VMware Workstation and GNS3 are two platforms which are very handy to test and evaluate solutions before live implementation. By default each of those platforms is separate, however both have components which allow integration. What that means is that it is possible to have virtual machines hosted on VMware Workstation to communicate with Cisco equipment which is running oin GNS3.

By default VMware Workstation has 10 virtual networks which are named VMnet0, VMnet1, … , VMnet9. Each of those networks can be used as:

  • Bridged – virtual network connected seamless way to physical adapter. Virtual machines connected to bridged network will appear in same network as physical adapter connected to computer.
  • NAT – VMware will translate virtual network and computers connected to that network and allow communication acting as gateway
  • Host-only – network available only for virtual machines connected to it. private network for virtual machines.

Configuration of virtual networks is flexible and can be adjusted easily. Each of virtual networks can be also presented on host computer as network adapter.

In GNS3 environment we have Cloud Node Type which can be configured to communicate with any network adapter installed on the computer on which GNS3 is running

So, if we connect those two facts together:

  • virtual network on VMware Workstation can be presented as network adapter on host computer
  • Cloud Node Type on GNS3 can connect to any network adapter installed on host computer

it is possible to integrate both environments together to expand our testing LAB.


VMware Workstation 8 Configuration

Let’s start from Vmware workstation preparation. For demonstration purposes I will use VMware wosktation 8. So, first step is to go to Edit menu and then Virtual network Editor. You should see screen similar to the one below:

Click on VMnet1 and indicate following options in Vmnet Information section below list of the virtual networks:

  • Host-only (connect VMs internally in a private network) – limit traffic only to computer on which we have VMware and GNS3 installed
  • Connect a host virtual adapter to this network – that will create network adapter on host computer
  • Optional is Use local DHCP service to distribute IP addresses to VMs. I would recommend to enable DHCP as that way VMware will handle dynamic address assignment to devices/systems which will require that

Once all parameters are set click OK to confirm settings for VMnet1.

NOTE

For demonstration purposes I did use VMnet1, so I will refer to VMnet1 in this article. If you want to configure different VMnet, that’s fine. Just keep in mind that you have to refer to your VMnet in all places where VMnet1 is mentioned.

Once VMnet1 configuration is completed new network adapter should appear in Network Connections in Windows. VMware will automatically name that network connection VMware Network Adapter VMnet1.

Next step is to assign VMnet1 virtual network to Network Adapter in test machine. As test machine, to demonstrate how communication between VMware workstation and CNG3 will work, I will use Debian 6. So, right-click on machine which you want to communicate with GNS3 environment and then click Settings from context menu.

Then on the list of components highlight Network Adapter and in Network connection section click Custom and from drop-down list pickup VMnet1 (Host-only).

After that start virtual machine. In my case, once virtual machine was up and running I just logged in as root to check IP address and it has been assigned by VMware DHCP.

Now, once VMware Workstation part of configuration is ready we can move on and try to configure GNS3 to talk to VMnet1 and Debian 6 connected to VMnet1 virtual network.


GNS3 configuration

First thing is to start GNS3 🙂 and create new project. I named project VMware Demo. Then click OK and GNS3 will create new project with blank topology.

Now just drag and drop Router object to topology area (assumption is that GNS3 is properly configured with IOS images, so you can add routers to topology and run them). Once router is there drag and drop Cloud object as well and then right-click on Cloud object and chose Configuration from context menu.

In Node configuration window for cloud click on C1 node on the list. Then on NIO Ethernet tab click on drop-down list with all adapters and locate VMnet1 adapter and then highlight it.

Once VMnet1 is highlighted in drop-down list click Add button to add this adapter to active adapters for Cloud node and then click OK.

After that it’s easy. Click Add link button on toolbar and choose FastEthernet a type of connection we want to make. Then click on Cloud to see list of interfaces you can use for FastEthernet connectivity. There should be only one interface which represents out VMnet1 network. Click on that interface and them move mouse over R1 router and click on it. From list of interfaces on the router click the one you want to connect to Cloud (in my example I’m using FastEthernet0/0 on R1 to connect router with cloud). Screenshots below showing whole process of creating link between cloud and router.

Once router is connect with cloud you can start router (green play button) and then right-click on the router and open router’s console.

In next section GNS3 Console you can see configuration of the router. Highlited lines on the listing below show where interaction or command is required. There is plenty of system information from boot process of the router to show whole process as much accurate as possible.


GNS3 Console

Connected to Dynamips VM "R1" (ID 0, type c3600) - Console port
Press ENTER to get the prompt.
################################################################################
############################################################################# [OK]

Smart Init is disabled. IOMEM set to: 5

Using iomem percentage: 5

Restricted Rights Legend

Use, duplication, or disclosure by the Government is
subject to restrictions as set forth in subparagraph
(c) of the Commercial Computer Software - Restricted
Rights clause at FAR sec. 52.227-19 and subparagraph
(c) (1) (ii) of the Rights in Technical Data and Computer
Software clause at DFARS sec. 252.227-7013.

cisco Systems, Inc.
170 West Tasman Drive
San Jose, California 95134-1706

Cisco IOS Software, 3600 Software (C3660-A3JK9S-M), Version 12.4(25c), RELEASE SOFTWARE (fc2)
Technical Support: http://www.cisco.com/techsupport
Copyright (c) 1986-2010 by Cisco Systems, Inc.
Compiled Fri 12-Feb-10 01:23 by prod_rel_team

This product contains cryptographic features and is subject to United
States and local country laws governing import, export, transfer and
use. Delivery of Cisco cryptographic products does not imply
third-party authority to import, export, distribute or use encryption.
Importers, exporters, distributors and users are responsible for
compliance with U.S. and local country laws. By using this product you
agree to comply with applicable laws and regulations. If you are unable
to comply with U.S. and local laws, return this product immediately.

A summary of U.S. laws governing Cisco cryptographic products may be found at:
http://www.cisco.com/wwl/export/crypto/tool/stqrg.html

If you require further assistance please contact us by sending email to
export@cisco.com

Cisco 3660 (R527x) processor (revision 1.0) with 124928K/6144K bytes of memory.
Processor board ID FTX0945W0MY
R527x CPU at 250MHz, Implementation 40, Rev 1.2, 512KB L2 Cache

3660 Chassis type: ENTERPRISE
2 FastEthernet interfaces
DRAM configuration is 64 bits wide with parity enabled.
125K bytes of NVRAM.
8192K bytes of processor board System flash (Read/Write)

--- System Configuration Dialog ---

Would you like to enter the initial configuration dialog? [yes/no]: no

Press RETURN to get started!

*Mar  1 00:00:03.439: %LINEPROTO-5-UPDOWN: Line protocol on Interface VoIP-Null0, changed state to up
*Mar  1 00:00:03.691: %LINEPROTO-5-UPDOWN: Line protocol on Interface IPv6-mpls, changed state to up
*Mar  1 00:00:04.079: %LINK-3-UPDOWN: Interface FastEthernet0/0, changed state to up
*Mar  1 00:00:04.127: %LINK-3-UPDOWN: Interface FastEthernet0/1, changed state to up
*Mar  1 00:00:05.079: %LINEPROTO-5-UPDOWN: Line protocol on Interface FastEthernet0/0, changed state to up
*Mar  1 00:00:05.127: %LINEPROTO-5-UPDOWN: Line protocol on Interface FastEthernet0/1, changed state to up
*Mar  1 00:00:12.491: AUTOINSTALL: FastEthernet0/0 is assigned 172.16.10.129
*Mar  1 00:00:12.495: AUTOINSTALL: Obtain siaddr 172.16.10.254 (as config server)
*Mar  1 00:01:13.439: %IP-5-WEBINST_KILL: Terminating DNS process
*Mar  1 00:01:14.051: %LINK-5-CHANGED: Interface FastEthernet0/1, changed state to administratively down
*Mar  1 00:01:15.051: %LINEPROTO-5-UPDOWN: Line protocol on Interface FastEthernet0/1, changed state to down
*Mar  1 00:01:19.655: %SYS-5-RESTART: System restarted --
Cisco IOS Software, 3600 Software (C3660-A3JK9S-M), Version 12.4(25c), RELEASE SOFTWARE (fc2)
Technical Support: http://www.cisco.com/techsupport
Copyright (c) 1986-2010 by Cisco Systems, Inc.
Compiled Fri 12-Feb-10 01:23 by prod_rel_team
*Mar  1 00:01:19.659: %SNMP-5-COLDSTART: SNMP agent on host Router is undergoing a cold start
Router>ena
Router#conf t
Enter configuration commands, one per line.  End with CNTL/Z.
Router(config)#int fa0/0
Router(config-if)#no shut
Router(config-if)#ip address 172.16.10.11 255.255.255.0
Router(config-if)#exit
Router(config)#exit
Router#ping 172.16.10.128

Type escape sequence to abort.
Sending 5, 100-byte ICMP Echos to 172.16.10.128, timeout is 2 seconds:
.!!!!
Success rate is 80 percent (4/5), round-trip min/avg/max = 4/9/16 ms
Router#

R1 configuration

Router#sh run
Building configuration...

Current configuration : 605 bytes
!
version 12.4
service timestamps debug datetime msec
service timestamps log datetime msec
no service password-encryption
!
hostname Router
!
boot-start-marker
boot-end-marker
!
no aaa new-model
memory-size iomem 5
!
ip cef
!
interface FastEthernet0/0
ip address 172.16.10.11 255.255.255.0
duplex auto
speed auto
!
interface FastEthernet0/1
no ip address
shutdown
duplex auto
speed auto
!
ip http server
no ip http secure-server
ip forward-protocol nd
!
control-plane
!
line con 0
line aux 0
line vty 0 4
login
!
end

Router#

Test connectivity from virtual machine with Debian 6

Now we can try to ping router (IP 172.16.10.11) from vitual machine. Once we see success it means that VMware can talk to GNS3 and vice versa.


Done !!! 🙂

Now VMware Workstation 8 is integrated with GNS3 which gives much more opportunities for testing and evaluating potential solutions.