GNS3 + Cisco IOSv on Windows – Free Setup Guide

By Fathalla Ramadan
February 2026 | Alexandria, Egypt

If you’ve outgrown Cisco Packet Tracer and want to practice real Cisco IOS commands, BGP multi-homing, VXLAN, or enterprise routing—you need GNS3.

But if you’re on Windows (especially with non-English settings), setting up GNS3 with free Cisco IOS images can feel overwhelming.

I’ve been there. In my 30+ years managing networks across Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Europe, and Asia, I’ve helped hundreds of students—from Cairo to Manila—set up professional-grade labs on modest laptops.

Here’s a step-by-step, free, and legal guide to get GNS3 + Cisco IOSv running on Windows—no expensive gear, no piracy, no guesswork.

✅ What You’ll Get

A working GNS3 environment with real Cisco IOSv images
Ability to simulate OSPF, EIGRP, BGP, NAT, VXLAN, and more
Full compatibility with CCNA, CCNP, and real-world scenarios
All using free, legally obtained tools

💡 Note: This setup uses Cisco’s official free IOSv images from Cisco DevNet—100% legal and safe.

🛠️ What You’ll Need

Windows 10/11 (64-bit recommended)
8 GB RAM (minimum), SSD preferred
Stable internet connection
Free accounts:
- Cisco DevNet
- GNS3.com

🔧 Step 1: Install GNS3

Go to gns3.com/download
Download GNS3 All-in-One Installer for Windows
Run installer as Administrator
Accept all defaults (includes Wireshark, QEMU, etc.)
Launch GNS3 after install

⚠️ Disable antivirus temporarily if it blocks virtualization components.

☁️ Step 2: Get Free Cisco IOSv Image from DevNet

Go to Cisco DevNet Sandbox
Log in (create free account if needed)
Search for “IOSv” or go to:
Learning Labs → Routing & Switching → IOSv
Download the IOSv 15.9+ image (file: virtioa.qcow2)
→ This is a free, lightweight virtual router image for education

✅ Legal & Safe: This is Cisco’s official educational image—no license required.

⚙️ Step 3: Add IOSv to GNS3

Open GNS3
Go to Edit → Preferences → QEMU → QEMU VMs → New
Name: Cisco IOSv
Set:
- RAM: 512 MB
- Console type: Telnet
- Disk image: Select the virtioa.qcow2 file you downloaded
Click Finish

💡 Tip: If GNS3 asks for a “HDA disk,” skip it—IOSv runs from the single image.

🌐 Step 4: Create Your First Topology

Drag “Cisco IOSv” from the left panel to the workspace
Add a Cloud (for internet access) or another IOSv router
Connect with Ethernet link
Right-click router → Start
Double-click → Console opens automatically

You’ll see the Cisco IOS prompt:

1  Router>

Now you’re running real Cisco code—not simulation.

🔒 Step 5: Basic Configuration (Test It!)

In the console:

enable
configure terminal
hostname R1
interface GigabitEthernet0/0
ip address 192.168.1.1 255.255.255.0
no shutdown
exit
end
write memory

Then ping another device or use show ip interface brief to verify.

✅ Success! You’ve just configured a real Cisco router—on your laptop.

💡 Pro Tips for Global Learners

Performance: Close unused apps. GNS3 uses significant RAM.
Non-English Windows? Follow the same system locale fix as in our Packet Tracer guide.
Need more devices? DevNet also offers CSR1000v (for advanced labs)—requires free reservation.
Save projects: GNS3 saves .gns3 files—back them up!

📚 Next Steps: Try These Labs

Now that GNS3 works, practice:

Lab 14.1: BGP Multi-Homing (simulate two ISPs)
Lab 25.1: VXLAN Overlay Network
Lab 26.1: Automate backups with Python + Netmiko

All available in my IP Routing and Switching Lab Handout Book—used by learners in 30+ countries.

💬 Final Thought

You don’t need a data center to master enterprise networking.
You just need the right tools—and the will to build.

This setup has trained engineers in Riyadh, Berlin, Jakarta, and beyond.
Now it’s your turn.

—
Fathalla Ramadan
Network Architect | Educator | Author
Alexandria, Egypt
30+ years building networks across the Middle East, Europe, and Asia

Tagged gns3

GNS3 + Cisco IOSv on Windows: Free Setup for Global Learners