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GNS3 Fundamentals (Official Course) Part 1 (Udemy.com)

Learn how to install, configure and use GNS3. Interactive, practical GNS3 Training from David Bombal - Cisco, Python ++

Created by: David Bombal

Last updated January 2023

Our take

Based on the ratings of 1,041 students, a sample of their written reviews and the syllabus, as the course stood in January 2023. No course pays to be reviewed.

David Bombal's GNS3 course is for people who want to run Cisco routers and switches on their own computer instead of buying hardware. It starts with installing GNS3 on Windows and the GNS3 VM under VMware, VirtualBox or ESXi, then covers the interface, switching options and a block of CCNA campus labs. It runs about 22 hours across 224 lectures. The requirements say students need their own Cisco IOS images, and the course does not supply them.

Reviewers rate it highly, with 734 of 1,041 ratings at five stars and a 4.7 average. They like Bombal's clear, step by step teaching and the small practical tips, such as checking firewalls or restarting things when a lab misbehaves. Complaints are about age and padding. A recent reviewer wants the Python automation section moved to Python 3, says the cloud hosting videos cover providers that no longer exist, and points out some redundant videos. An older three star review called the opening slow and repetitive.

The last update was January 2023, so expect some drift in tools and menus. A good share of the runtime is side material: Frame Relay, Ostinato traffic generation, Cumulus VX, Docker and SDN talks. Skim what you don't need. For a CCNA home lab on Windows it still does the job, and about 8,900 students have taken it. Anyone who wants only current, focused labs may do better with something newer.

Best forAspiring CCNA candidates who want a home lab on Windows and can supply their own Cisco IOS images.
Skip it ifYou want a tightly focused, current lab guide, or have no way to get your own Cisco IOS images.

Pros

  • Bombal explains installs step by step, including firewall checks and restart fixes
  • Covers the GNS3 VM on VMware, VirtualBox and ESXi, plus a plain Windows install
  • A 28-lecture CCNA campus section, plus router on a stick, NAT and switching labs
  • Extras like Cumulus VX, Wireshark captures and Ostinato go past basic setup

Cons

  • Last updated January 2023, and the Python section still needs a move to Python 3
  • Some videos are dated, like cloud hosting providers that no longer exist
  • Needs your own Cisco IOS images, and the early lectures can feel slow and repetitive
David Bombal makes learning GNS3 so much easier. I've always wanted to get hands-on with CCNA labs, and his clear explanations and real-world tips really helped me get GNS3 up and running without the usual headaches.
Anonymized User, a student

Beginner level. Suits people new to GNS3 who are preparing for the CCNA and can bring their own Cisco IOS images.

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What you will learn

  • Run Cisco IOS images on your laptop!
  • Prepare for CCNA lab simulations
  • Download, install and configure GNS3 on a Windows PC
  • Use Cumulus VX with GNS3
  • Use GNS3 Virtual machines for VirtualBox, VMware Workstation and ESXi

Course content

45 sections · 224 lectures · 22 hours of video

  1. 1Welcome 2 free previews3 lectures · 7 min
  2. 2GNS3 Install 1 free preview3 lectures · 57 min
  3. 3GNS3 Overview2 lectures · 2 min
  4. 4GNS3 Hardware requirements1 lecture · 1 min
  5. 5Emulated versus Simulated devices1 lecture · 1 min
  6. 6IOS Image selection1 lecture · 3 min
  7. 7Network Operating Systems 1 free preview2 lectures · 16 min
  8. 8Downloading VIRL images1 lecture · 10 min
  9. 9GNS3 2.0 Architecture2 lectures · 15 min
  10. 10Version 2.0 updates11 lectures · 1.2 hours

Who it is for

The instructor says it suits

  • Anyone preparing for the CCNA exam
  • Anyone wanting to learn more about GNS3

What you need before you start

  • You need your own Cisco IOS for this course

How it compares

Against the other 523 rated Udemy courses in Hacking on CourseDuck:

  • Rating4.7 out of 5higher than 85% of them
  • Reviews1,041#187 of 524 by number of reviews
  • Length22.2 hourslonger than 90% of them
  • Last updatedJanuary 2023earlier than 69% of them

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Course Description

The Official GNS3 Fundamentals Course: Created with the GNS3 Developers!

MAJOR UPDATE: GNS3 have released version 2.0. I have now added a lot of content about GNS3 2.0 to the course.

If you have not used GNS3 before, then this course is for you! Learn how to download, install and configure GNS3 on a Windows PC. 

Learn the basics (and some advanced topics) of GNS3 including:

> Understand why you would use GNS3 and the differences between emulating and simulating network devices

> Getting started with the software from soup to nuts including: IOS selection, hardware requirement, switching support, install of the new GNS3 VM with VMware & ESXi, getting familiar with the GUI and icons and more!

> Get Access to some amazing FREE tools that complement and work well with GNS3 including Solarwinds Response Time Viewer which helps to quickly analyze Wireshark packet capture files to troubleshoot performance issues.

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Instructor Details

David Bombal

David Bombal (CCIE  #11023 Emeritus) passed his Cisco Certified Internetwork Expert Routing and Switching exam in January 2003 and is one of a small percentage of Cisco Engineers that pass their CCIE labs on their first attempt. 

David qualified as a  Cisco Certified Systems Instructor (CCSI #22787) many years ago! He has been training Cisco  courses for over 20 years and has delivered instructor led courses in various  countries around the world covering a wide range of Cisco topics from CCNA to  CCIE. 

David is very active on social media and has over 2 million YouTube subscribers and has posted over 1,000 free videos.

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Reviews

4.7

1,041 ratings on Udemy

Select a bar to show only those reviews.Select the bar again to show every rating.

By Anonymized User on 10/23/2025

David Bombal makes learning GNS3 so much easier. I've always wanted to get hands-on with CCNA labs, and his clear explanations and real-world tips really helped me get GNS3 up and running without the usual headaches. I like how he walks through each step and even covers the little things like restarting or checking firewalls. Everything just clicks. Thx David, this really bossted my confidence.

By Ricardo on 9/25/2025

The course is very good overall. I think it needs to be updated, especially the automation section, to Python version 3. It would also be a good idea to remove videos like those on GNS3 cloud hosting, as some providers of this service no longer exist. And there are some redundant videos as well. But the course is very good. Excellent teacher. I recommend it. Best regards. I wish you health and peace.

By Philip Gloor on 7/26/2020

So far it's been a good match. I have used the videos in a couple of ways: viewing them in sequence, which helps give me a high-level view of the capabilities of gns3, and viewing single lessons, not necessarily in sequence, to address specific questions that have arisen in my personal projects.

By Ian Kreisz on 6/19/2020

As usual; David clearly known his stuff and he covers every topic a network engineer should know (Networking, Design, Linux, Automation, etc.). Fantastic course, thank you so much David for your hard work. I think I speak on behalf of the community when I say we all really appreciate the effort you put into each of your courses!!!

By Anonymized User on 1/31/2019

Is a great course for those who are beginners and network engineers, it covers a lot of aspects regarding managing and administering both simple and complex network topologies, even covers the help of programming to assist you when it's needed. It's a must if you want to follow a network technician/engineer career.

By Anthony Winston on 7/2/2018

I was motivated to take this course as I was using the instructor's videos on YouTube. I really enjoyed his approach to teaching this subject and wanted to get the material in a structured format. I also did not mind paying for this content because of the instructor's methodology.

By M Mehdikhani on 6/8/2018

I feel like a lot of efforts has been put in to create, edit and compose the many pieces of these training videos. David opens up each presentation with great audio and video animations. He is very concise and clear to the point and keeps you interested and engaged. He really has laid out a great road map to GNS3 with reference to its architecture and available simulation options and where to go to look for more info. Looking forward to the remainder of the training videos.

By Anonymized User on 1/18/2018

Would like to have master list of everything that is going to be covered at the start of the course vs adding things as I go. It delays training and breaks the rhythm of the thought process. The intro and trail graphics are a little long and take up a lot of excess time so I fast forward through them. Maybe have them at the beginning of each module vs ever single lesson. Don't get me wrong, I like the course and look forward to completing it...thanks, Mike

By Okemo Hodge on 3/22/2017

Good job Instructor Bombal. My learning was reinforced from the previous courses that I had taken. I have no complaints, but only complements. If the student can't afford expensive Cisco equipment, then this is the PERFECT course for such a student. Everything was nicely explained and in great details. Good Job!

By Kenny Raby on 5/20/2016

Halfway through mark and it is a bit better but still needs improvement. 1. Starts of really slow with the "why you should use GNS3" propaganda which should be removed 2. Tells you how to troubleshoot before even installing so you don't really know what is going on at that time. Let's troubleshoot after installing if having problems 3. Very repetitive, even with obvious things. How many times do you really need to say "open project opens a project file" Finally got around to doing VMs although I wish it had mentioned having to install the VMWare APIs if using VMWare player this hung me up for a while but finally go through it.

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Overall Score : 94 / 100