Containerlab
Containerlab is a free, open-source command-line tool for building and operating container-based networking labs. Lab topology files describe the nodes, links, and settings, and CLI commands deploy, inspect, save, graph, or destroy a lab. Supported nodes include containerized and virtual-machine network operating systems from Nokia, Cisco, Juniper, Arista, and other vendors and projects. The listed platforms include Nokia SR Linux and SR OS, Cisco XRd and Nexus 9000v, Juniper cRPD and vMX, as well as Arista, SONiC, Cumulus VX, VyOS, FRR, VPP, FreeBSD, OpenBSD, OpenWRT, Linux containers, and generic VMs. Containerlab can launch VM-based routers through vrnetlab or boxen; Clabernetes can run Containerlab-style topologies on Kubernetes. Optional interfaces include a VS Code extension, desktop app, and web app. Desktop and web interfaces connect to a reachable clab-api-server, which performs lab and related host operations on Linux. The project describes using its single binary and topology definitions in CI systems such as GitLab CI and GitHub Actions. Requirements include a Linux server or VM, Docker, and sudo privileges for some operations.
Who it is for
Containerlab suits network engineers who want to define and operate labs as topology files, including in CI workflows. It also fits users who need to work with supported virtual-machine and container network operating systems.
What is good
- Free and open source under BSD-3-Clause.
- Topology files define nodes, links, and settings.
- Supports a wide range of network platforms.
- Offers CLI lifecycle commands and optional graphical interfaces.
- Can launch labs in GitLab CI and GitHub Actions.
What to know first
- Requires a Linux server or VM and Docker.
- Some operations require sudo privileges.
- Sudo-less setup can grant group members root-level privileges.
Verdict
Containerlab offers a topology-as-code workflow for creating network labs across supported container and VM platforms. It requires a Linux host environment and Docker, and users should note the elevated privileges involved in its optional sudo-less setup.
Containerlab plans and pricing
All plansCompared on network simulation software
- Deployment
- self_hosted
- Configuration management
- Yes
- Workflow orchestration
- Yes
- Network testing
- Yes
- Supported platforms
- Nokia SR Linux/SR OS/SR-SIM, Cisco XRd/XRv/XRv9k/CSR1000v/Nexus 9000v/Catalyst 9000v/IOL/ASAv/FTDv, Juniper cRPD/cSRX/vMX/vQFX/vSRX/vJunos, Arista, SONiC, Cumulus VX, VyOS, FRR, VPP, FreeBSD, OpenBSD, OpenWRT, Linux containers, generic VMs, and more
