Differences between Packet Tracer, GNS3, and Cisco VIRL

This tutorial compares Cisco Packet Tracer, GNS3, and Cisco VIRL and explains their advantages, disadvantages, similarities, and differences.

If you are preparing for CCNA/CCNP exam or looking for software that allows you to configure and test various networking scenarios, you have three options. These options are Cisco Packet Tracer, Cisco VIRL, and GNS3.

Let’s discuss these options in detail.

Cisco Packet Tracer

Cisco developed this software for Cisco Academy students. It simulates all essential networking devices that you need to practice CCNA exam topics. It does not emulate any networking device.

Emulation and simulation are two methods to create virtual devices.

In the emulation process, the software creates an exact virtual copy of the physical device. It supports all features and functions of the physical device. It needs the same hardware and software configuration as the physical device.

In the simulation process, the software creates a virtual copy of the required features and functions of the physical device. It supports limited features and functions of the physical device. It does not need the same hardware and software configuration as the physical device. Usually, the software automatically assigns and configures the required hardware and software configuration.

Advantages of using packet tracer

• It is easy to install. The installation process starts in the wizard and provides self-explanatory easy-to-configure options. You do not need any additional configuration after installation. You can start using it just after the installation.
• It supports all essential Cisco routers, switches, PCs, and networking devices that you need to practice CCNA exam topics. It also includes many example network topologies that you can use as references for CCNA exam topics.
• It is free to download and use. To download it, you need to create a Cisco academy account on NetAcad’s website. After creating the account, you can use the same account to log in and use the packet tracer.

Disadvantages of using packet tracer

• It simulates virtual devices. It means you will get limited and requirement-specific features and functions in virtual devices.
• You need an active Cisco academy account to use it. You need to log in to the Cisco academy account to save topologies on it.
• It uses proprietary source code.
• It includes only Cisco routers and switches. You cannot add routers and switches from other vendors.
• You cannot integrate virtual devices created on packet tracer with real physical devices.

Cisco VIRL

Cisco VIRL (Virtual Internet Routing Lab) is another official network simulator software from Cisco. It includes many advanced features. It supports both emulation and simulation of virtual devices.

Advantages of using Cisco VIRL

• It supports all Cisco routers, switches, firewalls, gateways, and other networking devices that you need to practice CCNA, CCNP, and CCIE exam topics.
• It supports a large number of protocols, features, and the latest versions of Cisco IOS.
• You can integrate virtual devices created on it with real physical devices.
• It provides a complete network simulation platform for testing, training, and learning.
• It is easy to deploy, easy to build, and easy to collaborate with.

Disadvantages of using Cisco VIRL

• It is expensive software. You have to pay an annual fee to use it.
• Based on the license type, it limits the number of virtual devices you can create and use. For example, in the personal edition, you can use up to 20 Cisco nodes per topology.
• It is not suitable for beginners.
• It requires large amounts of RAM and CPU.
• It requires paid virtualization software such as VMware Workstation, VM Player, Fusion, etc.
• It does not support free virtualization software such as VirtualBox.
• It supports only Cisco networking devices.

GNS3

GNS3 is a community-based open-source network simulator software. It can emulate and simulate virtual devices. You can use it to emulate, simulate, configure, test, and troubleshoot virtual and real networking devices.

Advantages of using GNS3

• It is free software. You can download and use it without any restrictions.
• It supports multiple vendor environments.
• You can use it with or without virtualization software. If you want to use it with virtualization software, it supports both free and paid virtualization software.
• It does not put any limitations per topology. You can create as many virtual devices as your system’s hardware supports.
• It natively supports Linux. It means you can use it on Linux without any virtualization software.
• It includes many pre-configured and optimized simulated appliances.
• It supports all VIRL images. If you have a Cisco VIRL image, you can use it on GNS3.

Disadvantages of using GNS3

• It does not provide IOS images. You have to obtain IOS images on your own.
• It needs a local installation to run.
• If your system has less hardware configuration, GNS3 will not perform properly.

Choosing right software

Which software you should choose from Cisco Packet Tracer, Cisco VIRL, and GNS3 depend on your requirement and budget. If you are a beginner and need easy-to-use software to practice CCNA exam topics, Cisco packet tracer is the best. If you are an intermediate or an advanced user and need software to practice CCNP or CCIE exam topics, you can use either Cisco VIRL or GNS3. If you need immediate support and are ready to spend 200$ to 300$ yearly, you can choose Cisco VIRL. If community support is sufficient for you, you can use GNS3. Besides support, GNS3 provides more features and functions than Cisco VIRL.

Video version

This tutorial is also available in video format on our YouTube channel.

That’s all for this tutorial. In this tutorial, we compared Cisco Packet Tracer, Cisco VIRL, and GNS3 and discussed their advantages and disadvantages.