gns3-project-lifecycle

GNS3 Project Lifecycle

Manage GNS3 network lab projects through natural language commands. Create new labs, open/close existing projects, clone for experimentation, and export/import for sharing.

When to Use

• Creating a new GNS3 lab environment for testing or training
• Opening or closing existing projects to manage resources
• Cloning projects before making experimental changes
• Exporting projects to share with colleagues
• Importing projects from archives
• Listing all available labs on the GNS3 server
• Deleting projects that are no longer needed

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_projects	None	List all GNS3 projects with name, status, and path
gns3_create_project	name, auto_open?, auto_close?, auto_start?	Create a new project
gns3_get_project	project_id	Get detailed project information
gns3_open_project	project_id	Open a closed project
gns3_close_project	project_id	Close an opened project and release resources
gns3_delete_project	project_id	Delete a project and all its resources
gns3_clone_project	project_id, new_name, reset_mac_addresses?	Clone an existing project
gns3_export_project	project_id, include_snapshots?, include_images?, compression?	Export project as archive
gns3_import_project	file_path, name?	Import project from archive

Workflow Examples

Create and Manage a Lab

# List existing projects
"List all my GNS3 labs"

# Create a new project
"Create a new GNS3 lab called routing-test"

# Open a project
"Open the routing-test project"

# Close when done
"Close the routing-test project"

Clone Before Experimentation

# Clone a project before making risky changes
"Clone routing-test as routing-test-experiment"

# Work on the clone, then delete if not needed
"Delete routing-test-experiment"

Export and Import

# Export for sharing
"Export the routing-test project with snapshots"

# Import a shared project
"Import the project from /tmp/routing-test.gns3project"

Integration with Other Skills

• gns3-node-operations: After creating a project, add nodes
• gns3-link-management: Connect nodes in the project
• gns3-snapshot-ops: Save project state before changes

Error Handling

Error Code	Meaning	Resolution
GNS3_NOT_FOUND	Project doesn't exist	Check project name/ID
GNS3_CONFLICT	Project is locked or name exists	Wait for unlock or use different name
GNS3_AUTH_FAILED	Authentication failed	Verify GNS3_USER and GNS3_PASSWORD

Notes

• Projects can be referenced by name or UUID
• Close projects to release compute resources
• Lab-only operations - no ServiceNow CR gating required
• All operations logged to GAIT audit trail