topic RE: How can I use EXOS ISO Files in VMWARE ESXI as a lab. I do not like GNS 3. GNS3 is a pain in the you know what. in ExtremeSwitching (EXOS/Switch Engine)

How can I use EXOS ISO Files in VMWARE ESXI as a lab. I do not like GNS 3. GNS3 is a pain in the you know what.

nola_saint — Sun, 15 Jul 2018 00:53:00 GMT

How can I use EXOS ISO Files in VMWARE ESXI as a lab. I do not like GNS 3. GNS3 is a pain in but you know what. I'm trying to figure out how to setup a lab environment with just exos iso files running in VMWARE ESXI. I would like to be able to see how VLAN routing and tagging works and other configurations work. I have a stand alone vmware server and I have installed a couple of exos iso images and they run and I can configure them so I know the commands. But I know I would like make things happen.

RE: How can I use EXOS ISO Files in VMWARE ESXI as a lab. I do not like GNS 3. GNS3 is a pain in the you know what.

StephanH — Sun, 15 Jul 2018 15:40:00 GMT

Hello Nola,

see this link for more informations.

https://github.com/extremenetworks/Virtual_EXOS

There is a word document for the EXOS installation on VMWare.

In addition here is a good video for installation on VirtualBox:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gSRuT_0akIQ&feature=youtu.be

Best regards
Stephan

RE: How can I use EXOS ISO Files in VMWARE ESXI as a lab. I do not like GNS 3. GNS3 is a pain in the you know what.

nola_saint — Sun, 15 Jul 2018 20:05:00 GMT

Thank you, I tried both of these.

This link https://github.com/extremenetworks/Virtual_EXOS I learned about GNS3 and VMWRE ESXI. It works but it a pain in the butt to setup and it very buggy. My configuration work one day and the next they did not. Frustrating when you are new to extreme equipment and new to networking. It makes you doubt yourself. You think you understand because you got to work one day and then the next day it does not. I still have GNS3 on VMWARE setup but it’s frustrating to work with.

This link https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gSRuT_0akIQ&feature=youtu.be I used and still have it up and running. I use it just to learn what commands it has but other than that can’t find any other uses.

That is why I posted the question. I find the youtube video very interesting but how to you setup a lab that can test VLAN routing, LAN connectivity, WAN connectivity. With the you tube video your PC that the vitural box software is installed on, only has one NIC card so how can you hook up other devices on the virtual switch. I’m trying to avoid buying physical equipment off of ebay. If that is what I have to do for a lab any e-bay suggestions.

RE: How can I use EXOS ISO Files in VMWARE ESXI as a lab. I do not like GNS 3. GNS3 is a pain in the you know what.

StephanH — Mon, 16 Jul 2018 00:03:00 GMT

Hello Nola,

I only have practical experience with GNS3 and for me it works fine. But I use it only for basic setup and testing especially with different vendors.

It's not easy to setup but there are a lot of documents concerning GNS3 (not only on GitHub).

Best regards
Stephan

RE: How can I use EXOS ISO Files in VMWARE ESXI as a lab. I do not like GNS 3. GNS3 is a pain in the you know what.

StephenW — Mon, 16 Jul 2018 17:30:00 GMT

Did you go through this guide below?

https://github.com/extremenetworks/Virtual_EXOS/blob/master/Install_Guide_EXOS-VM-VirtualBox.docx?ra...

I have been setting up EXOS VM for many years. My best experience has been with GNS3. Getting it to work can be a pain but using the GNS3-VM and host setup is the best experience i have had. The trick i found was to use VMware Workstation paid version for the GNS3-VM

RE: How can I use EXOS ISO Files in VMWARE ESXI as a lab. I do not like GNS 3. GNS3 is a pain in the you know what.

nola_saint — Sun, 22 Jul 2018 16:40:00 GMT

I have used this but how would you connect servers or workstations to it to test VLAN routing.

RE: How can I use EXOS ISO Files in VMWARE ESXI as a lab. I do not like GNS 3. GNS3 is a pain in the you know what.

Scott_Singer1 — Thu, 30 Apr 2020 23:50:00 GMT

Hi Nola,

Hopefully better late than never.

I prefer VMWare as well. I can run the XOS VMs next to XMC, Control, Analytics, XCA, VGVA, ExtremeNAC, a Window Server, etc.. I’m no expert, but I’ve used the attached steps with VMWare Workstation and ESXi successfully. These steps work for the newer, G2-oriented XOS, 30.X and above. I’ll leave it to the experts to tell me if I should do something different.

Regards, Scott