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Install GNS3 on Windows 7

By Codrut Nistor

Posted in Cisco, How-to, Software, Virtualization-2, Windows-7

GNS3 unlike other simulators like Packet Tracer or Boson Netsim is in fact a router emulator that uses original IOS images which are used in  real Cisco routers. The application is used by the students who are preparing for Cisco CCNA global certification examination and need to practice for it. The reason why GNS3 is comparatively far better than router stimulators is that in simulators students get the output which is programmed by the developer and therefore the final result might not be accurate every time. However while using GNS3 as mentioned above original IOS images are used and therefore the output that is displayed on the screen is real-time. The only thing that students are not able to do while using GNS3 is that they are not able to plug in physical cables to the jacks of virtual router as they can do while using real routers. After downloading GNS3 (free application) from the Internet if as a Cisco student you want to install the application on the computer you need to follow the steps given below:

  1. Logon to the computer with the account that has administrative privileges.

  2. Double click on the installation file of the application and from the welcome page click on Next button.

  3. On next page click on I Agree button to accept the license agreement of the application and on Choose Start Menu Folder page leave everything as default and click on Next button.

  4. On Choose Components page make sure that all four components are selected (checked) and click on Next button.

  5. On Choose Install Location page click on Install button to initiate the installation process. Optionally you can click on Browse button to change the default installation location as desired.

  6. During the installation process you will be asked to install WinPcap as a requirement of the application. Follow on-screen instructions to do so.

  7. Once the installation is completed click on Finish button.