Set up a GNS3 server on a remote machine (like a VPS, home server, or cloud instance) and connect to it using the GNS3 GUI from your local computer. Optionally, integrate with real networks (e.g., via Ethernet or NAT) or virtualization platforms like VMware or VirtualBox.

✅ Step-by-Step Guide

1. Install GNS3 Server on Remote Machine

Supported OS:

• Ubuntu/Debian
• CentOS/RHEL
• Windows (but typically used as GUI)

Example on Ubuntu:

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sudo add-apt-repository ppa:gns3/ppa

sudo apt update

sudo apt install gns3-server

This installs only the gns3-server, not the GUI.

Start the Service:

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sudo systemctl start gns3

sudo systemctl enable gns3

You can check status:

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systemctl status gns3

2. Configure GNS3 Server for Remote Access

Edit the config file:

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sudo nano /etc/gns3/gns3_server.conf

Set:

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[Server]

host = 0.0.0.0       ; Listen on all interfaces

port = 3080          ; Default port

allow_remote_connections = True

Restart the server:

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sudo systemctl restart gns3

3. Open Firewall Port

On the remote machine, allow TCP port 3080:

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sudo ufw allow 3080/tcp

If behind a router/cloud provider, forward the port accordingly.

4. Connect Using GNS3 GUI (Local Machine)

Download and install GNS3 GUI on your local PC:

• https://www.gns3.com/software/download

After installation:

1. Open GNS3.
2. Go to Edit > Preferences > GNS3 Server .
3. Click Add under "Server list".
4. Enter:Hostname/IP: IP of your remote server
   Port: 3080
Name: e.g., "Remote Lab Server"
   
5. Click OK and set this server as default.

Now, when you create new projects, they'll run on the remote server.

5. ✅ Optional: Integrate with Real Networks

Option A: Bridged Networking (with Cloud node in GNS3)

Use the Cloud node in GNS3 to bridge to physical interfaces on the server.

Option B: NAT Forwarding

Use NAT in QEMU settings for basic internet access.

Option C: Connect to VMs (VirtualBox, VMware)

Ensure GNS3 is installed on the same machine as your VM platform, then link VM network adapters to GNS3 topologies.

6. 💡 Advanced Idea: Use Docker or VM for GNS3 Server

• Run GNS3 server inside a Docker container
• Or use a VM in VirtualBox/VMware/Virtual Private Server
• Ideal for lab isolation and scaling

7. 🔒 Secure Your GNS3 Server

• Use SSH tunneling or a reverse proxy with HTTPS
• Don’t expose the server directly to the internet without authentication/firewall
• Use fail2ban or similar tools

🎯 Use Cases for This Setup

• Shared labs for students or teams
• Always-on network simulations
• Integration with real hardware via Cloud nodes
• Running heavy topologies remotely while using a lightweight laptop locally

📦 Bonus: Add Dynamips, QEMU, IOU Support

Make sure your remote server has:

• Dynamips (for Cisco IOS emulation)
• QEMU binaries
• IOU dependencies (if needed)

These can be configured in the GNS3 GUI under:

Edit > Preferences > Server > Remote Servers

Would you like a script to automate the GNS3 server setup , or help with integrating EVE-NG with GNS3 , or maybe connecting GNS3 to AWS/GCP ? Let me know and I can tailor the next steps! fU9i fU9i fU9i fU9i fU9i fU9i fU9i fU9i fU9i fU9i fU9i fU9i fU9i fU9i fU9i fU9i fU9i fU9i fU9i fU9i fU9i fU9i fU9i fU9i fU9i fU9i fU9i fU9i fU9i fU9i fU9i fU9i fU9i fU9i fU9i fU9i fU9i fU9i fU9i fU9i fU9i fU9i fU9i fU9i fU9i fU9i fU9i fU9i fU9i fU9i fU9i