Read the new posts here on GNS3 VM as well as how to use VIRL images on GNS3! GNS3 also still feels a little more intuitive to me than VIRL with the controls of the interface. With VIRL, that same number brings my machine to a crawl.įor me if I am still banging out configs quickly and easily, I will launch GNS3 over VIRL just from a time and efficiency standpoint. On my healthy precision workstation, it barely taxes it to have 10 devices running or more. The thing I love about GNS3 is the simplicity it brings to both setting it up as well as the efficiency with which it runs. GNS3 is still a great tool in learning and preparing for exams.

VIRL needs its own dedicated hardware to really run correctly. If you are looking for satisfactory results, you simply will not get that if you put VIRL on a weak machine or a multipurpose machine that is used for other things.

From the start, getting it installed is an undertaking as well as troubleshooting it is a beast if you have something go wrong with your install or something stops working like it should. VIRL setup and maintenance is not for the lighthearted. I have it loaded in VMware’s Workstation product and have it running on a healthy Dell Precision workstation with 32 gigs of RAM and a Core i7 yet it really thrashes this machine especially if spinning up several nodes to work with. VIRL is a beast when it comes to resources and complexity. Including some that you may have a hard time getting your hands on otherwise such as the high end Nexus line products. Also, it touts some of the newest IOS versions, routers, and appliances that you can get your hands on. VIRL certainly has a tremendous amount of features and capabilities. There is no doubt about it, Cisco is putting a lot of weight behind the VIRL product as being its preferred testing and simulation software moving forward. The first simulator we want to take a look at is Cisco’s VIRL. Let’s take a look at VIRL vs GNS3 vs Packet Tracer which one? VIRL vs GNS3 vs Packet Tracer which one Which one of these however is best to use? Well, unfortunately, I don’t think there is a clear cut answer to that question as I think each one has certain strengths they bring to the table. There are are a variety of simulators available out in the wild for use, however, the three main ones that I like to use for different reasons are VIRL, GNS3, and Packet Tracer.

Network simulators are a great resources for mocking up certain scenarios, learning, certifications, and plain old “what will happen if I do this in my network” testing.

Cisco packet tracer vs gns3