Network Virtual Lab for Classroom

[ApolloTheMighty1]

I'm trying to build a virtual Network lab simulator setup for a classroom setting. Thinking about using a big ol 32GB RAM/i9 CPU server with GNS3 on it and just have like 10 laptops for the students to connect to it. However, a couple of things are required: the setup needs to be completely mobile, remote capability from anywhere in the world, each student laptop GNS3 session is completely separate from one another so they won't interfere with each other's work, not looking to spend more than $30,000.

 

I'd like to know your ideas how this can be accomplished.

[Windows7ge]

I'll be first to admit I don't know how resource heavy GNS3 is but I'm betting going strait for Core i9 would be beyond overkill for 10 or 20 connected clients.

 

Depending on who's pocket this money is coming out of I'd look into used servers on eBay. For the number of clients a quad-core would do fine but if GNS3 needs some horses you could look into LGA2011-3. The Xeon lineup is beautiful and cheap with used parts. Pick out an 8 or 12 core in a tower or even 2U chassis. Depending on what you consider portable they're movable. Just avoid mechanical storage if it's going to get bumped around a lot.

[ApolloTheMighty1]

6 minutes ago, Windows7ge said:

I'll be first to admit I don't know how resource heavy GNS3 is but I'm betting going strait for Core i9 would be beyond overkill for 10 or 20 connected clients.

 

Depending on who's pocket this money is coming out of I'd look into used servers on eBay. For the number of clients a quad-core would do fine but if GNS3 needs some horses you could look into LGA2011-3. The Xeon lineup is beautiful and cheap with used parts. Pick out an 8 or 12 core in a tower or even 2U chassis. Depending on what you consider portable they're movable. Just avoid mechanical storage if it's going to get bumped around a lot.

So...if each laptop had like 20+ switches and routers running on GNS3 all at once on the server...would it still be able to handle the load and not bogg down enough to still be functional?

 

Also, someone just recommended "EVE-NG" to me. Maybe going that route would be better? What y'all think?

[leadeater]

5 minutes ago, ApolloTheMighty1 said:

Also, someone just recommended "EVE-NG" to me. Maybe going that route would be better? What y'all think?

https://www.cbtnuggets.com/blog/career/career-progression/5-best-network-simulators-for-cisco-exams-ccna-ccnp-and-ccie

[Windows7ge]

4 minutes ago, ApolloTheMighty1 said:

So...if each laptop had like 20+ switches and routers running on GNS3 all at once on the server...would it still be able to handle the load and not bogg down enough to still be functional?

I've never used this software before. I'd have to test what load a single user would put on the server but generally when dealing with multiple clients even with demanding applications more cores is generally more important than faster cores. Of course with Core i9 you could have both but at a steep cost and quite franking I don't think it'd be necessary but let's wait for some other options.