In this entry-level networking skills training, Keith Barker and Anthony Sequeira show you how to build a practice lab using VIRL, GNS3, and Wireshark.
Practice labs come in all shapes and sizes — and serve many purposes. They can be used to study for exams like the CCNA or CCNP, or used as a sandbox environment to test out a big migration. In either case, this Building a Practice Lab training will teach you how to emulate various network environments using Cisco VIRL, Wireshark, and GNS3.
This networking skill isn't mapped to any particular certification exam. Instead, knowing how to build a practice lab is foundational to your success as a networking professional and the skills you learn in this training will crossover across many certifications — and real-world applications.
Once you're done with this networking training, you'll know how to install VIRL in VMware on both macOS and Windows, create pre-configured emulations in VIRL with AutoNetkit, and use VIRL to communicate with devices in external networks. You’ll also be able to use the Wireshark and GNS3 course to setup a practice environment.
For anyone who leads a technology team, this networking training can be used to onboard new network administrators, curated into individual or team training plans, or as a networking reference resource.
Building a Practice Lab: What You Need to Know
This Building a Practice Lab training covers network infrastructure and simulation topics including:
- Establishing and configuring simulation network environments
- Emulating networks with Cisco Virtual Internet Routing Lab (VIRL), Wireshark & GNS3
- Mastering VIRL and connecting to real equipment
- Navigating emulated environments, using visualizations and capturing packets
- Understanding and manipulating IPv4 resources and protocols
- Using IPv6 tools and protocols
- Deploying Wireshark in emulation
Who Should Take Building a Practice Lab Training?
This Building a Practice Lab training is based on administrator-level networking training, which means it was designed primarily for new network administrators. However, this lab training may also be useful for experienced network administrators looking for a refresher.
New or aspiring network administrators. If you’re a new network administrator, with this training you’ll be able to emulate various network environments. If you ever need to create network emulations for you and your peers to work on, or if you just want to test out different installations or configurations without worrying about system failure, this training will help make sure that building a practice lab comes easily and naturally.
Experienced network administrators. If you’re a network administrator with several years of experience, it may fall on you to create practice environments for junior administrators, or maybe you want to maintain practice spaces to simulate network environments to replicate the real-world experience. This training will walk you through building a practice lab, using a wide array of different network tools and platforms.