better software than Cisco Packet tracer (free)

[ciscocertified]

hey guys

wanted to know if anyone knew of a better software out there than cisco packet tracer

busy with my CCNP and wanted to try something a bit diffrent a bit better ?

any ideas i would appreciate it

take care

 

[ponder]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Network_simulation Some names in there and also look at 'See also' links.

 

[paulcolmer]

Solarwinds have plenty tools and offer free trials on most. some are even free !

 

[Rishalin]

Try GNS3 works for me

 

[ciscocertified]

yeah but gns3 isint free

 

[koeksGHT]

Out of all the ones I tried I think the Cisco packet tracer is the easiest and best. Although gns is not bad

 

[syntax]

yeah but gns3 isint free

it was free, and a quick search shows u can still download it for free

 

[srothman]

yeah but gns3 isint free

yes it is.

 

[Tinuva]

I prefer the IOU (IOS on Unix) emulator. Works super fast on even older pcs. There is both a Router and Switch emulator image. While it won't give you the limitations of real devices, all the features are testable. For example I've set up test MPLS routing between them and created a few MPLS-TE tunnels for fun to see how they work.

If you can't find a copy, I can upload a VirtualBox image for you somewhere. It is about 450mbyte for the hdd image.

 

[srothman]

I really like IOU VERY much, but the problem is that it is proprietary, and not for commercial use or free distribution. I would still rather recommend GNS3, and once the dile PC values are properly set up it runs very well.

 

[deepdiver]

GNS3 is just a GUI for dynamips which is opensource.
Use it it is the best.
The cisco images are not though you need to get those from somewhere, although that shouldn't be too hard.