Hi all,

I am setting up intrustion to config a pen testing lab http://www.securityaegis.com/network-pentest-lab/ I have downloaded vmware server but it does not have the virtual network editor. Has anyone else has this problem ? any fixes ?

Many thanks
James

I'm a fan of workstation as I use it for malware analysis, but I get to expense the license.  If cost is a concern I'd suggest looking at virtualbox. 

http://www.virtualbox.org/manual/ch03.html#settings-network

Hi,

Thanks will look into workstation

Thanks for all the good advice one more question what Operating system should a good pen tester have in his/her lab.

xp pro sp2
xp pro sp3 ?
Vista prem sp1/ sp2 ??
vista business sp1/ sp2 ?
Windoes 7 pro?
windows 7 ultimate
any help be nice please

I'm still learning. But my lab is setup as follows:
Linux for the Host OS (Virtual Box on top of it)
Windows XP SP2 unpatched
Windows XP SP3 patched
Backtrack4
Fedora 12 missing patches

I'm sure once I get further in Grendel's book (Professional Penetration Testing), it'll look different.

Your lab will certainly grow probably to include Solaris, BSD eventually.  I have them but haven't tested against them yet.  I also came across Vyatta the other day which is cool to simulate pen testing a router 

You like vyatta then?  I downloaded it the other day but havent had a chance to really look at it. 

I will have to say that Virtualbox is great if you are looking to setup a lab.  It is very easy to manage and if you aren't able to have a box connected to the internet, say at work sometimes, Virtualbox is great because you dont need to consistently download GuestAdditions for Virtualbox, which you need to download VMWare tools everytime for VMware player, and in just my opinion VMWare Player is not as good as Virtualbox because it is just not as easy to manage a bunch of systems running at the same time as in Virtualbox, just my opinion......ok I will get off my soapbox now.