What can emulate a switch?

Question

Computer networks

Actually a subject.
The challenge is to tinker with switch operating systems (for example, IOS for 2960) without physical hardware.
Cisco Packet Tracer does not implement all of the features.
EVE-NG and GNS3 don't want to hear about switches.
So there is a way in nature to run a virtual machine with a switch?

Answer 1

As mentioned above, there is such a beast as IOU (images can be found on one forever banned torrent tracker; there are L2 and L3 images). They work great in GNS3, but, as for the full-fledged functionality of the same 2960, everything is very far from ideal. So if you want to play around with a normal combat ios, as, for example, in the same GNS3 with ios from routers, then most likely it will not work.

Answer 2

iOS on Unix/Linux was able to do something (IOU/IOL)

Answer 3

In the same eve-ng / gns3, you can run virtual machines with Juniper vQFX, ExtremeXOS or HPE Comware, although the number of ports is not very good, but it’s enough to play around.
Naturally, not all functionality is required to work, but, nevertheless, it is better than nothing.