GNS3 + Palo Alto Installation Guide

A Windows PC, At least 16GB, and 4 core are required for this guide. Please also ensure that Nested Virtualization is enabled on your motherboard. Memory Integrity may need to be disabled.

Let's Begin!

Downloadables

GNS3 Software Download: https://www.gns3.com/software/download
GNS3 VM Download: https://www.gns3.com/software/download-vm

VMWare and VirtualBox should work; This guide will be based off of VirtualBox, but overall general instructions are the same.

Prerequesites

To enable Nested Virtualization in your environment, ensure that
Intel: VT-x
AMD: SVM Mode
are enabled.

To disable Memory Integrity:
(Windows Security > Device Security > Core Isolation > Memory Integrity > Restart (do not shutdown))

VirtualBox Import

1) Open VirtualBox and Navigate to File > Import Appliance

2) Locate the .ova file from the GNS3-VM archive

After importing, it will show up on your library list.

Locate the VM and enter the Settings and ensure that you select "Expert".
Afterwards, scroll down to the System tab and click Processor.

Ensure that "Nested VT-x/AMD-V" is enabled (if it's greyed out, restart your computer after checking Memory Integrity

After ensuring above, open GNS3 and create a project.

After, click "Edit" on the top bar and select Preferences.

Select "GNS3 VM" in the Preferences menu.
Select your Hypervisor in the Virtualization Engine dropdown.
Ensure that the VM Name section shows the VM name inside the Hypervisor. (Click Refresh if it doesn't show)
Adjust your vCPU and RAM settings (rec. at least 4 vCPUs, and 16GB of RAM)
Save your options and close GNS3 + Ensure VM Shuts Down.

Start GNS3 and wait a few minutes for the VM on the site to turn green.
In addition, in the VM, ensure that "KVM support available" is set to true.

Palo-Alto Installation

After the VM starts up and is all good, we now begin importing Appliances. Download links for the Palo Alto image is available in Hamid's Learning Hub Content Page.

In GNS3, open one of the device menus and click "New Template" at the bottom of the page.

Select "Install an Appliance from the GNS3 Server"

Search for "PA-VM"

Select "Install the Appliance on the GNS3 VM"

Qemu Settings: Leave as default and click "Next"

In the Required Files, Version Page, click "Create a new version"

Enter "10.1.3" as the version name, and replace the version number for the disk image.

Scroll to bottom of page and ensure Version 10.1.3 says "Ready to Install"
(If it doesn't say that, press import on the bottom left when selecting disk image, and select the PA-VM image saved locally)

Press next and take note of the information

WebTerm Installation

Go to GNS3, and Import a New Template.

Select "Install an appliance from GNS3 server"

Search for "Webterm" under the Docker emulator.

Select "Install the appliance on the GNS3 VM"

Press Finish.

You're all done!