I'm trying to set up GNS3 on Windows.
I've got it installed using the "all-in-one" method, and it runs, and shows a GNS server running.
I looked at the GNS3 marketplace and it has some MT devices, but not many.
I'm specifically interested in a hEX, AX3, AC2, RB5009, CSS326, and a few others -- none of which I see.
But, more fundamentally, whenever I try to download or install one of these devices, it seems to indicate that I need to run a VM to do so.
Can someone who has worked with GNS3 on a Windows PC steer me in the right direction?
Thanks.
Re: GNS3 with Mikrotik devices
GNS3 is a PITA to configure and install. (but if you succeed it is handy and "fun").
Yes, you need either Virtualbox or VMWare (but for the latter the player would do), but if you have the GNS3 server running, you surely have one of the two installed and running.
Virtualbox has been more or less deprecated and VMWare was suggested.
But maybe you have the (underlying) QEMU not fully or properly set?
I have an (older) install on a Windows 7 (with Virtualbox) that was a nightmare (but for different reasons, the python changes).
I have an install on a Windows 10 that was a double/triple nightmare, there was no way to make it work with Virtualbox, it worked with VMware player at the nth attempt, after trying each and every setting (plus one) in both the GNS3 and in Windows network, and it still needs from time to time to disable/reenable the (stupid) VMware network adapters, or even uninstall and reinstall the player, and then if you change anything it will randomly fail to connect to the server, and sometimes (often) it needs lots of time to connect to the server, and the network settings inside the GNS3 running the Virtual Machine sometimes are not loaded, and a lot of other issues. (there is in practice no documentation for the initial setup/install part, there is the GNS3 Doctor which is a joke, and the forum is full of people with the same issues that noone knowledgeable answers to meaningfully, the answers are mostly magic spells or voodoo rites or similar - which BTW often work
).
In any case GNS3 won't do wireless Mikrotik (only wired) and those (old) templates with the catchy device names are the CHR renamed, or - if you prefer, you can only run the CHR in GNS3.
Yes, you need either Virtualbox or VMWare (but for the latter the player would do), but if you have the GNS3 server running, you surely have one of the two installed and running.
Virtualbox has been more or less deprecated and VMWare was suggested.
But maybe you have the (underlying) QEMU not fully or properly set?
I have an (older) install on a Windows 7 (with Virtualbox) that was a nightmare (but for different reasons, the python changes).
I have an install on a Windows 10 that was a double/triple nightmare, there was no way to make it work with Virtualbox, it worked with VMware player at the nth attempt, after trying each and every setting (plus one) in both the GNS3 and in Windows network, and it still needs from time to time to disable/reenable the (stupid) VMware network adapters, or even uninstall and reinstall the player, and then if you change anything it will randomly fail to connect to the server, and sometimes (often) it needs lots of time to connect to the server, and the network settings inside the GNS3 running the Virtual Machine sometimes are not loaded, and a lot of other issues. (there is in practice no documentation for the initial setup/install part, there is the GNS3 Doctor which is a joke, and the forum is full of people with the same issues that noone knowledgeable answers to meaningfully, the answers are mostly magic spells or voodoo rites or similar - which BTW often work
). In any case GNS3 won't do wireless Mikrotik (only wired) and those (old) templates with the catchy device names are the CHR renamed, or - if you prefer, you can only run the CHR in GNS3.
Re: GNS3 with Mikrotik devices
It really is a PITA!
I installed what GNS3 calls their "all in one" which includes a server and client, and does not require a VM.
I think it precludes, however, downloading additional "appliances" such as those from the GNS3 "Marketplace."
What a PITA!
And from what I can see on their Marketplace, the MT devices I have are not available. And it entire GNS3 environment doesn't include wireless modeling, then the fudging of interfaces just makes this a no-go.
Too bad, as I was excited about a functioning modeller (to test configs) combined with a great way to visualize environments.
I installed what GNS3 calls their "all in one" which includes a server and client, and does not require a VM.
I think it precludes, however, downloading additional "appliances" such as those from the GNS3 "Marketplace."
What a PITA!
And from what I can see on their Marketplace, the MT devices I have are not available. And it entire GNS3 environment doesn't include wireless modeling, then the fudging of interfaces just makes this a no-go.
Too bad, as I was excited about a functioning modeller (to test configs) combined with a great way to visualize environments.
Re: GNS3 with Mikrotik devices
GNS3 is like ROS, pretty easy once you connect the dots! 
It runs just as well on Windows Hyper-V.
It runs just as well on Windows Hyper-V.Re: GNS3 with Mikrotik devices
I have no experience with Windows Hyper-V.GNS3 is like ROS, pretty easy once you connect the dots!
I have a proxmox server on which I can make a separate VM? Or even a old dedicated PC if there is a full GNS3 OS distro available?
But is GNS3 worth it given that it doesn't (to my knowledge) have MT devices such as a hEX, AX, AC, RB5009? And doesn't model wireless?
Re: GNS3 with Mikrotik devices
Unfortunately no wireless or anything else, just plain CHR.
Re: GNS3 with Mikrotik devices
What Is borderline with fraud 
for a newcomer Is that a "template" Is a sort of .ini or definition file, basically a few parameters for the virtual environment where the "payload" will run.
For Mikrotik the payload is always and only a CHR image.
You can make a copy of (say) the available RB2011 template, and rename It to (still say) "Hex refresh", limit the number of ports to 5 and do some other minor (mostly unneeded) changes and presto, you have just another CHR instance (by any other name).
But It does have a few advantages when compared to experimenting on real devices.
The main one (as I see It) Is that Is virtually impossible to lock you out when doing dangerous ( and stupid) experiments with firewall and scripts enabling and disabling interfaces, the console should always work.
And using the virtual Winbox device one can make some practice with the program and its settings (and be locked out, knowing that there Is always the console to access the device, not entirely unlike what can be done on real devices sporting the serial port).
for a newcomer Is that a "template" Is a sort of .ini or definition file, basically a few parameters for the virtual environment where the "payload" will run.For Mikrotik the payload is always and only a CHR image.
You can make a copy of (say) the available RB2011 template, and rename It to (still say) "Hex refresh", limit the number of ports to 5 and do some other minor (mostly unneeded) changes and presto, you have just another CHR instance (by any other name).
But It does have a few advantages when compared to experimenting on real devices.
The main one (as I see It) Is that Is virtually impossible to lock you out when doing dangerous ( and stupid) experiments with firewall and scripts enabling and disabling interfaces, the console should always work.
And using the virtual Winbox device one can make some practice with the program and its settings (and be locked out, knowing that there Is always the console to access the device, not entirely unlike what can be done on real devices sporting the serial port).
Re: GNS3 with Mikrotik devices
IS EVE-NG any better then??