CPE529C

COMPUTER NETWORK AND SECURITY

Act # 2: Lab Setup and Configuration

Objectives
1. Establish connection to the server (local access only)
a. Access to CNS shared folder
b. Access to CNS web site
c. No packet loss in ping
2. Extract the contents of the CNS Lab – Image archive in your
designated folder.
3. Configure VMWare Player and Graphical Network Simulator 3
(GNS3)
a. Configure the GNS3 VM in VMWare Player
b. Configure GNS3 to connect to the GNS3 VM
Objectives
4. Install GNS3 Qemu router and switch images
5. Working with a GNS3 project
a. Adding and running Qemu router and switch devices
b. Establish a console terminal connection to the devices
6. Export the GNS3 project into a .gns3project file (follow naming
convention) and upload it together with the lab document into the
designated repository.
Considerations in using VMWare with GNS3 VM
1. GNS3 VM requires nested virtualization (Intel VT-x or equivalent)
enabled in the BIOS settings.

2. Microsoft Hyper-V and other similar services must be disabled

when using VMWare. Check your computer’s settings.

3. In Windows 10 / 11, you need to disable Memory Isolation in your

computer’s settings.
Lab Document
Must contain the following:
1. Standard COE/CPE lab activity front page
2. Answers / Results / Evidences on the activity items or questions or
objectives
3. Other supporting artifacts

Lab document is INDIVIDUAL submission.

File name: {LN, FN – Act # [num].pdf} e.g. Wong, Kenn Arion – Act # 2.pdf
Let’s all work quietly. Raise your
hand to get my attention.
Establish Connection to the Server
Open Run window
Enter credentials to connect to the Server

Credentials are displayed on the screen

Activities folder contains the activity manual.
Resources folder contains the tools and apps needed.

Submissions folder will contain your lab submissions.

Ensure that you follow the naming format.
Ensure you are accessing the correct website
No Packet Loss
Configure VMWare Player and
Graphical Network Simulator 3
(GNS3)
Create a working folder in your computer.

This folder will contain all your lab files. Secure this
folder to prevent any modification by other students.
Copy the following archive files from the
server to your working folder, then
extract the archive in your working
folder:

CNS Lab - GNS3 VM – original

CNS Lab - GNS3 VM – modified
Open VMWare

Remove any virtual machine present in this console.

Open the context menu and select “Remove from the
Library”
Load the GNS3 VM.vmx from the
GNS3 VM folder inside of your
working folder.
Let’s modify VM
settings.
Set the appropriate details
 Close VMWare

Remove your
virtual machine
on the library.

At this point, do not open VMWare. It will open

automatically when GNS3 is properly configured.
Open %AppData%\VMware on a Run
window. Open preferences.ini on a text
editor. Add this line:
prefvmx.defaultVMPath = “path to working folder“

Replace path to working folder to your

working folder path.
Open GNS3. You may need to wait for a couple of
second to successfully load its backend services.
Open Preferences
Go to GNS3 VM
Set appropriate settings
Install GNS3 Qemu router and
switch images
Ensure that
GNS3 VM is
active
Just follow the wizard
Just follow the wizard
Just follow the wizard
Just follow the wizard
Just follow the wizard
Just follow the wizard
Just follow the wizard
Import again but this time…
You should have 2 devices:
Create New Project
Set appropriate value
Your working toolbars
Routers
Switches
Drag the objects to create instance.

Set device hostname appropriately.

Create a connection
Click on the device to list down interfaces

Select G0/0

Red icon means no connection and available

Click on the next device and connect it to G0/0
Add VPCS
Connect VPCS to the Switch
Click on the Play icon to start all devices
Click on the Console icon to open console window of each device
The console allows us to perform
configuration activities on the
device.
Export your project into a .gns3project file
Raise your hand so I can check your work,
once you are finish.

Document your work. Upload your

activity files on the Server.

Close GNS3. This will also close VMWare.

Ensure before leaving:

Open %AppData%\VMware and open

preferences.ini file again on a text editor.

Clear the value of prefvmx.defaultVMPath to

empty string value.
END