Lightweight images that run on the GNS3 VM. These are fast and efficient but officially intended for internal Cisco use. NM-16ESW Module: You can use an older router image (like the Cisco 3725
: While a real 2960 is a Layer 2 switch, virtual equivalents like Cisco IOSv-L2 support most features required for CCNA and CCNP, including VLANs, Spanning Tree Protocol (STP), and Port-Security. cisco 2960 switch ios download for gns3
After adding the switch to your GNS3 workspace: Lightweight images that run on the GNS3 VM
You can export vIOS-L2 or vIOS-L3 images from the VIRL platform to run in GNS3 via QEMU. Alternatives for Switching in GNS3 Spanning Tree Protocol (STP)
⚠️ Never download random IOS images from torrent or file-sharing sites – they are often tampered with and illegal to use without a Cisco service contract.