This article explains how to install VMware workstation and GNS3 with step-by-step instructions to create multi-vendor and network automation labs.
- Disable Microsoft Hyper-V
- VMware Workstation (free)
- GNS3 virtual machine
- GNS3 desktop application
- Automation node
Enable hardware virtualization
Enable CPU virtualization in BIOS. This is typically enabled on newer computers.
Disable Microsoft Hyper-V
VMware workstation and Microsoft Hyper-V are not compatible on Windows Home Edition or Windows Pro. You will get nested virtualization error message when starting GNS3 VM with VMware. This lab setup works with Windows 11 and VMware Workstation when Hyper-V is disabled. There is only partial support for Hyper-V included with Windows Home edition. This makes it easier than Windows Pro to disable Hyper-V and allow nested virtualization required with GNS3.
Hyper-V is a Type 1 hypervisor that exclusively manages all hardware virtualization and prevents CML from using nested virtualization with VMware. The same problem will occur when using CML with VMware. This automation lab setup was tested with VMware Workstation 17.5 installed on Windows 11 Home and Pro. There are separate instructions included for both operating systems.
Disable Hyper-V (Windows Home Edition)
There is only partial support for Hyper-V included with Windows Home Edition. This makes it easier to disable Hyper-V and allow nested virtualization required with CML.
Start Windows PowerShell as Administrator and type the following command to disable Hyper-V launch from Windows. Hint: If you don’t know how to start Windows PowerShell as Administrator ask ChatGPT.
bcdedit /set hypervisorlaunchtype off
Uncheck the following features to disable Hyper-V components in Control Panel and then restart your computer:
Control Panel -> Select Programs -> Select Turn Windows Features on or off
1. Uncheck Virtual Machine Platform
2. Uncheck Windows Hypervisor Platform
3. Uncheck Windows Subsystem For Linux
Memory Integrity Setting:
Type core isolation in Windows search bar, select core isolation, and turn Memory Integrity setting OFF. You will have to restart your computer then continue with lab setup.
Disable Hyper-V (Windows Pro)
This article explains how to fully disable Hyper-V on a machine with Windows Pro. Hyper-V is fully supported with Windows Pro and this makes it more complex to disable all Hyper-V components. ChatGPT can provide instructions on how to reinstall Hyper-V software at a later date when VMware is uninstalled.
Install VMware Workstation
Download, extract, and install VMware Workstation free edition from your downloads directory with the default settings.
Go to support.broadcom.com and log in (or register a free account with valid email)
In the top-right corner, select “Support Portal”, then:
Choose the VMware Cloud Foundation division.
Click My Downloads.
Search for “Workstation Pro”.
Click on the product and choose the “Personal Use” (same binaries).
Be sure to check the “I agree to the Terms and Conditions” box – it unlocks the download
Choose the latest version (e.g., Workstation Pro 17.5.2+ or newer) .
Download and install:
On launch, select “Personal Use” if prompted — no license key needed.
Install GNS3 virtual machine
Step 1: Download GNS3 VM for VMware workstation.
Step 2: Extract GNS3 VM zip file from your downloads directory.
Step 3: Go to extract folder, right-click on GNS VM and select Open with VMware.
Step 4: Assign name GNS3 VM to virtual machine
Step 5: Edit GNS3 VM Settings:
Memory: 4 GB
Number of processors: 1
Number of cores per processor: 2
Network adapter: NAT
Step 6: Click Import. (Do Not Start VM)
Install GNS3 desktop application
Download GNS3 desktop application and select GNS3 VM component from the install list. Select or deselect any other options and continue with install.
- Choose Components: select GNS3 VM
- GNS3 VM Type: VMware Workstation
- Select Install
- Select run appliances in a virtual machine
- Select default location etc
- Select VMware
- Select default settings and Finish
VMware will start and GNS3 will connect to server.
Install automation control node (optional)
There is a network automation appliance you can import into GNS3 for new and existing labs. Automation Node is a Ubuntu-based full automation appliance with common tools such as Python3, Ansible, Netmiko, Napalm, and OpenSSH server. There are also Ansible playbooks and Python scripts included for testing. Install instructions are available with this article