GNS3 is a cross platform graphical network simulator that runs on multiple operating systems. No Starch Press has recently released The Book of GNS3. The book has been divided into 10 chapters and also includes three Appendixes.
The first chapter provides a basic introduction to GNS3. The author talks about why you need to make use of GNS3, concept of emulated hardware, operating systems and virtual connectivity. The chapter also examines several open source integration platforms such as Dynamips Hypervisor, QEMU, Virtual Box in addition to Hamstrung Network Performance.
In Chapter 2, the author talks about the steps required to install a basic GNS3 system in Windows, OS X and Ubuntu operating systems. You will also learn the steps associated with the installation of GNS3 from Packages and via source code. Towards the end of the chapter, the author has examined the installation of GNS3 WorkBench. I wonder why the author has provided the screenshot of GNS3 WorkBench before discussion.
The remaining chapters examine the configuration, creation and management of projects, hosts integration in addition to usage of Wireshark.
In Chapter 6, the author covers the installation of GNS3 in Juniper routers. You will learn how to make use of VirtualBox and Quick Emulator (QEMU) to create GNS3 ready Juniper devices and installation of Juniper’s vSRX Firefly firewall.
Chapters 7 and 8 examine the concept of device nodes, live switches, Cisco ASA, Intrusion DetectionSystems / Intrusion Prevention Systems and IOS-XRv.
In chapter 9, you will learn the steps associated with installation and integration of Cisco IOS devices with GNS3. The author has examined the installation using both Unix and NX-OSv.
The final chapter covers some of the cool things you can perform on a rainy day. You will learn management of devices from an access server, installation the virtual interface, configuration of Loopback Adapter in Windows and TAP Adapter in Linux.
The chapter also examines the steps required to create a Virtual Access Server in GNS3 in addition to configuring a Cisco IP Hostname Table. The author also examines some of the advanced concepts such as Copying GNS3 Projects between Platforms and project creation using Multiple PCs. The chapter also covers all the components in GNS3 console.
The Book of GNS3 also includes three appendixes which cover advanced concepts related to Cisco hardware, NM-16ESW and IOU L2. The author has provides a glossary of important terms associated with networking, which I hope will be useful for readers.
Jason C Neumann, author of The Book of GNS3 has examined the concepts in each chapter with the help of screenshots, diagrams and source codes.
The Book of GNS3 will be very useful for advanced networking professionals who would like to expand their knowledge beyond what they have learned in classrooms.
The Book of GNS3 can also be used to impart GNS3 training to students since there is lack of quality study materials on this particular subject.
