Hello all,

First off, I am glad I found this forum. Unfortunately where I live I know of no one who is an expert in networking so I've basically blazed the trail within my social network circle! its good and bad -- mostly bad since I am sure alot of the stuff I am learning could of been taught to me within mins/hours instead of me googling, test labs, ect.


With that being said -- I wanted to pose a question I am sure many of us have ran into. I recently started using GNS3 to help study for my CCNP (finishing up SWITCH right now) but the problem I've found is that the images on the routers keep crashing and I have to end up closing and reopening the program. I have to also constantly save the configs because I never know when it will crash.
To say the least -- this has been quite frustrating so I stopped using it. Is there any other good alternatives or options I could use to practice for my CCNP?

Thanks guys!

I have very few problems, if any at all, using the IOS image below and the same settings as shown below in most of the net files. I do have problems if trying to run a large number of 7200's at one time.

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"See packet, be packet, you are packet. Ignore all else!" -The Networker
packetsdropped.wordpress.com

I can't say that I've ever had that problem with Dynamips before (never used GNS3).

IMO I don't see how having to "constantly save the configs" is a bad thing though... Very good practice for the real world

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blog.brokennetwork.ca

Indeed. a 'wr me' after every few commands is pretty essential.

I also run dynamips on linux directly and it hardly ever crashes

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www.mellowd.co.uk/ccie/

I guess I should add that as well. Let me restate "Every since I stopped running dynamips on winblowz it has been running without any problems."

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"See packet, be packet, you are packet. Ignore all else!" -The Networker
packetsdropped.wordpress.com

This.

Run Dynagen/Dynamips (no GNS3, so no GUI) on nix and you shouldn't have any issues if you're doing things right.

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http://blog.alwaysthenetwork.com

It's the prime reason I've been contemplating a dual boot on my boxes; having GNS3 fall down more frequently that I do after a heavy session is just plain frustrating. When I'm trying to study at 11PM, the last thing I want to worry about is the topology I'm working with falling over.

I haven't had any issues with the latest version of GNS3 on Windows running simple (2-4 router) topologies. Definitely better performance on Linux running just Dynamips/Dyangen. Seems as though performance & stability degraded just a bit going from XP to 7, but generally still works.

For CCNP labs, I use GNS3 on windows for UI and configure remote linux hypervisors with physical connections to catalyst gear. Fast, stable & covers pretty much all of CCNP material.

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I don't have a signature.

I started having issues when I got up to 12 routers in a topology.
I know it sounds fancy, but it really wasn't - it was one of Jeremy Cioara's CBT Nuggets topologies for familiarising myself with OSPF varied NBMA modes. Admittedly, it could be something to do with the sheer level of punishment I was dishing out to my laptop, but I can use this as an excuse to dump Ubuntu onto my laptop to see if I spot any difference. And probably onto my desktop as well. Just because.

Never had this issue with GNS.

Have you got the idle timers set correctly?

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Good Luck,

David

I run large bgp/ospf topologies (5 to 10 routers) on windows xp and 7 with out any issues. there are few tweaks you must do to allow this. First your IDEL pc is essential you need to set that and reset it at times needed.

IOS's my favorite is c2691-entservicesk9-mz.124-25c.bin.unpacked I use this is almost all my labs.

Granted the system I'm on is quad core with 4 gigs. Before that I could run 4 routers on my dell 630 WInxp 2 gigs dual core. With this I can use qemu/pix and my 2691.

Also when starting a new project always check the save nvram and ios startup configs.

If you like, I'll post my preference scrrenshots.

Below is my current lab.

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www.configbytes.com
I have no special gift, I’m only passionately curious.
- Albert Einstein

Hi

Do you by chance have a copy of the c2691-entservicesk9-mz.124-25c.bin IOS you could upload please ?


Many Thanks

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"See packet, be packet, you are packet. Ignore all else!" -The Networker
packetsdropped.wordpress.com