If you are just starting out, using a Router image with a "Switch Module" added is often easier than emulating a full switch.
For a topology with 5 switches, allocate only per IOU switch. Do not give them 1GB. Use the "Limit memory usage" option (tick it and set to 256).
Finding the right Cisco IOS image for GNS3 can be a bit of a maze. Because Catalyst switches use specialized ASICs that are hard to emulate, you can't just grab any standard switch image and expect it to work in GNS3
| Switch Model | IOS Image Example | Notes | |--------------|------------------|-------| | (L2) | c3725-adventerprisek9-mz.124-25d.bin | Use with 3725 router + NM-16ESW module | | IOSvL2 (L2/L3) | iosv-l2-m-15.2-cml.bin | Modern, supports VLANs, STP, trunking | | L3 Switch | c3560-advipservicesk9-mz-122-55.SE12.bin | Good for multilayer switching labs |