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Actually, GNS3 can do some switching by using various modules. &nbsp;If you use that tool, check out <a href="http://www.cbtnuggets.com/it-training-videos/series/gns3" rel="ugc">http://www.cbtnuggets.com/it-training-videos/series/gns3</a>&nbsp;<br />
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This series walks you through all of the configs and various scenarios using GNS3. &nbsp;One thing: &nbsp;You must have a licensed version of an IOS image to use GNS3, but it's a great learning tool.
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Actually, GNS3 can do some switching by using various modules.  If you use that tool, check out http://www.cbtnuggets.com/it-training-videos/series/gns3 [http://www.cbtnuggets.com/it-training-videos/series/gns3] 

This series walks you through all of the configs and various scenarios using GNS3.  One thing:  You must have a licensed version of an IOS image to use GNS3, but it's a great learning tool.

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I attached picture of network design tool. Can anyone tell me what tool is this? is this free?<br />
<a href="https://filedb.experts-exchange.com/incoming/2013/05_w19/653783/p1.jpg" target="_blank" class="file-inline" title="packet tracer (25 KB)"><svg xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" viewBox="0 0 512 512"><path d="M67.508 468.467c-58.005-58.013-58.016-151.92 0-209.943l225.011-225.04c44.643-44.645 117.279-44.645 161.92 0 44.743 44.749 44.753 117.186 0 161.944l-189.465 189.49c-31.41 31.413-82.518 31.412-113.926.001-31.479-31.482-31.49-82.453 0-113.944L311.51 110.491c4.687-4.687 12.286-4.687 16.972 0l16.967 16.971c4.685 4.686 4.685 12.283 0 16.969L184.983 304.917c-12.724 12.724-12.73 33.328 0 46.058 12.696 12.697 33.356 12.699 46.054-.001l189.465-189.489c25.987-25.989 25.994-68.06.001-94.056-25.931-25.934-68.119-25.932-94.049 0l-225.01 225.039c-39.249 39.252-39.258 102.795-.001 142.057 39.285 39.29 102.885 39.287 142.162-.028A739446.174 739446.174 0 0 1 439.497 238.49c4.686-4.687 12.282-4.684 16.969.004l16.967 16.971c4.685 4.686 4.689 12.279.004 16.965a755654.128 755654.128 0 0 0-195.881 195.996c-58.034 58.092-152.004 58.093-210.048.041z"/></svg>p1.jpg</a>
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p1.jpg

I attached picture of network design tool. Can anyone tell me what tool is this? is this free?

what is this tool, packet tracer?

A router is a networking device that forwards data packets between computer networks. Routers perform the "traffic directing" functions on the Internet. The most familiar type of routers are home and small office cable or DSL routers that simply pass data, such as web pages, email, IM, and videos between computers and the Internet. More sophisticated routers, such as enterprise routers, connect large business or ISP networks up to the powerful core routers that forward data at high speed along the optical fiber lines of the Internet backbone. Though routers are typically dedicated hardware devices, use of software-based routers has grown increasingly common.

Routers

Network Management involves issues that are independent of specific hardware or software, including email policies, upgrade planning, backup scheduling and working with managed service providers for Desktop-As-A-Service (DaaS), Software-As-A-Service (SaaS) and the like through the use of tools, coupled with manufacturer standards, best practice guidelines, policies and procedures plus all other relevant documentation. Network management also includes monitoring, alerting and reporting, management reporting, planning for device or service updates, the backup of configurations, the setting of key performance indicators and measures (KPIs/KPMs), associated service level agreements and problem records as part of the IT Service Management (ITSM) framework.

Network Management

Network analysis is the process of identifying and remediating the processes and systems within a network, including performance, connectivity and security. The process is performed through the use of tools developed for monitoring and analyzing network activity. Network problems that involve finding an optimal way of doing something are studied under the name combinatorial optimization. Examples include network flow, shortest path problem, transport problem, transshipment problem, location problem, matching problem, assignment problem, packing problem, routing problem, Critical Path Analysis and PERT (Program Evaluation & Review Technique).