The process to connect Cisco IOU to GNS3-1.1 is a little bit hassle though, but I’m gonna give you simple explanation with step by step procedures :
Tools Required
- GNS3-1.1: Download from here
- Oracle VirtualBox: Download from here
- GNS3 IOU VM.ova: Is the Virtual Unix platform to run IOU image. It is a virtual box OVA file: Download from here
- IOU image: IOU image is intended to use only for Cisco employees, distribution of IOU is strictly prohibited. Please don’t ask me! Google is your friend always.
- iourc.txt file: Is the license of Cisco IOU image. I have no privilege to provide it publicly, but I found adiscussion related to it. It may help you.
Step 1: GNS3 IOU VM.ova Setup
Double click ‘GNS3 IOU VM.ova’ , it will open up in VirtualBox (if you have installed VMware please right click on the GNS3 IOU VM.ova file and change the ‘open with’ to Oracle VM VirtualBox).
Click Import button, it will be imported to VirtualBox VM list.
Go to Settings → Network → Adapter 1
Make sure it is attached to Host-only Adapter with name VirtualBox Host-Only Ethernet Adapter. Then clickOK.
Start the GNS3 IOU VM, then login with following credentials.
User name: root
Password: cisco
Step 2: Upload IOU Image to Unix (GNS3 IOU VM)
Check the IP address of the GNS3 IOU VM by ifconfig command and note down the IP (my case 192.168.56.102).
Now come to the host machine and open any browser (I’m a Chrome fan). Enter the following link in the address bar http://192.168.56.102:8000/upload.
Choose your IOU image and click Upload button.
[Note: the location of the file being copied (/home/gns3/GNS3/images/XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX)]
Now our IOU device is ready to run….!
[Troubleshoot: Please allow 192.168.56.XX network in the firewall, Disable proxy if you are using. In local PC (host machine) be sure that your VirtualBox Host-Only Ethernet Adapter is set to accept DHCP]
Step 3: GNS3 Server Configuration
By default GNS3 host binding is 127.0.0.0:8000 (local host loopback) address, we have to change the server to192.168.56.XX:8000.
Go to Edit → Preferences → GNS3 Server → Local Server
Drop down the Host Binding section and choose 192.168.56.XX, local VirtualBox Host-Only Adapter IP (mine 192.168.56.101) and click Apply.
Again Edit → Preferences → GNS3 Server → Remote Server
Add a host by entering UNIX GNS3 IOU VM IP address that we noted in Step 2 (mine 192.168.56.101) and 8000 as port.
Step 4: Connect Cisco IOU to GNS3-1.1
Go to Edit → Preferences → IOS on UNIX → General Settings
The set the path of iourc.txt (iourc.txt can be stored on any directory of your local PC, eg: Desktop), browse and select it.
Now go to IOU Devices, click New button and select server type as Remote. Your remote server will be listed there → Next
You will receive a message “You have chosen to use a remote server, please provide the path to IOU image located on the server!”, just click OK.
Now type a Name for the IOU image and set IOU image path that you noted already in Step 2.
Type should be L2 for switch IOU.
Click Finish button. That’s that!
You have success fully configured Layer 2 Switch in GNS3-1.1…! Go to GNS3 GUI and drag the switch in to work space.
Now explore your new GNS3 Switch!
Hope I explained each steps to get a working IOU in GNS3-1.1