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GNS3 Server · on a Docker VPS v2.2.61

Your network lab, hosted in France

🔒 VPS only

The reference multi-vendor network simulator, powered by GNS3 Server, to be installed and maintained by you. Your topologies and configurations stay on our French servers — never on a foreign cloud lab.

View compatible offers →FAQ
Hosted in FranceGDPR CompliantMulti-vendorPowerful offloaded backendOfficial publisher image
Overview

What is GNS3 Server?

GNS3 (Graphical Network Simulator-3) is an open-source network emulator, written in Python and released under the GPL license. It allows you to design, test, and troubleshoot complex networks by combining virtual equipment with real hardware — an essential tool for training, certification preparation, and network POCs.

The gns3-server component is the engine that runs the emulation: Dynamips for Cisco IOS, IOU, QEMU and VirtualBox machines, Docker containers, as well as a wide catalog of appliances. The GNS3 graphical client (Windows, Linux, macOS) connects to it via a REST API to remotely control topologies.

Offloading this server to a powerful infrastructure frees your workstation from the CPU and RAM constraints imposed by emulation. Hosted at DINAO, your topologies, images, and configurations remain in France, on a VPS and encrypted instance.

Compatible offers

Host GNS3 Server at DINAO

No managed container for GNS3 Server: this application is installed on a VPS hosted in France (2 vCPU / 2 Go / 10 Go minimum).

GNS3 Server needs a level of access to the machine that the managed container, shared between several customers, does not give. Two VPS hosted in France: DINAO installs and manages it for you, or you administer it yourself.

Technical reason: privileged container + host/container namespace sharing (network_mode=host) + mounting the Docker socket (full control of the host).

Option 2 The simplest

Managed VPS with Docker and the application pre-installed

from €31,70 /month excl. VAT

  • GNS3 Server installed by DINAO when you order
  • The machine is yours alone: GNS3 Server can control Docker on it without affecting any other customer
  • System and Docker managed by DINAO, monitoring included
  • Priority support included (2-hour response time, DINAO business days and hours)
  • Stated, capped resources (2 vCPU, 4 GB, 20 GB): beyond that, a larger size is offered
  • Application updates on request
  • Backups as an option (€20,00 excl. VAT/month)
  • No administrator access to the machine

To use GNS3 Server without installing or administering anything.

Order →

Option 3 100% self-managed

VPS Docker

from €11,00 /month excl. VAT

  • Your virtual machine, full administrator access
  • Docker pre-installed, control panel of your choice
  • Free to install GNS3 Server or any other application, including those that drive Docker
  • Delivered empty: you install and maintain GNS3 Server yourself (or DINAO installs it on quotation)
  • No backup by default (optional: €20,00 excl. VAT/month)
  • No management service by default (optional from €55,00 excl. VAT/month); monitoring as an option

By default you keep full control; but without an additional service, you handle everything: maintenance, configuration, deployment.

Discover the VPS Docker →
CriterionManaged VPS with Docker and the application pre-installedVPS Docker
Who installs GNS3 ServerDINAO, when you orderNobody by default: VPS delivered with Docker and, at your choice, Portainer / Dockge, without the application. You install it, or DINAO on quotation
Application updatesDINAO, on requestYou
System and DockerDINAO, without a control panel: one VPS, one applicationYou: no management service by default (optional: €55,00 or €75,00 excl. VAT/month, business days)
BackupsOptional: €20,00 excl. VAT/month for 7 days (100 GB quota)None by default; optional: €20,00 excl. VAT/month for 7 days (100 GB quota)
MonitoringIncludedOptional: from €1,00 to €10,00 excl. VAT/month
SupportPriority handling included (2-hour response time, DINAO business days and hours, no guaranteed resolution time)Best effort
IsolationA virtual machine of your own, for this application onlyA virtual machine of your own
ResourcesSized for the OS, Docker and GNS3 Server: 2 vCPU, 4 GB, 20 GB, stated as a cap; beyond that, a larger size is offeredRecommended size for GNS3 Server: 2 vCPU, 4 GB, 50 GB; can be extended
Administrator access (root)NoYes
Applications that require privileged access to the machineYes: the machine is yours aloneYes
Starting price€31,70 excl. VAT/month€11,00 excl. VAT/month (VPS only, without the application)

Options 2 and 3 sized for GNS3 Server (application requirements plus the system and Docker): 2 vCPU, 4 GB, 20 GB for option 2, 2 vCPU, 4 GB, 50 GB for option 3, whose base is larger.

Under the hood

Technical details

vCPU
2 vCPU
ideal : 4 vCPU
Memory
2 Go
ideal : 8 Go
Disk
10 Go
ideal : 50 Go
Image : gns3/gns3-server:latest Registry : docker.io Services : gns3-server Ports : 3080
Frequently asked questions

You might be wondering…

About GNS3 Server 6 questions

What is the GNS3 server?

GNS3 (Graphical Network Simulator-3) is an open-source network emulator. The server component (gns3-server) runs the emulation; the graphical client connects to it to design and control your topologies remotely.

Why host the server at DINAO?

Network emulation is CPU and RAM intensive. By offloading the server to our infrastructure, your workstation stays lightweight and your large topologies run on dedicated resources.

What equipment can I simulate?

GNS3 is multi-vendor: Cisco via Dynamips/IOU, QEMU/VirtualBox machines, Docker containers, firewalls, and many appliances. You can also connect real equipment.

How do I connect to it?

With the GNS3 client (Windows, Linux, macOS) pointed to your server, via an encrypted connection, or via the web console depending on the configuration.

Do I need to provide Cisco IOS images?

Yes. For licensing reasons, Cisco IOS images must be provided by you. DINAO configures the emulator; you remain responsible for your software usage rights.

Is this application tested before it is offered?

This application has not yet passed our automatic deployment test. It can still be installed, but we invite you to contact us before ordering: we will then test it as a priority. The deployment template used was last updated on 3 July 2026. Each new version released by the publisher triggers this test again: the date above therefore follows the version actually offered.

Option 2Option 3 On a VPS 7 questions

One answer per option: the two VPS offers do not cover the same things.

Who installs GNS3 Server on a VPS?

Managed VPSDINAO, when you order

VPS DockerNobody by default: the VPS is delivered with Docker, without the application. You install it, or DINAO on quotation

Who updates GNS3 Server on a VPS?

Managed VPSDINAO, on request

VPS DockerYou

Is the VPS managed?

Managed VPSYes: DINAO manages the system and Docker, without a control panel (one VPS, one application). Monitoring is included

VPS DockerNot by default: you manage the system and Docker. The management service and monitoring can be added as options when ordering

Is my data backed up on a VPS?

Managed VPSAs an option: backup is added when ordering

VPS DockerNone by default; backup can be added as an option when ordering

Do I get administrator (root) access to the VPS?

Managed VPSNo

VPS DockerYes

Do you provide on-call support outside business hours on a VPS?

Managed VPSNo: monitoring is included, interventions take place on business days

VPS DockerNo: monitoring is an option, support is best effort

In which data centre is my service hosted?

In France, in DINAO's private racks within two third-party data centres: Free Pro in Marseille (MAR02) and Euclyde DC1 in Sophia-Antipolis. The operator provides the building, power, cooling and physical security; DINAO operates everything inside its racks, entirely and independently.