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I want to load some router firmware onto a virtual machine to run some testing/analysis without actually putting it on the router hardware. Is this possible and how would I go about doing it? Thanks :)

edit: it would be various routers and firmwares I'm looking more for a general idea of the process.

R-c
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    This obviously depends on what router hardware and firmware you are actually inquiring about. Please add this detail. – earl Feb 03 '11 at 03:40
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    This is *extremely* hardware dependent. We will need specific hardware models you're looking for. – sysadmin1138 Feb 03 '11 at 03:43
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    You need an emulator for the same hardware. If the router firmware is x86-based (say a Linux distro) then odds are it'll be fine in VMWare. Otherwise, you need a specific emulator for the specific router - there is no universal process. – MikeyB Feb 03 '11 at 05:52

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If you're talking about Cisco routers, you may have success using GNS3.

Really, Dynamips is the program that does the emulation, but GNS3 is a nice front end.

MikeyB
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Yes, it is possible. If your router is a stock x86 router platform without special hardware, or something capable. Example: Mikrotik Router OS / Router OS based routers. Because this is what VmWare simulates.

TomTom
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