How to use GNS3 VM
GNS3 VM is a GNS3 server that runs inside a virtual machine. It gives you a full GNS3 network simulation environment. It works together with the GNS3 Web UI to provide powerful network simulation.
Supported Virtualization Platforms
GNS3 VM works with many virtualization platforms. You can choose the right one based on your needs and system:
| Virtualization Platform | File Format | Best For | Operating System |
|---|---|---|---|
| VirtualBox | .ova | Free and open source, good for personal use | Windows/macOS/Linux |
| VMware Workstation | .ovf | Good performance, many features | Windows/macOS/Linux |
| VMware ESXi | .ovf | Enterprise virtualization, production use | Dedicated system |
| KVM/QEMU | .qcow2 | Linux native virtualization, great performance | Linux |
| Hyper-V | .vhdx | Windows native virtualization | Windows Pro/Enterprise |
How to Choose a Platform
For Personal Learning and Development
- VirtualBox - Free and open source, easy to use, good for beginners
- VMware Workstation - Excellent performance, feature rich
For Production Environment
- VMware ESXi - Enterprise solution, stable and reliable
- KVM/QEMU - Open source option, great performance
For Windows Users
- Hyper-V - Built into Windows, no extra installation needed
Quick Start
Choose your virtualization platform and read the guide:
- How to use GNS3 VM with VirtualBox
- How to use GNS3 VM with VMware Workstation
- How to use GNS3 VM with VMware ESXi
- How to use GNS3 VM with KVM/QEMU
- How to use GNS3 VM with Hyper-V
System Requirements
No matter which platform you choose, make sure your system meets these basic requirements:
- CPU: Supports hardware virtualization (VT-x/AMD-V)
- Memory: 4GB of free memory recommended (GNS3 VM typically uses 2-4GB)
- Disk: At least 20GB of free disk space
- Network: A stable internet connection
Document Version: 3.1.0 Last Updated: 2026-05-13