Here are instructions to install GNS3 from the sources on Mac os X. You will have to install or compile dependencies like Qt, Sip and PyQt. This will allow you to use the latest development version of GNS3 that you can download from http://code.gns3.net.

Method 1

• Install the Apple Devs Tools (on your Mac OS X DVD or download it on ADC account). Run and install XcodeTools.mpkg.

• Download Python 2.6 for MacOS X and install it.

• Download Qt libraries for Mac and install them.

• Download SIP, open a terminal and go in the folder where you downloaded the tar file and compile using the following commands (example for SIP 4.9.3):
  

Macintosh:$  tar xvzf sip-4.9.3.tar.gz
Macintosh:$  cd sip-4.9.3
Macintosh:sip-4.9.3$  python configure.py
Macintosh:sip-4.9.3$  make
Macintosh:sip-4.9.3$  make install

• Download PyQt and run the following commands to decompress and compile PyQt (example for PyQt 4.6.2):

Macintosh:$  tar xvzf PyQt-mac-gpl-4.6.2.tar.gz
Macintosh:$  cd PyQt-mac-gpl-4.6.2
Macintosh:PyQt-mac-gpl-4.6.2$  python configure.py
Macintosh:PyQt-mac-gpl-4.6.2$  make
Macintosh:PyQt-mac-gpl-4.6.2$  make install

• Download GNS3 source from here or the development version and start the script named gns3.

Method 2

This method can take a few hours as everything is compiled but this is the most flexible as you can switch between dependencies versions very easily.

• Download and install Mac Ports (you will need the Apple Devs Tools).

• Open a terminal and install GNS3 dependencies.

Macintosh:$ sudo port install python26
Macintosh:$ sudo port install python_select
Macintosh:$ sudo python_select python26
Macintosh:$ sudo port install py26-sip
Macintosh:$ sudo port install py26-pyqt4
Macintosh:$ sudo port install qt4-mac

• Download GNS3 source from here or the development version and start the script named gns3.

Notes about Mac Ports

Optionally, to prevent Mac Ports to install the last version of the dependencies (which may not work properly with GNS3), you can force a specified version with @.


Example:

Macintosh:$ sudo port install py26-sip @4.9.3_0
Macintosh:$ sudo port install py26-pyqt4 @4.6.2_0
Macintosh:$ sudo port install qt4-mac @4.5.3_0

Also, let say you have installed the latest version of Qt but this one doesn’t work very well with GNS3, you can revert back to your previous Qt version using the command sudo port activate qt4-mac @version_number. This will automatically deactivate the current version of Qt and activate the one you want.