GNS3: How-to save multiple topology configurations for good

GNS3 is an extremely useful tool if you are using Dynamips to emulate Cisco devices. It is a graphical environment in which even a newbie can do complex configuration by clicking and dragging routers, switches, connections into a topology that can be saved.

The problem that occurred to me in the past (and maybe to you also) is the following. Let’s assume that we create a configuration with routers named R0 and R1 and you save the topology config and also the routers config (“copy run start”). All the files (GNS3 topology config and Dynamips files created for R0 / R1 saved config) will be put into the default GNS3 project directory (e.g. /tmp in Linux or other directory if you are using Windows system). For now it is perfect. You have everything fine.

Next time when you start a topology, by default GNS3 will start with the same routers R0 and R1, and we you boot them, they will load your ex-saved config files, because GNS3 will look for config files into it’s default project directory, and since the name of the routers are the same, it will think that this have to be loaded. So, what you will do when you have 10 topologies that you save. Give all the time different routers name? Even so you will end with a mess in your default GNS3 project directory.

I have a solution for this issue, that you might like. I’m not saying that I have discovered this solution…for sure there is somewhere out there on the Internet, but I think of it by my own and I said that maybe others will use it.

This how-to assume that you know what Dynamips, GNS3 and Linux (any distribution) are. The same steps can be applied on Windows system also. Please check the tutorial by clicking the image below:
*Note:  As the file is flash and it’s quite big please have patience until it is loaded*

GNS3 topology config save

Published by

Calin

Calin is a network engineer, with more than 20 years of experience in designing, installing, troubleshooting, and maintaining large enterprise WAN and LAN networks.

4 thoughts on “GNS3: How-to save multiple topology configurations for good”

  1. well there’s another way to do it ..

    file -> new project -> name ->yes ->bingo

    this is how i save the configs …

    regards
    rakesh

  2. Hello Rakesh and thanks for commenting this tutorial.
    What you said is correct regarding the GNS3 project config file (.net file), but the tutorial is how to save the GNS3 config file and the routers / switches configs in a related connection. By using the advices in this tutorial you avoid overwriting the devices configs.

  3. i agree .. a good one .. just a thought as some one would visit and make a mental not of the work

    keep up the good work

    regards
    rakesh

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