Installing GNS3 on nixOS

GNS3 is a free, open-source software that allows you to simulate complex networks using Cisco IOS, Juniper JunOS or other major vendors' operating systems. In this tutorial, we will outline the steps to download and install GNS3 on the nixOS latest version.

Step 1 - Update the System

Before installing GNS3, make sure your nixOS system is up to date. Run the following command to update:

sudo nix-channel --update && sudo nixos-rebuild switch

Step 2 - Install Required Packages

There are few packages that are required for running GNS3. We need to install them first. Run the following command to install:

nix-env -iA nixos.glib nixos.kernel-modules nixos.vde2 nixos.dynamips nixos.iou nixos.gns3

Step 3 - Configure Necessary Settings

To run GNS3, you need to configure some settings in the configuration file. Open the configuration file with your preferred text editor:

sudo nano /etc/gns3/gns3_server.conf

Add the following code at the end of the file:

[Server]
host = 127.0.0.1
auth = False

Save and close the file.

Step 4 - Run GNS3

Finally, you can run GNS3 using the following command:

gns3 &

You will see the GUI of the GNS3. Now, you can start configuring your networks and devices.

Conclusion

GNS3 is an excellent tool for network simulation and testing. By following these simple steps, you can easily install and run GNS3 on your nixOS system.