GNS3 Link Management
Create and manage links between node interfaces in GNS3 projects. Build network topologies by connecting devices and isolate nodes for testing.
When to Use
- Connecting two network devices together
- Building out a network topology
- Viewing existing connections in a lab
- Removing links between devices
- Isolating a node without deleting its links
- Re-enabling links after isolation testing
MCP Server
- Command:
python3 -u mcp-servers/gns3-mcp-server/gns3_mcp_server.py (stdio transport)
- Requires:
GNS3_URL, GNS3_USER, GNS3_PASSWORD environment variables
Available Tools
| Tool |
Parameters |
What It Does |
gns3_list_links |
project_id |
List all links with connected nodes and interfaces |
gns3_create_link |
project_id, node1, port1, node2, port2 |
Create a link between two interfaces |
gns3_delete_link |
project_id, link_id |
Delete a link |
gns3_isolate_node |
project_id, node_id, isolate |
Disable/enable all links to a node |
Interface Name Formats
The tools support multiple interface naming conventions:
| Format |
Example |
Adapter |
Port |
| eth# |
eth0, eth1 |
0 |
0, 1 |
| Ethernet# |
Ethernet0 |
0 |
0 |
| Gi#/# |
Gi0/0, Gi0/1 |
0 |
0, 1 |
| GigabitEthernet#/# |
GigabitEthernet0/0 |
0 |
0 |
| Fa#/# |
Fa0/0, Fa0/1 |
0 |
0, 1 |
| e# |
e0, e1 |
0 |
0, 1 |
| port# |
port0, port1 |
0 |
0, 1 |
| #/# |
0/0, 0/1 |
0 |
0, 1 |
Workflow Examples
Build a Topology
# Connect router to switch
"Connect router1 Gi0/0 to switch1 eth0 in routing-test"
# Connect switch to another router
"Connect switch1 eth1 to router2 Gi0/0 in routing-test"
# Connect hosts to switch
"Connect host1 eth0 to switch1 eth2 in routing-test"
View Topology
# List all connections
"List all links in routing-test"
Isolate for Testing
# Isolate a node (disable all its links)
"Isolate router1 in routing-test"
# Test behavior with router1 disconnected...
# Re-enable links
"Unisolate router1 in routing-test"
Clean Up
# Remove a specific link
"Delete the link between router1 and switch1 in routing-test"
Integration with Other Skills
- gns3-project-lifecycle: Create project first
- gns3-node-operations: Add nodes before connecting them
- gns3-packet-capture: Capture traffic on links
Error Handling
| Error Code |
Meaning |
Resolution |
| GNS3_NOT_FOUND |
Node or link doesn't exist |
Check names/IDs |
| GNS3_CONFLICT |
Interface already connected |
Check existing links first |
| GNS3_VALIDATION |
Invalid interface format |
Use supported naming conventions |
Notes
- Links can only be created between existing nodes
- Each interface can only have one link
- Isolating a node disables links without deleting them
- Link IDs are UUIDs - use
gns3_list_links to find them
- All operations logged to GAIT audit trail
