CSR1000v and GNS3, best thing?

Really quick post today about integrating the CSR1000v into GNS3. First up! Why would you want to do this?

1.  Latest greatest IOS
2.  Feature packed (supports VXLAN, OTV, MPLS, VPLS, and a ton more)
3. What do you want from me? Those first two should be enough.

Video at the bottom for those too impatient to read (like me). First thing you’re going to need, a fresh ISO of the CSR1000v, available from cisco.com. I’m using “csr1000v-universalk9.03.14.01.S.155-1.S1-std.iso”, but depending when you read this your mileage my vary. After you have that, I think it goes without saying that you’ll need GNS3 installed, and VirtualBox.

VirtualBox
In virtualbox, create a new VM. Set the OS type to Linux and version to Other Linux (64-bit). Give it at least 2.5 GB of ram (2560 MB), but if you can spare it 4GB is better. All default values after that are totally fine, you won’t need more than the standard 8GB hard drive.

Now open the settings for your new CSR virtual machine, on Serial Ports check port one’s “Enable Serial Port”. You leave it disconnected, GNS3 will handle the host pipe end (if that doesn’t make sense to you, then just know that GNS3 will do some magic and you’ll have a working console port).

Finally add some additional network adapters to your new VM by clicking on “edit” and going to “Network”. I run mine with 5 nics each. That’s it! You’re all set, final note is linked base guests can only be run in saved projects. That means you have to create a new project (can’t just use a temporary work space) to add your VMs. No big deal really, but if you forget GNS3 will give you a friendly little error/reminder.