# Install vpcs with Homebrew, apk, apt, MacPorts, Nix, zypper Virtual PC simulator for testing IP routing. Version 0.8.3 via Homebrew; verified from local package data. Also installable with debian: sudo apt install vpcs. ## Install ```sh sudo av install brew:vpcs ``` Additional install commands: ### macOS - Homebrew (100%): ```sh brew install vpcs ``` Evidence: local Homebrew formula metadata - MacPorts (94%): ```sh sudo port install vpcs ``` Evidence: MacPorts ports tree: emulators/vpcs/Portfile from https://api.github.com/repos/macports/macports-ports/git/trees/master?recursive=1 ### Linux - apk (92%): ```sh sudo apk add vpcs ``` Evidence: Alpine Linux edge package indexes: vpcs from https://dl-cdn.alpinelinux.org/alpine/edge/community/x86_64/APKINDEX.tar.gz - Debian apt (92%): ```sh sudo apt install vpcs ``` Evidence: Debian stable package indexes: vpcs from https://deb.debian.org/debian/dists/stable/main/binary-amd64/Packages.xz - Nix (92%): ```sh nix profile install nixpkgs#vpcs ``` Evidence: nixpkgs package indexes: pkgs/by-name/vp/vpcs/package.nix from https://api.github.com/repos/NixOS/nixpkgs/git/trees/master?recursive=1 - zypper (92%): ```sh sudo zypper install vpcs ``` Evidence: openSUSE Tumbleweed package metadata: vpcs from https://download.opensuse.org/tumbleweed/repo/oss/repodata/be8d3611d25469107f32075a1697e69ec57a2b850b42348a658cc671ad5ec2b50760d02c3e59524d50da9a11d5be799bdaffba2e166e8ca8858512e3c0bd665d-primary.xml.zst ## Package facts - **Package key:** brew:vpcs - **Package manager:** Homebrew - **Package manager page:** - **Version:** 0.8.3 - **Source summary:** Virtual PC simulator for testing IP routing - **Homepage:** - **Repository:** - **Upstream docs:** - **License:** BSD-2-Clause - **Source archive:** - **Generated:** 2026-07-25T07:20:51+00:00 ## Executables - vpcs (cli) - vpcs (alias) ## Install behavior - Post-install hook: not defined - Bottle: available on arm64_linux, arm64_sequoia, arm64_sonoma, arm64_tahoe, sonoma, x86_64_linux ## Freshness - Page generated: 2026-07-25 - Package-manager version: 0.8.3 - Local data: ok - Upstream repository: https://github.com/GNS3/vpcs - Upstream latest detected: v0.8.3 (current) - info: No package-manager update timestamp was available. ## Project history and usage VPCS is the Virtual PC Simulator, a small command-line network host simulator used mainly with Dynamips and GNS3 labs. It provides lightweight virtual end hosts that can send and receive basic traffic such as ping and traceroute without running full virtual machines. ### Project history The original VPCS project was hosted on SourceForge and described itself as a tool that can simulate up to nine PCs for studying Cisco routers in Dynamips. It was intentionally not a complete PC emulator; it was a compact program with only a small set of network commands. The current GNS3 repository is a continuation of that original VPCS code. The GNS3 README says it is based on the last development version and improved with community patches after the original SourceForge-hosted code stopped being maintained. ### Adoption history VPCS became useful because GNS3 and Dynamips network labs often need simple endpoints for connectivity tests. Replacing router instances or full VMware/VirtualBox guests with VPCS reduced CPU and memory load while still allowing lab users to verify addressing and routing behavior. Documentation and manpages for Linux distributions describe VPCS as an ideal study tool for simulated Cisco or Juniper router environments, reflecting its adoption as a practical companion utility rather than a standalone networking platform. ### How it is used A typical VPCS session creates up to nine numbered virtual PCs, assigns IP configuration and gateways, and runs ping or traceroute across a simulated topology. In UDP mode, each virtual PC corresponds to paired local and remote UDP ports used to exchange packets with Dynamips or GNS3 nodes. The tool is deliberately limited: it is best for endpoint reachability tests, small TCP/UDP/ICMP exercises, and lab scripts, not for running services or emulating full operating-system behavior. ### Why package nerds care VPCS is package-nerd useful because it is tiny infrastructure glue for network labs. A single small binary can replace heavyweight guest machines when all the user needs is an IP endpoint that responds predictably inside a simulated topology. ### Timeline - 2008-2011: VPCS releases appear in GNS3 SourceForge file areas alongside early GNS3/Dynamips workflows. - 2015: VPCS 0.8 readme documents IPv6 support and Linux, Windows, and OS X testing notes. - 2016: SourceForge project activity shows the original project becoming effectively dormant. - 2020s: GNS3 maintains a continuation repository with community patches. ### Related projects - VPCS is closely related to GNS3, Dynamips, and network-certification lab workflows where simple end hosts are needed to test router configuration. - It is an alternative to using full virtual machines or router images merely as traffic endpoints in a network simulation. ### Sources - - - - - ## Security Notes narrow executable package without higher-risk signals. - **Geiger risk:** green / low - narrow executable package without higher-risk signals ## Source Database Details - **Source Database:** Homebrew formula API - **Tap:** homebrew/core - **Full Name:** vpcs - **Version Scheme:** 0 - **Revision:** 0 - **Bottle Stable Root URL:** - **Deprecated:** no - **Disabled:** no - **Keg Only:** no - **URL Keys:** stable ## Other Package-Manager Records - Debian apt - vpcs - 0.5b2-2.2: normalized package name match | Debian stable package indexes: vpcs from https://deb.debian.org/debian/dists/stable/main/binary-amd64/Packages.xz | virtual PC simulator for Dynamips | http://sourceforge.net/projects/vpcs/ - Nix - vpcs: normalized package name match | nixpkgs package indexes: pkgs/by-name/vp/vpcs/package.nix from https://api.github.com/repos/NixOS/nixpkgs/git/trees/master?recursive=1 - Ubuntu apt - vpcs - 0.5b2-2.2: normalized package name match | Ubuntu 24.04 LTS package indexes: vpcs from https://archive.ubuntu.com/ubuntu/dists/noble/universe/binary-amd64/Packages.gz | virtual PC simulator for Dynamips | http://sourceforge.net/projects/vpcs/ - apk - vpcs - 0.8.3-r0: normalized package name match | Alpine Linux edge package indexes: vpcs from https://dl-cdn.alpinelinux.org/alpine/edge/community/x86_64/APKINDEX.tar.gz | Simple virtual PC simulator | https://sourceforge.net/projects/vpcs/ - zypper - vpcs - 0.8.2-1.14: normalized package name match | openSUSE Tumbleweed package metadata: vpcs from https://download.opensuse.org/tumbleweed/repo/oss/repodata/be8d3611d25469107f32075a1697e69ec57a2b850b42348a658cc671ad5ec2b50760d02c3e59524d50da9a11d5be799bdaffba2e166e8ca8858512e3c0bd665d-primary.xml.zst | Virtual PC Simulator | https://github.com/GNS3/vpcs - MacPorts - vpcs: normalized package name match | MacPorts ports tree: emulators/vpcs/Portfile from https://api.github.com/repos/macports/macports-ports/git/trees/master?recursive=1 ## Related links - [Terminal utility packages](https://www.automicvault.com/pkg/terminal-utilities/) - Matched terminal and command-line workflow metadata. - [Developer build packages](https://www.automicvault.com/pkg/developer-build-tools/) - Matched build, compiler, generator, or developer workflow metadata. - [Networking and protocol packages](https://www.automicvault.com/pkg/networking-protocol-tools/) - Matched network, protocol, or remote-service metadata. - [Scientific computing packages](https://www.automicvault.com/pkg/scientific-computing-tools/) - Matched scientific computing metadata. - [dstp](https://www.automicvault.com/pkg/brew/dstp/) - Shares av.db curated category or tags: cli, networking, testing. - [sipsak](https://www.automicvault.com/pkg/brew/sipsak/) - Shares av.db curated category or tags: cli, networking, testing. - [websocat](https://www.automicvault.com/pkg/brew/websocat/) - Shares av.db curated category or tags: cli, networking, testing. - [aerleon](https://www.automicvault.com/pkg/brew/aerleon/) - Shares av.db curated category or tags: cli, networking. - [ahcpd](https://www.automicvault.com/pkg/brew/ahcpd/) - Shares av.db curated category or tags: cli, networking. - [assh](https://www.automicvault.com/pkg/brew/assh/) - Shares av.db curated category or tags: cli, networking. - [autossh](https://www.automicvault.com/pkg/brew/autossh/) - Shares av.db curated category or tags: cli, networking. - [avahi](https://www.automicvault.com/pkg/brew/avahi/) - Shares av.db curated category or tags: cli, networking. - [iproute2mac](https://www.automicvault.com/pkg/brew/iproute2mac/) - Local package facts share a topical domain. Shared terms: cli, ip, networking, routing. ## Combined YAML source View the package source record on GitHub. [combined/vpcs.yml](https://github.com/automic-vault/db/blob/main/combined/vpcs.yml) ## Sources - Nucleus package database - Geiger risk classifier - package-page enrichment - curated package history - package version freshness - av.db category and tag curation - package relationship graph - external package-manager database matches - cross-ecosystem install command graph