ExtremeXOS is a network operating system used in Extreme Networks network switches. Virtualized version of ExtremeXOS - EXOS virtual machine vmdk image can be used to build virtual lab without need to use hardware switches. Although ExtremeXOS virtual machine can be downloaded for free only certain features are known to work. For this reason software should not be used for testing any actual networking setups or performance tests.

The tutorial consist of two parts. The part one explains how to configure Qemu emulator to run ExtremeXOS virtual machine. In part two, ExtremeXOS VM is connected to virtual lab run by GNS3 software. In this lab, features such as VLANs, 802.1q trunks and OSPF routing protocol are tested between multilayer switches from different vendors - Cisco, Arista and Extreme Networks.

Extreme Academy. Education sector training partnerships. Training & Courses. Wide selection of self-paced or instructed courses. Maintenance Services. Around the clock support for your network. Premier Services. Dedicated customer advocacy teams. Professional Services. Network solutions, consultation, and implementation. Managed Services. Running GNS with emulated Cisco IOS, Juniper JunOS, Extreme Networks XOSGNS3: 0.8.6dynamips: 0.2.10ios: 12.4(17)junos: 12.1R1.9exos: 15.3.2.11win: Windows 7. GNS3 support many switching options - they range from unmanaged switches, to Cisco IOS switches, to Datacenter Nexus switches, to Etherswitch modules and then emerging technologies such as OpenFlow and SDN. One common misconception about GNS3 is.

Host Software and Hardware Requirements

Linux x86-64,
Qemu emulator version 2.1.2 (qemu-system-x86_64, qemu-system-i386 ) or later,
GNS3 version 1.1 or later,
RAM - at least 4 GB,
CPU with hardware virtualization support (VT-x or AMD-V)

Virtual Machines Software and Hardware Requirements

ExtremeXOS VM 15.3.2, exosvm.vmdk,
RAM 256 MB ,CPU x86-64
Qemu additional parameters: -nographic -enable-kvm
Vios_l2-ADVENTERPRISEK9-M), Version 15.0, vIOS-L2.vmdk,
RAM 512MB, CPU x86-64
Qemu additional parameters: -enable-kvm -nographic
Arista 4.14.2F, image vEOS-4.14.2F.vmdk
RAM 1024 MB, x86-64 CPU
Qemu additional parameters: -boot d -cdrom Aboot-veos-serial-2.0.8.iso -enable-kvm -nographic
Linux Core 3.0.21-tinycore, linux-core-4.7.7.img
RAM 128 MB, CPU i386
Qemu additional parameters: -nographic -enable-kvm

To download ExtremeXOS 15.3.2 virtual machine, you must register first. Create your account here and you will get your free registration code. When you finish registration process, navigate to download page.

Click on Download Free button and enter the mail address you used during the registration. Login with your username (email address) and password.

1. ExtremeXOS Virtual Machine on GNS3

1. Extract ZIP archive

$ unzip extremexosvm1532.zip
$ cd XOS_VM_Lab
$ unzip EXOS_VM_15_3_2.zip

2. Run XOS Virtual Machine using Qemu

Use Qemu to run virtual machine vmdk image.

$ /usr/local/bin/qemu-system-x86_64 -serial telnet::3366,server,nowait -m 512MB -enable-kvm exosvm.vmdk

Note: If you use Windows OS, omit the parameter -enable-kvm otherwise the virtual machine fails to start.

Once the machine starts, select an option Primary EXOS Image on (hd0,1) using serial console.

Picture 1 - ExtremeXOS Virtual Machine Grub Menu

Connect to virtual machine serial port with the telnet command.

$ telnet localhost 3366

Once the machine boots it sits on the login prompt. Username is admin without password set. After the first successful login you will be asked to answer several configuration questions.

Picture 2 - Boot with the Empty Configuration

3. Connect XIOS Virtual Machine to GNS3

Navigate to Edit-> Preferences-> Qemu VMs -> and create New machine according to settings below. After you finish Qemu VM configuration, you can change parameters clicking on Edit button. For instance, you can change number of NICs or configure additional Qemu parameters (-nographic, -enable-kvm) etc.

Picture 3 - Qemu Advanced Settings Tab

2. GNS3 Lab Configuration

The lab consist of three multilayer switches from different vendors. Cisco switch is represented by Virtual IOS L2 image, Arista switch is running Arista virtual EOS and extreme switch is running ExtremeXOS. Switches are connected by their ports that are configured as 802.1q trunks. Only tagged frames from VLAN ID 50, 51 and 52 are allowed on particular trunk ports. Clients connected to the switch ports are simulated by Linux Core.

Picture 4 - LabTopology

Arista-I

localhost>en
localhost#conf t

Hostname
localhost(config)#hostname Arista-I

VLANs
Arista-I(config)#vlan 52
Arista-I(config-vlan-52)#vlan 20
Arista-I(config-vlan-20)#vlan 51
Arista-I(config-vlan-51)#exit

Password for Access to Privileged User Mode
Arista-I(config)#enable secret arista

Allow SSH Access to CLI
Arista-I(config)#username admin secret arista

Trunk Ports and Access Port
Arista-I(config)#interface ethernet 4
Arista-I(config-if-Et4)#switchport mode trunk
Arista-I(config-if-Et4)#switchport trunk allowed vlan 52

Arista-I(config-if-Et4)#interface ethernet 1
Arista-I(config-if-Et1)#switchport mode trunk
Arista-I(config-if-Et1)#switchport trunk allowed vlan 51

Arista-I(config-if-Et1)#interface ethernet 2
Arista-I(config-if-Et2)#switchport mode access
Arista-I(config-if-Et2)#switchport access vlan 20

VLAN Interfaces
Arista-I(config-if-Et2)#interface vlan 52
Arista-I(config-if-Vl52)#ip address 10.10.52.2 255.255.255.252
Arista-I(config-if-Vl52)#no shutdown

Arista-I(config-if-Vl52)#interface vlan 51
Arista-I(config-if-Vl51)#ip address 10.10.51.1 255.255.255.252
Arista-I(config-if-Vl51)#no shutdown

Arista-I(config-if-Vl51)#interface vlan 20
Arista-I(config-if-Vl20)#ip address 192.168.20.1 255.255.255.0
Arista-I(config-if-Vl20)#no shutdown
Arista-I(config-if-Vl20)#exit

IPv4 Routing
Arista-I(config)#ip routing

OSPF Protocol
Arista-I(config)#router ospf 1
Arista-I(config-router-ospf)#network 10.10.51.0 0.0.0.3 area 0
Arista-I(config-router-ospf)#network 10.10.52.0 0.0.0.3 area 0
Arista-I(config-router-ospf)#network 192.168.20.0 0.0.0.255 area 0
Arista-I(config-router-ospf)#passive-interface ethernet 2

Save Configuration
Arista-I(config)#do write mem

Linux Core-II

tc@box:~$ sudo su
root@box:~# echo 'ip addr add 192.168.20.100/24 dev eth0' >> /opt/bootlocal.sh
root@box:~#echo 'ip route add default via 192.168.20.1' >> /opt/bootlocal.sh
root@box:~# echo 'hostname Core-II' >> /opt/bootlocal.sh

Apply Changes
root@box:~# /opt/bootlocal.sh

Gns3 Extreme Networks