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Gregory's Tech Page: March 2012

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Networking 101: Using

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Networking 101: Using a Linux host via qemu in

GNS3
So, lately I've been studying for the CCNA exam, which is probably 15
years overdue. Part of the exam is running commands on a router or
switch. Unless you happen to have access to a rack full of Cisco gear
you can change at will you'll need a simulator. GNS3 is just that - a
simulator that lets you set up virtual switches and routers and "connect"
them virtually. It works great!
GNS3 also has a built-in QEMU module so you can add virtual hosts to
your pretend network. That means you can start a web server on one
end and a client on the other and actually connect them. Or whatever
you want really.
But you have enough to do without learning QEMU right? So here's a
quick guide to integrating Damn Small Linux into GNS3. I'm using
Windows 7 64bit as my workstation.
DSL - Damn Small Linux.
I chose this distribution because it's tiny, starts quicky and uses very little
memory. You can start up a DSL virtual instance in 128m of RAM. Here
are the tricks I used to get it working.
Versions used.
GNS3 0.7.4 - Ships with QEMU
Damn Small Linux - 4.4.10 32bit ISO
First obtain the DSL ISO image. I downloaded it and placed it directly
into the GNS3 program folder in Windows 7, which is located
in C:\Program Files (x86)\GNS3
Start a windows CMD prompt and CD to the GNS3 directory.
C:\Program Files (x86)\GNS3
Now create a QEMU virtual disk. This will contain your DSL instance.
C:\> qemu-img create dsl 1G
This creates an 1GB "container". You can probably make it smaller, or
bigger. It can be grown dynamically anyway if you need more space.

Now boot Damn Small Linux from QEMU

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in the command line.
C:\Program Files (x86)\GNS3> qemu -hda dsl -cdrom dslgregsumner.blogspot.com.es/2012_03_01_archive.html

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4.4.10.iso -m 256 -boot d

> -hda dsl: indicates the "dsl" partition you made will be in the "hda"
physical partition.
> a - cdrom dsl-4.4.10.iso: indicates that the ISO image will be used as
your CDROM.
> -m 256: Use 256m of RAM
> -boot d : indicated D drive is the boot drive.
DSL should now spin up. Just follow the prompts. Eventually the
desktop will come up. Right click on the desktop and navigate to Apps /
Tools / Install to Hard Drive.
A script will launch. Enter these params at the prompts.
Target partition: hda
Support multii-user? Sure, why not. Enter 'y'
Use ext3 filesystem? y
Last chance? y
It will warn you that hda is the entire drive and not a partition. That's OK,
confirm it.
Now DSL will install itself into your virtual disk. Neat! Wait awhile and
DSL will ask you if you want a bootloader. Confirm Yes and when
prompted - chose LILO by entering 'l' (lowercase L). This is
important, GRUB will not work.
Eventually DSL will try to reboot. It will fail, because it can only be
launched by QEMU. DSL doesn't know it's a virtual instance it thinks it's
on real hardware. What it doesn't know won't hurt it.
Now, your DSL should be fully installed. Back in the DOS prompt you
should be able to launch it with this command.
C:\Program Files (x86)\GNS3> qemu -hda dsl -m 256
You can use any amount of RAM you want, I think 256 is safe though.

Now, let's configure GNS3 to launch your desktops by itself.

Launch GNS3 and go to Edit / Preferences / Qemu section. Most of the
info will be filled in for you.
Click on the Qemu Host tab. Create a new instance for DSL:
Identifier name: Name it whatever, I called it "DSL-1"
Binary image: It took me a long time to figure this one out. Where does
Qemu store its virtual disks??? I finally found them after searching the
hard drive. Click the "..." button and browse to:
C:\Users\\AppData\Local\VirtualStore\Program Files (x86)\GNS3\ your Qemu instances should be in here.
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RAM: 256 (or whatever)

Number of NICs: How many do you want? They're free! I left it at 6.
Pick the rest if it's important to you, or leave it at defaults and hit Save.
Now, test your Qemu settings on the General Settings tab. If everything
is working, when you launch a Host then a DSL virtual desktop should
automatically pop up!

[http://1.bp.blogspot.com/GGM701EoKm8/T2oMG1PaOLI/AAAAAAAAENk/z0yEMFIWZJk/s1600/demo.png]

Posted 21st March 2012 by Gregory Sumner

Labels: Networking 101

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