Loopback Interfaces on Windows – using Graphical Networking Simulator – GNS3

GNS3 allows you to simulate an entire Cisco IOS image file on virtual hardware, including FastEthernet and GigaEthernet interfaces. With GNS3, you can assemble a portion of a virtual network and connect that with a real network such as the one connected to your wireless/wired NIC. For wireless NICs its recommended that you use the Microsoft Loopback adapter, by entering “start->run->hdwwiz” and selecting the Network Adapter driver for install manufactured by Microsoft by that name. Features such as IOS’s privileged EXEC mode version of ping, the Advanced Ping Utility, are easy to use against hosts on the entire internet from a home laptop. For more information on GNS3, visit http://www.gns3.net. http://www.gns3.net/phpBB/topic20.html?sid=4bb1f244b8bd9dfecb9de782067b4bd2 for a post on how to use a wireless NIC with GNS3.