luck then i did.
good luck
Couple of things about though.
1 it dosnt come with every cisco device, i haven't found one that dose or even close.
2 you must provide ios images, so if you dont have any access to some you will be SOL.
another way i have heard of setting up test networks but havent tried yet is using VMware. I know you can use cisco ios images as virtual switch's but like i said i have tried it yet.
I had a hard time with this, finding a good way to test networks and found myself wasting alot of time just tring to get a virtual test network up. In the end it wasnt worth the effort i put into it. I hope you have better luck then i did.
good luck
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