12-24-2008, 09:12 AM
I recommend GNS3 for router emulation. It is a GUI interface that runs on top of Dynagen and Dynamips. It uses the actual router IOS's for 2600's, 3640's, 3660's, and 7200's and supports many of the interfaces like WIC-2T, NM-4T, NM-16esw.... It does full router emulation so you get the full set of commands from the IOS. If you want to run it on XP make sure that you have a machine with plenty of horsepower or it is likely to have interfaces and routes that flap. If you have an older machine, I highly recommend Linux. It uses far less resorces than Windows and I have had almost no problems with it. I also recommend that you use the 3660 routers with NM-... interfaces. Best of luck....