Software Alternatives, Accelerators & Startups

GNS3 VS ns-3

Compare GNS3 VS ns-3 and see what are their differences

GNS3 logo GNS3

GNS3 is a graphical network simulator that allows simulation of complex networks.

ns-3 logo ns-3

a discrete-event network simulator for internet systems
  • GNS3 Landing page
    Landing page //
    2023-10-06
  • ns-3 Landing page
    Landing page //
    2020-02-14

GNS3 features and specs

  • Realistic Network Simulation
    GNS3 provides a highly realistic environment for simulating complex networks, allowing users to design and test their network setups with real-world accuracy.
  • Wide Device Support
    It supports a wide range of network devices and software, including Cisco routers, switches, firewalls, and virtual machines, enabling diverse network topologies.
  • Free and Open-Source
    GNS3 is freely available and open-source, making it accessible to anyone without requiring a commercial license or subscription.
  • Community Support
    There is a large and active community of GNS3 users who provide support, share resources, and contribute to its development.
  • Extensive Learning Resources
    GNS3 has a vast array of tutorials, documentation, and guides that help users of all skill levels learn how to effectively use the tool.

Possible disadvantages of GNS3

  • Resource Intensive
    GNS3 can be very demanding on system resources, requiring significant CPU and memory, which may be challenging for users with lower-end hardware.
  • Steep Learning Curve
    For beginners, GNS3 can present a steep learning curve due to its complexity and the detailed knowledge required to effectively set up and manage network simulations.
  • Limited by Hardware Performance
    The performance and scale of simulations can be limited by the hardware of the host system, affecting the ability to run large or complex network topologies.
  • Initial Configuration Complexity
    The initial setup and configuration of GNS3, including the integration of virtual devices and images, can be complex and time-consuming.
  • Occasional Stability Issues
    Users may encounter stability issues or bugs, especially when integrating a variety of virtual devices and software versions, which can disrupt simulation activities.

ns-3 features and specs

  • Open Source
    ns-3 is an open-source network simulator, which means it is freely available for use, modification, and distribution. This allows researchers and developers to customize the simulator to meet their specific requirements.
  • Realistic Simulation
    ns-3 provides highly detailed and accurate network models, making it suitable for simulating complex networking scenarios and protocols with realistic behavior.
  • Active Community
    The ns-3 community is active and provides a wealth of resources, including documentation, tutorials, and forums. This can be helpful for troubleshooting issues and staying updated with the latest advancements.
  • Wide Range of Protocols
    ns-3 supports a broad range of network protocols and technologies, enabling users to simulate diverse network environments and study the interactions between various protocol layers.

Possible disadvantages of ns-3

  • Steep Learning Curve
    Due to its complexity and detailed models, ns-3 can be difficult to learn for beginners, requiring a solid understanding of both the simulation environment and networking principles.
  • High Resource Usage
    Simulating large and complex networks with ns-3 can be resource-intensive, demanding significant computational power and memory, which may be a limitation for some users.
  • C++ Complexity
    ns-3 is primarily implemented in C++, which can be challenging for users who are not familiar with the language or its intricacies, leading to potential difficulties in writing and debugging simulation scripts.
  • Limited Visualization Tools
    While ns-3 provides a fundamental graphics interface, its visualization capabilities are not as robust as some other network simulators, which may hinder users who need comprehensive visual insights into their network simulations.

GNS3 videos

CCNA Labs - Packet Tracer or GNS3?

More videos:

  • Review - Packet Tracer vs GNS3 vs VIRL vs Physical Equipment (Part 1). Which is best?
  • Review - GNS3 2.1.3 Basic Full Setup Guide For Beginners (2018) Start To Finish

ns-3 videos

No ns-3 videos yet. You could help us improve this page by suggesting one.

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Category Popularity

0-100% (relative to GNS3 and ns-3)
Technical Computing
48 48%
52% 52
Simulation Software
47 47%
53% 53
Tool
47 47%
53% 53
Numerical Computation
50 50%
50% 50

User comments

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Social recommendations and mentions

Based on our record, GNS3 seems to be more popular. It has been mentiond 12 times since March 2021. We are tracking product recommendations and mentions on various public social media platforms and blogs. They can help you identify which product is more popular and what people think of it.

GNS3 mentions (12)

  • Bug Bounty Hunting 101: An Introduction for Beginners
    Practice: Set up simple networking labs using tools like Cisco Packet Tracer or GNS3. - Source: dev.to / 7 months ago
  • Where do I go from here?
    If you mean a Cisco 2950, I guess you want to learn Networking. So a good place to start is to run GNS3 (https://gns3.com). You can download a VM image and run that, that's what I do. GNS3 is a great learning tool and you can use both real (your 2950) and virtual devices to make networks. Source: about 1 year ago
  • Exploiting Wpa3
    GNS3 is the software your looking for it can be found here https://gns3.com let me know if you could use some resources on it. Source: over 1 year ago
  • What skills are great to learn in a home lab for a beginner in IT ?
    GNS3 is a network device emulator, and more than a few devices requires lots of CPU and RAM resources. You need to pay for a licence for each device you want to emulate. Source: almost 2 years ago
  • How to escape from Helpdesk hell ?
    Allow me to introduce you to https://gns3.com/. Source: almost 2 years ago
View more

ns-3 mentions (0)

We have not tracked any mentions of ns-3 yet. Tracking of ns-3 recommendations started around Mar 2021.

What are some alternatives?

When comparing GNS3 and ns-3, you can also consider the following products

Cisco Packet Tracer - Download Cisco Packet Tracer, an innovative network simulation and visualization tool used by Cisco Networking Academy students and instructors.

Paessler Multi Server Simulator - Paessler Multi Server Simulator is inexpensive and robust software that helps you power massive-scale testing.

NetSim - NetSim software was created to simulate various Cisco systems. Cisco software is known around the world as being one of the best network, routing and switch systems for businesses and private use. Read more about NetSim.

Mininet - Mininet is a robust and inexpensive Instant Virtual Network designed to function on standard PCs like Laptops and Desktops.

FlexSim - Simulation software to model, simulate, predict, and visualize systems in manufacturing, material handling, healthcare, warehousing, mining, etc.

Free SNMP Agent Simulator - Verax Systems provides applications covering the entire IT & Telco service lifecycle from definition through provisioning and monitoring up to billing.