.NET File Extension

A NET file contains a project created by netViz Enterprise software, which is a set of programs used to visualize business-related data. It stores information about a project, which includes data and the graphical representation of the data. NET files are often used for diagraming business models and IT infrastructures.

You most likely will only encounter netViz NET project files if you work in a business setting and use netViz to visualize data related to large information systems. The software was used in the 1990s and 2000s but is no longer developed. Therefore, NET files are rather obscure nowadays.

NET project files are the main file type associated with netViz and can only be created and opened with the program. The file type is the most well known among netViz users since the files store saved projects and are opened directly by users when opening projects.

NOTE: Example projects included with netViz software are often called "Global Network.net" or "Global.net."

Module used by FileMaker Pro that enables various types of networking support; "FMTCP32.NET" is used for the TCP/IP protocol and "FMIPX32.net" is used for the IPX/SPX protocol; both files are typically installed with the FileMaker application.

A NET file may also be a virtual network configuration file used by Dynagen and Graphical Network Simulator 3 (GNS3). It contains a plain text description of the virtual servers, ports, and routers to be included in a Dynagen or GNS3 network. NET files are used alongside Dynamips, a Cisco router emulation application, to create virtual networks.

Dynamips is a Cisco router emulation software that allows network engineers and administrators to configure and connect to virtual copies of Cisco routers. Dynagen is a command-line program that allows engineers and administrators to build entire virtual networks atop Dynamips' virtual routers.

To create a network, engineers and administrators must define the network's included servers, ports, routers, and other settings in a Dynamips NET file. These files are plain text files saved with the .net extension. In addition to specifying the server, port, and router settings, users must also specify the path to their Cisco router disk image and the location at which to save their network's working files.

GNS3 is a GUI-based frontend that allows network engineers and administrators (and often, those preparing to become engineers or administrators) to create Dynagen-style virtual networks without interacting with the command line. GNS3 also uses NET files to specify and load network configurations.

Because NET files are plain text files, you can open and edit them using any text editor, such as Notepad (Windows), TextEdit (Mac), or Atom (multiplatform).

After you've finished configuring your NET file (and assuming you have installed Dynagen), you can double-click the file during the Dynagen network setup process to create your Dynagen network.