Here are instructions to install GNS3 from the sources (not the standalone compiled DMG version) on your favorite operating system. 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 librairies 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):

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

• Download GNS3 source from our website 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 dependencie versions very easilly.

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

• Open a terminal and install GNS3 dependencies.

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

Notes about MacPorts

Optionnaly, to prevent MacPorts to install the last version of the dependencies (which may not work properly with GNS3), you can force a specified version with @.
Example:
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 comand sudo port activate qt4-mac @version_number. This will automatically deactivate the current version of Qt and activate the one you want.