Configuring IOU Switch in GNS3

I needed to do some quick switching labs so I run IOU Layer 2 Switch in VirtualBox and GNS3. To run an IOU Layer 2 image in GNS3, go to File > Important Appliance > search the IOU .ova file > Next.
 

Click Import.

 

To edit settings, click the IOU VM > Settings

General > change the VM name (IOU_VM)

 

System > Motherboard > Base Memory > type 256

 

Network > Adapter 1 > Attached to: Host-only Adapter (this settings is already pre-configured) > click OK.

Right-click on the VM > Start > Normal Start.

 

Type the login and password: root / cisco

I had an issue where there was no IP address after http://

 

To fix the blank IP address, go to File > Preferences > Network > Host-only Networks > VirtualBox Host-Only Ethernet Adapter #x > Adapter > Edit (screw driver icon at the very bottom).

Change the 169.x.x.x APIPA address to 192.168.56.1 and Network Mask 255.255.255.0 > click OK.
  

Go to DHCP Server tab > leave Enable Server ticked > type Server Address: 192.168.56.100 > Server Mask: 255.255.255.0 > Lower Address Bound: 192.168.56.101 > Upper Address Bound: 192.168.56.254 > click OK.

Reset the IOU VM by doing a Power OFF then ON. You'll notice the http:// has an IP address upon bootup.

You can also verify using the ifconfig command.

 

Type the URL http://192.168.56.101:8000/upload on a web browser (I’ve used Mozilla Firefox) > click Browse and search for the IOU file > click Upload. 

Upload the L2 and L3 IOU Images (compatible with GNS3 1.3.1rc4) and also Phyton license setup

  

The upload process will take about 2-3 minutes to finish.

 

You can delete image files from the IOU VM server by issuing the commands (Linux):

cd /home/gns3/GNS3/images/IOU     // CHANGE DIRECTORY
ls        // TO LIST  
rm <IMAGE NAME>     // REMOVE THE FILE

In GNS3 (I've used version 1.3.1rc4) go to Edit > Preferences > Server > Local server  tab > choose host binding: 192.168.56.1 and TCP port range below.

 

Go to Remote servers tab > leave the defaults for Host: 192.168.56.101 and Port: 8000 TCP > click Add > Apply.

 

You'll need to allow GNS3 server on your PC personal firewall (mine's Windows Firewall). Click Allow access.
 

Go to IOS on UNIX > Browse > search for the IOURC.txt file > click Apply.

 

Click IOU devices > leave the default settings below and click Next.

 

A pop-up message will appear asking to provide the directory path of the IOU Image (IOU Image URL can be found on the web browser/server) > click OK.

 

Type a Name (L2 Image) > copy/paste the IOU L2 Image directory (/home/gns3/GNS3/images/IOU/i86bi-linux-l2-adventerprisek9-15.1a.bin) > leave default Type of L2 Image > click Finish > Apply > OK.

 

Click and drag the L2 Image switch icon > right-click > Start (or click Start green icon on top) > right-click again > choose Console.