Announcement: GNS3 network simulator ported to VirtualBox

[Technologov]

Hi All !

During last two weeks I have ported GNS3 network simulator to VirtualBox APIs, with the Alpha1 release available here:
http://www.gns3.net/phpBB/post9945.html ... 5531#p9945

It can start VirtualBox VMs, in additions to all existing types of emulators. Requires VirtualBox 4.0 + VBox python APIs to be installed.

Expect unstable, but working VirtualBox implementation, and other
modules should be stable, just as in official GNS3 release.

Notes for this release:
1. Use GNS3 Edit->Preferences->VBox->Test, to make sure you have VirtualBox installed. Must be v4.0.x
2. Use "Qemu Image" parameter as "VirtualBox VM name/UUID" for now.
3. All the configuration of VirtualBox VMs takes place in VirtualBox GUI, not from GNS3.
4. Network: use VirtualBox GUI to connect VMs to bridge or to VDE.
This is because VirtualBox doesn't offer the UDP networking option.
5. check "modified.txt" to see what has been changed vs. the official release. Quite a lot.
6. Non-VirtualBox-related functionality should be as stable as in official release.
7. Cannot save/restore projects/topology

CALL for HELP: Please patch VirtualBox for UDP networking, so it can
work seamlessy in GNS3. I don't know C++, so I can't do this job.
Example UDP mode patches exist for Qemu here:
http://www.gns3.net/phpBB/topic2949.htm ... ce37375531

--
-"Technologov"

[Technologov]

BTW: We already moved to BETA testing.

Download:
http://www.gns3.net/phpBB/topic3262-210.html

Screenshot:
http://www.gns3.net/phpBB/download/file ... &mode=view

GNS3 VBE is a wonderful network simulator, with many features:
1. Cross-platform -- GNS3 runs on all platforms, that are supported by
VirtualBox. Namely: Windows, Linux, Mac OS X, Solaris, FreeBSD.
2. Qt4 GUI (same as VirtualBox) -- very intuitive and user-friendly.
3. Dynamic Topology layer -- items (VMs/Routers/Switches/Cables) can
be added or removed at run-time, without shutting down devices or
topology. (provided by 'Dynagen' component)
3.a. Topology can be connected to Real networks by means of "Cloud".
4. Packet Captures -- full integration with Wireshark.
5. Very easy and readable text format (for saving topology)
6. Three underlying engines: Dynamips (Routers+Switches), Qemu and
VirtualBox (for VMs).
6.a. It is recommended to install all 3 engines to enjoy full power of
GNS3, but installing only VirtualBox and skipping 2 others is
possible.
7. Multi-host -- distributed architecture. (although most of our users
run everything on 'localhost')
8. GNS3 is intended as education tool.
9. Tight integration with VirtualBox
10. Open-Source -- GNS3 is GPLed

With this release, GNS3 and VirtualBox users can create interesting network
topologies and learn computer networks.
(Windows/Linux/Cisco...)

Best Wishes,
--
-"Technologov"