# Building a Home Lab **URL:** https://forum.networklessons.com/c/general/building-home-lab/30.md [Latest](https://forum.networklessons.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://forum.networklessons.com/categories.md) --- ## [About the Building a Home Lab category](https://forum.networklessons.com/t/about-the-building-a-home-lab-category/36)
**Author:** [@ReneMolenaar](https://forum.networklessons.com/u/ReneMolenaar)\ **Replies:** 0\ **Last updated:** [December 13, 2016, 12:33pm UTC](https://forum.networklessons.com/t/about-the-building-a-home-lab-category/36 "2016-12-13T12:33:24Z")
Want to show your home lab? Have any questions about how to build a home lab? In this section of our forum, you can share your experiences about building your own lab. --- ## [What is the safest way to connect a homelab to the internet?](https://forum.networklessons.com/t/what-is-the-safest-way-to-connect-a-homelab-to-the-internet/58749)
**Author:** [@davidilles](https://forum.networklessons.com/u/davidilles)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [November 16, 2025, 12:24pm UTC](https://forum.networklessons.com/t/what-is-the-safest-way-to-connect-a-homelab-to-the-internet/58749 "2025-11-16T12:24:51Z")
Hello, everyone! I’m starting my CCNP Service Provider studies and I had to get a server (128GB RAM, 2X 28C CPU) for it because Cisco decided that an IOS XR node will be as big as one gaming PC and my current desktop ca… --- ## [Cisco Modeling Labs is Free](https://forum.networklessons.com/t/cisco-modeling-labs-is-free/58737)
**Author:** [@mx.linx76](https://forum.networklessons.com/u/mx.linx76)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [October 24, 2025, 2:07pm UTC](https://forum.networklessons.com/t/cisco-modeling-labs-is-free/58737 "2025-10-24T14:07:41Z")
Hi Everyone, FYI, Cisco modeling labs now have a free-tier. You just need to create a Cisco account and download the labs to get started if you are preparing for the CCNA exam. Please refer if you have any further ques… --- ## [GNS3 images](https://forum.networklessons.com/t/gns3-images/15730)
**Author:** [@rvasq10465](https://forum.networklessons.com/u/rvasq10465)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [October 24, 2025, 5:12am UTC](https://forum.networklessons.com/t/gns3-images/15730 "2025-10-24T05:12:51Z")
Hi i just set up GNS 3 and don’t know how to get images. I’m a member here and I thought I can use what the community is using. Can somebody help me? --- ## [How to save configurations on CML - desktops](https://forum.networklessons.com/t/how-to-save-configurations-on-cml-desktops/54356)
**Author:** [@tasaramahlahla](https://forum.networklessons.com/u/tasaramahlahla)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [January 3, 2025, 2:38pm UTC](https://forum.networklessons.com/t/how-to-save-configurations-on-cml-desktops/54356 "2025-01-03T14:38:32Z")
Hi Team, I hope everyone is doing well. I am trying to play around with free tier CML to follow Trunking on IOS Switch, but the challenge is when I stop the desktop device, all the configurations will disappear. To conf… --- ## [Policy Based Routing Configuration](https://forum.networklessons.com/t/policy-based-routing-configuration/54459)
**Author:** [@tasaramahlahla](https://forum.networklessons.com/u/tasaramahlahla)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [December 30, 2024, 7:55pm UTC](https://forum.networklessons.com/t/policy-based-routing-configuration/54459 "2024-12-30T19:55:18Z")
Hi Rene and Team, I do not regret investing in this platform, I am enjoying every topic because Rene, is making the complex simple. When I work in my lab, I imagine I am working for a client, so I ask myself a couple of… --- ## [Looking to understand Port-Groups on ESXi host](https://forum.networklessons.com/t/looking-to-understand-port-groups-on-esxi-host/54148)
**Author:** [@irvswirve1](https://forum.networklessons.com/u/irvswirve1)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [December 13, 2024, 7:57am UTC](https://forum.networklessons.com/t/looking-to-understand-port-groups-on-esxi-host/54148 "2024-12-13T07:57:20Z")
How many Port-Groups can be added to a vSwitch? The Physical port of the server and the physical port it connects to in the switch they both need to be trunk..Correct? As long as you have the port-groups (multiple VLANs)… --- ## [Hardware for Lab](https://forum.networklessons.com/t/hardware-for-lab/37438)
**Author:** [@Michael3](https://forum.networklessons.com/u/Michael3)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [June 19, 2023, 11:38am UTC](https://forum.networklessons.com/t/hardware-for-lab/37438 "2023-06-19T11:38:53Z")
Hello, I would like to get a hardware where I can lab/learn and test SD-WAN network along with CCIE and Juniper labs using EVE-NG virtualization. I cant decide whether to go with Intel NUC 13 Raptor CPU or buy used ref… --- ## [Netlab Emulator](https://forum.networklessons.com/t/netlab-emulator/47790)
**Author:** [@castrojuanj](https://forum.networklessons.com/u/castrojuanj)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [May 15, 2024, 11:20am UTC](https://forum.networklessons.com/t/netlab-emulator/47790 "2024-05-15T11:20:27Z")
Hello everyone, Have you ever tried Netlab ? (https://blog.ipspace.net/tag/netlab.html) i’ve listened a podcast on YT (packet pushers) and this seems to be pretty interesting. Despite is not a GUI emulator/topology bu… --- ## [Preconfigured VIRL\\GNS3 labs for ENCORE 350-401 course](https://forum.networklessons.com/t/preconfigured-virl-gns3-labs-for-encore-350-401-course/10001)
**Author:** [@walter.nakatana](https://forum.networklessons.com/u/walter.nakatana)\ **Replies:** 11\ **Last updated:** [August 12, 2023, 6:53am UTC](https://forum.networklessons.com/t/preconfigured-virl-gns3-labs-for-encore-350-401-course/10001 "2023-08-12T06:53:50Z")
HI, In the new CCNP Enterprise course, are there any preconfigured virl/gns3 labs? , or do we have to always build the topology and copy\\paste the initial configs? regards --- ## [Hands on labs](https://forum.networklessons.com/t/hands-on-labs/26762)
**Author:** [@tandonneeraj](https://forum.networklessons.com/u/tandonneeraj)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [March 24, 2023, 5:18am UTC](https://forum.networklessons.com/t/hands-on-labs/26762 "2023-03-24T05:18:02Z")
Hi, I have a background in SW development in Networking domain. I am looking to refresh concepts in Routing and Switching. To do that need some way to perform hands on lab. Is there any tool which I can use to set up s… --- ## [Obtaining Cisco software and images](https://forum.networklessons.com/t/obtaining-cisco-software-and-images/32746)
**Author:** [@hannes.1967.hiller](https://forum.networklessons.com/u/hannes.1967.hiller)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [December 6, 2022, 7:32am UTC](https://forum.networklessons.com/t/obtaining-cisco-software-and-images/32746 "2022-12-06T07:32:46Z")
Hi! I am a 55 years retired person, who want to play and learn networking. Something like a student. How can I get Cisco Software? I have a Cisco account, but can’t add software smart services. What would you recomm… --- ## [Home Lab and Hotel Internet](https://forum.networklessons.com/t/home-lab-and-hotel-internet/30861)
**Author:** [@ccnp.lab.00](https://forum.networklessons.com/u/ccnp.lab.00)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [November 30, 2022, 6:01am UTC](https://forum.networklessons.com/t/home-lab-and-hotel-internet/30861 "2022-11-30T06:01:05Z")
Hi everyone! I need a little bit of help. Here’s my situation: I travel a lot for work. I travel with a small server and small 8 port switch. My server has esxi 6.7 and a handful of vm’s with static ip addresses, one of … --- ## [Lab for practice](https://forum.networklessons.com/t/lab-for-practice/28665)
**Author:** [@nitin.28.arora](https://forum.networklessons.com/u/nitin.28.arora)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [July 26, 2022, 8:46am UTC](https://forum.networklessons.com/t/lab-for-practice/28665 "2022-07-26T08:46:37Z")
Hello Laz, I need to know that , i am in need to practice , can u suggest any good platform or lab where i can start ? GNS3 i downloaded but not user friendly… economical & good to start --- ## [GNS3 vs EVE-NG](https://forum.networklessons.com/t/gns3-vs-eve-ng/15015)
**Author:** [@Giovanni](https://forum.networklessons.com/u/Giovanni)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [August 7, 2021, 5:07am UTC](https://forum.networklessons.com/t/gns3-vs-eve-ng/15015 "2021-08-07T05:07:40Z")
Hi guys. Can you give me some feedback about this topic? Which software do you use? Why ? Thanks --- ## [Network Automation Practice (Labs)](https://forum.networklessons.com/t/network-automation-practice-labs/14878)
**Author:** [@adiaslino](https://forum.networklessons.com/u/adiaslino)\ **Replies:** 0\ **Last updated:** [July 13, 2021, 5:44am UTC](https://forum.networklessons.com/t/network-automation-practice-labs/14878 "2021-07-13T05:44:11Z")
Hello, I’d like a suggestion of a downloadable platform (or software) where i can practice RESTCONF, REST API and NETCONF. In case you don’t have something like this, could you give me a step-by-step to create this lab… --- ## [Cml (virl2.0)](https://forum.networklessons.com/t/cml-virl2-0/13363)
**Author:** [@sjlotan](https://forum.networklessons.com/u/sjlotan)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [January 20, 2021, 5:39am UTC](https://forum.networklessons.com/t/cml-virl2-0/13363 "2021-01-20T05:39:00Z")
Trying to add Palo Alto as an available node. Keep getting hung up on node definition. Does anyone have documentation for CML and this process (it is different than VIRL) --- ## [CML VIRL labs](https://forum.networklessons.com/t/cml-virl-labs/12821)
**Author:** [@sjlotan](https://forum.networklessons.com/u/sjlotan)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [November 18, 2020, 5:43am UTC](https://forum.networklessons.com/t/cml-virl-labs/12821 "2020-11-18T05:43:53Z")
Does anyone have any virl/cml pre-built labs/workbooks they can share or recommend where to purchase --- ## [Labs cisco CCNP ENCOR](https://forum.networklessons.com/t/labs-cisco-ccnp-encor/12412)
**Author:** [@sebegors](https://forum.networklessons.com/u/sebegors)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [October 3, 2020, 5:25am UTC](https://forum.networklessons.com/t/labs-cisco-ccnp-encor/12412 "2020-10-03T05:25:38Z")
Dear, We are very happy to be here. Your lessons are very interesting. Please, can we get some labs about the different topic about cisco CCNP ENCOR? Waiting your feedback, thank you. --- ## [EVE-NG -\> home lab and topologies](https://forum.networklessons.com/t/eve-ng-home-lab-and-topologies/7399)
**Author:** [@nasdroviaaa19](https://forum.networklessons.com/u/nasdroviaaa19)\ **Replies:** 8\ **Last updated:** [September 8, 2020, 5:44pm UTC](https://forum.networklessons.com/t/eve-ng-home-lab-and-topologies/7399 "2020-09-08T17:44:11Z")
Hi Community, Anyone using EVE-NG for your labs? If so, you guys sharing the topologies? Ho --- ## [Requesting a CCNP (350-401), (350-410), and CCIE (R&S) Home lab assistance and study guidelines](https://forum.networklessons.com/t/requesting-a-ccnp-350-401-350-410-and-ccie-r-s-home-lab-assistance-and-study-guidelines/10986)
**Author:** [@Eyad](https://forum.networklessons.com/u/Eyad)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [May 1, 2020, 3:24pm UTC](https://forum.networklessons.com/t/requesting-a-ccnp-350-401-350-410-and-ccie-r-s-home-lab-assistance-and-study-guidelines/10986 "2020-05-01T15:24:55Z")
Hi, I am a new to this community, and I am hoping to find a good guidelines to accomplish my goals. My goals are to pass the new CCNP (R&S) as well as the new CCIE (R&S) exams. What would be the recommended home lab f… --- ## [Automation](https://forum.networklessons.com/t/automation/9972)
**Author:** [@aquas19](https://forum.networklessons.com/u/aquas19)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [February 25, 2020, 5:28am UTC](https://forum.networklessons.com/t/automation/9972 "2020-02-25T05:28:02Z")
Hi Rene, i have a very basic question,i know from github we can get scripts,and they need to run on a linux based server to change the config on network kit.My point of confusion is, how does the linux box know to reach… --- ## [Set up for GNS3 Windows 7 64-bit](https://forum.networklessons.com/t/set-up-for-gns3-windows-7-64-bit/8835)
**Author:** [@byron.k.ross](https://forum.networklessons.com/u/byron.k.ross)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [November 26, 2019, 8:46am UTC](https://forum.networklessons.com/t/set-up-for-gns3-windows-7-64-bit/8835 "2019-11-26T08:46:32Z")
Anyone have to old Gns3vault video in which Renee explains how to set it up? --- ## [Laptop recommedation for service provider labs on gns3?](https://forum.networklessons.com/t/laptop-recommedation-for-service-provider-labs-on-gns3/5677)
**Author:** [@Sameer603](https://forum.networklessons.com/u/Sameer603)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [November 26, 2019, 8:31am UTC](https://forum.networklessons.com/t/laptop-recommedation-for-service-provider-labs-on-gns3/5677 "2019-11-26T08:31:26Z")
i am planning to buy laptop for gns3 labs for cisco service provider topics , at min 4 routers to be simulated at a time like ASR9K . And also for virtualization applications like vm ware any suggestions . My budget is… --- ## [Setup for GNS3](https://forum.networklessons.com/t/setup-for-gns3/8841)
**Author:** [@byron.k.ross](https://forum.networklessons.com/u/byron.k.ross)\ **Replies:** 0\ **Last updated:** [November 12, 2019, 10:06pm UTC](https://forum.networklessons.com/t/setup-for-gns3/8841 "2019-11-12T22:06:49Z")
Can someone help with the step by step process to setup GNS3 --- ## [GNS 3 on packet and file issue/please use only a filename in /opt/gns3/images/ios](https://forum.networklessons.com/t/gns-3-on-packet-and-file-issue-please-use-only-a-filename-in-opt-gns3-images-ios/7910)
**Author:** [@michaelby1](https://forum.networklessons.com/u/michaelby1)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [August 12, 2019, 7:57am UTC](https://forum.networklessons.com/t/gns-3-on-packet-and-file-issue-please-use-only-a-filename-in-opt-gns3-images-ios/7910 "2019-08-12T07:57:32Z")
Hi I have gns3 working fine on my laptop. The IOS are all genuine as I have cisco contract. I also have VIRL. I am setting up some Docker labs so I need more power so I am using PACKET.NET. but when I try to use a ge… --- ## [I am having difficulty uploading new IOS to Cisco 2901](https://forum.networklessons.com/t/i-am-having-difficulty-uploading-new-ios-to-cisco-2901/7653)
**Author:** [@advantiumx](https://forum.networklessons.com/u/advantiumx)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [July 15, 2019, 6:30am UTC](https://forum.networklessons.com/t/i-am-having-difficulty-uploading-new-ios-to-cisco-2901/7653 "2019-07-15T06:30:12Z")
The IOS that was shipped with of our Cisco 2901 was some how deleted. I got another IOS (c2900-universalk9-mz.SPA.157-3.M4a) but I am not able to upload. I tried XMODEM, but it was not transferred. I tried using a… --- ## [Packet Tracer](https://forum.networklessons.com/t/packet-tracer/6713)
**Author:** [@cervey1](https://forum.networklessons.com/u/cervey1)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [April 4, 2019, 2:33pm UTC](https://forum.networklessons.com/t/packet-tracer/6713 "2019-04-04T14:33:45Z")
I’m building a network with packet tracer. I would like to identify the hardware being used in some example networks and can’t get the show diag or show env ios commands to run. Are they not available on packet tracer? … --- ## [Cisco Router ASR901](https://forum.networklessons.com/t/cisco-router-asr901/6408)
**Author:** [@ridhwanbader](https://forum.networklessons.com/u/ridhwanbader)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [March 8, 2019, 9:51am UTC](https://forum.networklessons.com/t/cisco-router-asr901/6408 "2019-03-08T09:51:54Z")
hi what is main different between ASR901 and ASR903 Cisco Routers ? --- ## [Port-forwarding Cisco route 1941](https://forum.networklessons.com/t/port-forwarding-cisco-route-1941/6021)
**Author:** [@fchukwudi](https://forum.networklessons.com/u/fchukwudi)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [January 24, 2019, 4:50pm UTC](https://forum.networklessons.com/t/port-forwarding-cisco-route-1941/6021 "2019-01-24T16:50:39Z")
Dear All, Please help, I bought a Cisco router 1941 for home and for my lab, after configuring port-forwarding. I can access my home server form outside with my domain name( www.my domain.nl) but cannot access my home … [Next page](https://forum.networklessons.com/c/general/building-home-lab/30.md?page=1)