[vbox-dev] [PATCH] UDPTunnel : new network interface backend to allow using this to link to GNS3 and QEMU instances over the network

[Alexey Eromenko]

That's good to hear.

> Alexey, could you point me to some directions for requirements and
> instructions on compiling and runnnig gns3?

GNS3 is written in python, and doesn't requires compilation. Link:
http://www.gns3.net/phpBB/post9945.html?sid=e83f2f10af0c48790599bc12cde5f44a#p9945

GNS3 has several killer features:

1. Qt4 GUI (same as VirtualBox) -- very intuitive and user-friendly.
(using PyQt4)
2. Dynamic Topology layer -- items (VMs/Routers/Switches/Cables) can
be added or removed at run-time, without shutting down devices or
topology. (provided by 'Dynagen' component)
3. Multi-host -- distributed architecture. (although most of our users
run everything on 'localhost')
4. Packet Captures -- full integration with Wireshark.
5. Very easy and readable text format (for saving topology)
6. Three underlying engines: Dynamips (Routers+Switches), Qemu and
VirtualBox (for VMs).
6.a. It is recommended to install all 3 engines to enjoy full power of
GNS3, but installing only VirtualBox and skipping 2 others is
possible.
7. Cross-platform -- GNS3 runs on all platforms, that are supported by
VirtualBox.
8. GNS3 is intended as education tool.
9. By design, all VBox VM settings, are done from VirtualBox GUI,
except the network.
9.a. Network is managed by GNS3 (vNICs <2-N>) - first NIC is also
managed from VirtualBox GUI.
9.b. By contrast, GNS3-Qemu backend manages *everything* from GNS3
GUI, but does so poorly.
10. Open-Source -- GNS3 is GPLed (due to requirements of PyQt4 library).

Enjoy !
-- 
-Alexey Eromenko "Technologov"