PicOS-V User Guide
PicOS-V is a free Virtual Machine (VM) from Pica8, and is the same as PicOS Network Operating System (NOS) software — contains all the same software features but in a VM format.
Download NowWhy Choose PicOS-V?
Convenience
Simulate multiple device models and build complete virtual network topologies on a single host machine. Test configurations and features across different switch models without physical hardware.
Economy
No need to purchase devices and licenses. Free to download and use for testing, validation, learning, and certification preparation. Significantly reduces lab setup costs.
Comprehensiveness
Unified experience with AmpCon controller. All PicOS software features available in the virtual environment for end-to-end testing of management and orchestration workflows.
Security
Verify device configurations for compliance before deploying to production networks. Test configuration changes in a safe, isolated environment to prevent production outages.
PicOS-V Scenarios and Function Recommendations
PicOS-V is the virtualized version of the PicOS Network Operating System (NOS) software. It configures all software features of PicOS within a virtual machine. However, certain hardware-specific features cannot be experienced in PicOS-V. As of June 2024, the detailed supported and unsupported features of PicOS-V are listed in the table below.
Common Feature Combination Configuration Methods
| Functionality Experience Description | PicOS Command Line Interface Experience PicOS System Interface Display | Layer 2 Feature: LACP Layer 2 Feature: STP Layer 3 Feature: IP Address Configuration Layer 3 Feature: Connectivity Testing DHCP | Layer 2 Feature: STP Layer 2 Function: MLAG + VRRP Layer 3 Function: Static Routing / Floating Static Routing Layer 3 Function: Basic OSPF Configuration Layer 3 Function: Basic RIP Configuration | Data Center: BGP Data Center: VXLAN Data Center: Centralized Gateway Data Center: EVPN Distributed Gateway |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Number of PicOS-V Switches | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 |
| Number of CPU Cores | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 |
| Amount of Memory | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 |
| Configuration Method | Basic Feature Configuration | LACP Configuration STP Configuration VXLAN Configuration | MSTP Configuration MLAG+VRRP Configuration Static Routing Configuration OSPF Configuration RIP Configuration | BGP Configuration VXLAN Configuration VXLAN Routing Configuration EVPN Configuration |
PicOS-V Installation Steps
Comparison of PicOS-V Installation Methods
Choose between Integrated Deployment (GNS3 client + server combined, simpler setup) or Standalone Deployment (separate GNS3 server + client for multi-user sharing).
Conditions for PicOS-V Installation
Review system requirements: compatible hypervisor (VMware Workstation, ESXi, or VirtualBox), sufficient CPU cores, memory, and disk space for your target scenario.
Installation Guide for PicOS-V
Follow step-by-step instructions to install GNS3, import the PicOS-V image, and configure your virtual network topology for testing.
Deployment Methods
Integrated Deployment
Install GNS3 only. When installing GNS3, the client and server are combined. Then upload PicOS-V to GNS3.
- The installation method is relatively simple, and there is no need to install a separate server.
- Integrated deployment saves more device resources.
- There may be situations where the switch cannot start for an extended period.
- It is inconvenient to share the test environment.
Standalone Deployment
First, install the GNS3 server, then install the GNS3 client, and finally import PicOS-V into the GNS3 server.
- Independent installation, deploying the GNS3 server on a separate server, and sharing the test environment.
- Easy multi-terminal sharing. Since integrated deployment does not support MAC operating systems, deploying the GNS3 server on a server provides better compatibility.
- It requires separate configuration for the client and server, which is more complex.
- If there are network issues between the client and server, it may cause anomalies in the experiments.
PicOS-V Experience Issue Form
If the feature you need to test cannot be experienced through PicOS-V, you can submit the form, and our professional technical staff will assist you as soon as possible.