Yesterday INE finally added a Full-Scale LAB in their new CCIE Route and Switching blueprint 5 workbook.
I realized this morning that you maybe don’t want to spend half of your day (like me) configuring this topology in GNS3. Better to just take it from here and start your lab right away.
In my study process for the last year I made almost all my labs from INE on GNS3. In that way I was able to run the labs for more days in a row and not think about the money I would spent on rack rentals. Of course, you will still need some rack rentals particularly for troubleshooting sessions. For troubleshooting you need preconfigured rack because if you configure those topologies by yourself there is a big chance that you will see ticket answers and that will break the point of troubleshooting study process.
All my config sessions were done on GNS3 and this one in the next few days will be also done in GNS3. If you want to spare some time and get the topology ready, up and running in few minutes you can download it at the end of this article.
Read more and download files!
And Remember!
Do the topology by yourself, you will learn more!
From my perspective it’s always better to do the topology by yourself and try to get most things to work connecting all the devices from scratch. Maybe you are thinking now, I don’t want to do this, how can this be better, I will lose a lot of time to get this lab to work!
Yes, maybe you will, but that is the primary reason for learning for the CCIE exam, right? You just love to type in some configs on Cisco devices and get the out a nice and working topology. You will catch yourself thinking Layer2 and then Layer3 and then back to Layer2 and this altogether will be in future crucial to pass the exam.
Long story short, Use my topology, especially if you know the basics and want to go straight to LAB
This topology together with all connections and device configurations is INE R&S Workbook 5 Full-Scale Practice Lab1 created from scratch so the interface names are changed from Gi1 to Gi1/0 and from Gi2 to Gi0/0
All other stuff will probably work. If you see some issues please leave a comment and I will resolve it asap. Now you can simply take this file, unzip it directly to C:\ and start working with GNS3 0.8.6. Please note that I used the path directly to C:\ to avoid issues with IOS and config paths being different on your computer from topology file that is used inside GNS3.
DOWNLOAD (updated)
This is updated download section with GNS3 1.3.7 Project file which will load and work out-of-the-box in newest version of GNS3.
For this topology to work without changes, follow this few steps:
- INE R&S Workbook 5 Full-Scale Practice LAB1 for GNS3 version 1.3.7
- Download the file linked above and extract it directly to root of your C:\
- Open GNS3 and add new ISO image (Edit->Preference)
- In GNS3 open project and select C:\GNS3_1_INElab1\INEvol5fulllab1_GNS1\INEvol5fulllab1_GNS1.gns3
- If anyone is opening the project using Mac OS X GNS3 and running into the “Path to image images\lab1.png doesn’t exist” error:
Edit the project file “INEvol5fulllab1_GNS1.gns3” with a text editor and look for the line “images\\lab1.png”
Change the “\\” to a “/” and save it. The topology should then load correctly when you open it again. (Thanks to Tom Coffeen from ipv6.works for reporting this issue)
—————————————————————————————–
This is the old version prepared to work with GNS prior to GNS1.0
- INE R&S Workbook 5 Full-Scale Practice Lab1
- To make everything work without any tuning of the configuration and topology files I did prepare this in a way that if you unzip the file directly to C:\ it will put there GNS3_INEv5 folder from which you can simply start the topology file.
- If you unzip somewhere else, you will need to change the path for IOS image and config files directory inside topology file. (topology.net)
If there is something that does not work please leave a comment so I will try to fix it. I hope this will help you get started with GNS3 learning.
Its not showing the wonderfull image
it says
=> Cannot load image: working\lab1.png
Hi,
Thanks for the info. I just made some changes and if you download again it should work fine.
If you can, please let me know if it is working for you now?
Thanks again,
V
Great setup. I did not realized that we could do dot1q on the fake GNS3 switch. I already did this lab in IOU, but I wanted to see how smoothly your setup worked. Looks good so far. Thanks.
By the way, it is not necessary to create the separate servers (1,2,3) in GNS3, because Router15 is doing a trick to handle this (see R15 routing-context-vrf config). It is explained later in one of the tasks.
Hi,
Great, thanks, I am glad you enjoyed this lab. It’s true, I realised later on while doing the lab that the servers are not needed but I forgot to remove them from this file.
Hi,
Thanks for the nice work.Can you please post the full logical topology in pdf format for download.
Valter,
Amazing work, thank you. See if MCB could share his IOU lab and post it here, if you can.
are you already using GNS31.1? if so, can you also share the “topology.gns3” file instead of “topology.net”? thanks!
what’s your computer’s specs?
I have 8GB of RAM, CPU i5 2.60GHz. CPU is having hard time with this lab but it is working fine most of the time.
Valter,
Please will a 8GB of RAM, Cpu i7 3GHz computer from this lab fine enough?
I was running this lab on 8GB RAM PC, when you start the lab it will be unresponsive for a while and after that it will be really slow.
I usually tried to separate my LAB tasks so that no more that 10 router needed to be available at the same time. That way, you will get through the tasks much faster.
thanks for your response.
so you recommend a 16GB ram core i7 computer?
is 3.1GHz Dual-core Intel Core i7, Turbo Boost up to 3.4GHz (macboom pro) good enough?
That’s a nice piece of machinery 🙂
It should be fine, yes.
getting => Cannot load image: working\lab1.png with GNS3 Version 1.2.1
It is possible that the image is in the wrong folder. You can edit topology.net file in some text editor and at the end of the file you should find “working/lab1.png”. Just delete working/ and leave only “lab1.png” it should work then.
You can simply copy and paste lab1.png to C:\Users\\GNS3\projects\INEvol5fulllab1\INEvol5fulllab1-files\images\
Yes, you are correct. It seems that the image is there but it is in root and not in the right folder.
Sorry for that
Are you planning to add INE V5 Advanced Technology practice lab ?
I am not sure, for now, I have some other posts in my plans, not labbing so much anymore. But I will do some labs in VIRL next week so maybe there will be something new here then.
Hi, Please let em know how you did your VIRL, including the computer you are using because I am facing problems with my VM. Thanks
Do you know if this topology is compatible with the advanced technology v5 workbook? I am unsure which track to pursue (RS and SP are both interesting and relevant to my job) and want to know how much of the workbook can be easily virtualised before I decide which to spend my budget on. I know INE supply a ready made gns3 topology with the SP workbook. But SP v4 next year changes all that!
This topology was made based on v5 workbook.
Hello Valter, I am fairly new to GNS3, so learning my steps while preparing for CCIE. Hence, sorry in advance for a very dumb quesiton – when I download your file and unzip it in C:\ and open the topology.net file, it simply loads an image of the entire topology in GNS3. My dumb question is – how do I then access all the routers on it via CLI? I simply cannot click on it and open since it’s an image.
Thank you in advance.
It seems that the image went one layer up and cover all devices. Try to right click and select “Lower one layer” few times.
Thanks for that Valter. However, I have given it a try on a couple of different versions of GNS3, but without much luck. RIght clicked on the picture, did ‘Lower One layer’ a few times, but without much joy.
I agree its not looking like it should. Also new to GNS3 but what I see after downloading is way wrong.
Can you describe what issues do you have with the file?
I will then take a look in the file and try to resolve compatibility problems
Hello valter.
How do you get connectivity between R6 and R18 with out having one more router for ISP bgp 65123
Hi Lemma,
R15 has the VRF for that connection. Keep in mind that all routers are connected physically with one Ethernet cable to L2 switch and the topology is configured using subinterfaces. In this case, R15 is having a separate VRF “internet” with rd 65123:65123 that keeps a separate routing table which represents BGP AS 65123. If you open the config of R15 you will see the interfaces GigabitEthernet1/0.60 and GigabitEthernet1/0.180 added to that VRF.
Hi Valter,
Thank you so much for your quick response.This saved a lot of time to build the topology.
HI Valter,
You have put a lot of effort to make this topology and to make the work easy for us. Thanks for that. But there is a small problem here and that is when i downloaded the topology there are just the routers and no links are there between the routers. Do we need to do them manually? or it is my GNS which is not showing the links. Also if you can provide the link for INE v5 work book will be highly appreciated.
Thanks in advance and keep up the good work.
Hi,
It is possible that topology image is covering all links and devices. Try with right click and then “Lower one layer” or “Raise one Layer” few times and you will be able to see hidden links.
How do i open this topology using a macbook version of GNS3
Having the same problem here…
Hi Zig,
This file was prepared for use on Windows machine. It is about paths in .net topology file that are in incompatible format between OSes. I can try to open it on MAC and prepare it for OSX but I don’t promise that it will be this week.
Thanks,
hi, first of all, thank you and God bless you for this. I would like to ask you if you have included a switch on the lab, because when I opened, it appeared a swl2 device connecting all other devices, its like the core of the entire lab, so Im wondering if this is correct or the gns3 posted this error? thank you so much in advance
Hi,
It is correct, the topology is made so that every router is using only one real interface connected to L2 switch. Then the topology is created using subinterfaces. In this way by creating different subinterfaces you can connect any two devices together.
Hi Valter,
Can I use them to test the individaul advance techonology? I have found out, ine topology is diffrerent from yours.is this to test the full lab and Troubleshoot ?
i don’t know if they changed Full-Scale Practice Lab1 topology. I don’t believe they did.
I’m pretty sure that you can use this LAB and change the settings on routers to get any of INEv5 Full-Scale Practice labs.
It is not for troubleshooting, configuration labs only as far as I know.
hi Valter, really like your post, very helpfull. i have a question. do you know how the ethernet layer looks like for INE RS v5 advanced tech labs?? maybe it’s me who does not understant it very well, but things like:
R1 Gig0/0 —> Fa1/0/1 on SW1
R2 Gig0/2 —> Fa1/0/2 on SW2
…
so that we can do the real physical cabling.
Hi Valter,
really a great effort my friend,i request could you please build this topology on latest gns3.second i wanna know your beautiful topology diagram PNG file how u embedded this into topology.when i open topology png file come top of really device so initially thought if i click on png file icon router i might get console but after that i realize its just png no scripting behind so i move png aand look the real connectivity.
Hi, Thanks!
You can actually put the image in the background by right click and selecting option to lower the image by one layer. It will hide router connections to L2 switch but keep routers above image 😉
Hi Valter thanks for the share, I just have one question where is the switches in this topology? how will we utilize the four switches in the first digram of the INE workbook here?
is there any special rain to use sub interfaces and vlans instead of normal ip connectivity? i why to built my set up too
thanks in advance.
Hi
It is not showing any router connected with the layer 2 switch, only layer 2 switch is showing in the devices when I import the topology. Here the status below of topology with errors for all routers connected with the switch.
*** Warning: Connecting swl2 23 to dot1q 1 R18 g1/0 resulted in:
nonexistent device R18
*** Error: errors during loading of the topology file, please correct them
=>
=> list
Name Type State Server Console AUX
swl2 ETHSW always on 127.0.0.1:7207 n/a n/a
Please help.
I will try to get the topology for new version of GNS3. From what I see, for most of you the issues were when using this topology on new GNS3. Please keep in mind that this was done last year for my CCIE studies on GNS 0.8.something
It’s time to migrate this one to new GNS for sure…
Configuration missing on some Router (eg. R2, R3, R4).
Where can i get the assign IP information?
The configuration should be in the folder inside the zip.
Hi Valter,
Thanks for sharing this Lab, really appreciate your effort.would you be able to share the INE workbook as well? the one has same setup in your lab.
Thanks You
Hi Singh,
Thanks for commenting,
Unfortunately it will not be possible to share the Workbook with you as it would mean breaking the copyright of the INE.com company.
All the best with labs!
Thank you Valter for sharing.
Hi Valter
Really Really a Nice Peace of work.
I upload your LAB in GNS3 and it working fine all routers are up and running. I have a INE Workbook v5, Your Topology is little different then INE Topology. Is all INE v5 Labs will be work in your topology?
thanks
Hi,
I didn’t check for few months now if something changed in INE Workbook v5. This lab should be prepared to follow the tasks in CCIE R&S v5 Full-Scale Lab 1. This GNS3 topology is actually prepared to be used for all Full Scale labs in that workbook. You only need to change the configuration on all devices with configuration for some other Full Scale lab and you should be ready to go…
Hope that helps,
Cheers!
thanks a lot mate… really appreciate your efforts… it was very helpful
really helpful and all my word is you rock and thank you !!!!
Thanks for the topology.
Does the configuration on the routers match a 100% the topology?
I’m little confused, I use to configure a VPN with MPLS…
Is the R15 the PE? where in the topology is that stated?
It would be ok if I configure it as in the topology?
Sorry, I saw it carefully… ISP… I get it now…
HI, I’ve got this bunch of errors, not sure why i need here :
Server error from http://192.168.190.1:3080: R10: unable to start VM instance ‘R10’
Server error from http://192.168.190.1:3080: R8: unable to start VM instance ‘R8’
Server error from http://192.168.190.1:3080: R4: unable to start VM instance ‘R4’
Hi,
Maybe is the GNS3 version, or maybe you can try to play a bit with the ports used on newly started instances, not sure..
Can someone send me the lab workbook?
Thanks for sharing your awesome effort Valter!
Just a tip if anyone is opening the project using Mac OS X GNS3 and running into the “Path to image images\lab1.png doesn’t exist” error:
Edit the project file “INEvol5fulllab1_GNS1.gns3” with a text editor and look for the line “images\\lab1.png”
Change the “\\” to a “/” and save it. The topology should then load correctly when you open it again. 🙂
Tom
Hi Tom,
Great to see you visiting my blog and thanks for the update. I will include this tip in the post so everybody gets the lab up and running without issues.
Thanks again!
My pleasure! Thanks again for sharing such a useful resource!
Salute to both of you
Hi Valter,
Great work. Thank you for sharing. Actually, I am thinking to start my journey and how to prepare my study plan. Your words were really helpful. I will definitely consider you guidance.
hi – I have 16GB RAM and when I do not turn on all nodes at once, it is working fine. However I also use other application like browser and microsoft word. Do you have information what is configured where? for example, where is dmvpn where is dhcp server, where is hsrp etc.
Hi Valter,
R3,R4,R5.Server2,Server3 and Server4 has no configs in them.
I downloaded the zip file twice and it is the same.
Can you please update with configs.
Thank you.
hi Can you plz share the configuration of IOS Router template
I am not able to see all interface as per your topology.
Hi,
You should have all configs inside GNS project file available for download at the end on the article..
Hi, GNS3 says “The image c7200-adventerprisek9-mz.152-4.S1.image is missing” opening the topo but i have already created the appliance and image into GNS3 VM. How can I solve this?
I have same issue. How did you resolve it?
Not able to download the lab files, can you please provide the correct link to download the GNS3 topology file.
Hi Feroz,
Yes, it seems that the files were lost on the last server migration.
I will try to get it back asap.
Hi Feroz,
Try now, it should be ok.
Hi, it is not working yet. I tried to downolad, but i got the message Error 404 Not Found.
Please, could you provide the correct link?
It’s not working yet, I just tried to download.
Hi Guys,
I uploaded it now. Can you try if you can open it in the GNS3.
Apparently, it is working on GNs3 but with the local server only.
Hi Valter,
Many thanks, I was able to download it. I’ve just upgraded to GNS3 v2.1.11 and I was not able to make the topology work. I kept receiving error message that says that the image is missing though I’ve added the image in the IOS folder. Would you an idea how to resolve this?
I will try and get back to you 😉