EXata Network Modeling vs GNS3
EXata Network Modeling
keysight.comGNS3
gns3.comSide by side
| Figure | EXata Network Modeling | GNS3 |
|---|---|---|
| Price from | — | Free |
| Free plan | — | Yes |
| Free trial | — | — |
| Open source | — | — |
| Web | — | Yes |
| Windows | Yes | Yes |
| macOS | — | Yes |
| Linux | Yes | Yes |
| Self-hosted | — | Yes |
| Plans published | 1 | 1 |
| Spec score · Network Simulation Software | 7.3 (#27) | 8.0 (#8) |
| Integrations | The technical overview says EXata can run live applications across simulated networks and connect models with physical equipment such as servers, computers, radios, and sensors. | GNS3 supports Docker instances, QEMU-based appliances, hypervisors including VMware, VirtualBox and Hyper-V, and connections to real networks. |
| Purpose | EXata creates network digital twins for real-time network simulation and emulation of communication networks and cyber threats. | GNS3 lets network engineers emulate, configure, test, and troubleshoot virtual and real networks. |
| Support | Keysight links EXata customers to KeysightCare, the Keysight Support Portal, and its Software Download Center for support and software updates. | GNS3 points users to its documentation and community for help, questions, and bug reports. |
Plans
In their own words
EXata Network Modeling
EXata Network Modeling has no write-up on Specifiction yet; its figures are above.
GNS3
GNS3 is free, open-source software for emulating, configuring, testing, and troubleshooting virtual and real networks. Its graphical client works with a virtual machine, and servers can run locally or remotely. Users can combine emulated devices running actual images with simulated devices, including a built-in layer 2 switch. It supports appliances from vendors such as Cisco, Brocade, Cumulus Linux, and HPE, as well as Docker, QEMU-based appliances, VMware, VirtualBox, Hyper-V, and connections to real networks. The GNS3 Marketplace offers preconfigured appliance templates with recommended settings. It runs on Windows, macOS, and Linux; documentation recommends the GNS3 VM for most Windows and macOS setups and complex topologies. Users must supply their own Cisco IOS images. There are no monthly or yearly license fees, and device capacity depends in practice on the host computer’s CPU and memory. GNS3 is used for networking education, certification practice, proofs of concept, demonstrations, and interoperability testing. A server has no authentication enabled by default and should be restricted at the network level.