Freedom251 › Network Simulation Software
Kathará
What Kathará is
Kathará is a free, open-source network emulation system for lessons, demonstrations, production-network sandbox testing, and protocol development. It models network devices as containers connected through virtual Layer-2 LANs, with Docker or Kubernetes available as the backend. Built-in images include Quagga, FRRouting, Bind, P4, and OpenVSwitch, and users can also use their own container images. A Python package provides APIs for custom code. Supported systems include Linux, macOS on Intel or Apple Silicon, and Windows 10 and 11; Debian and Ubuntu installations are available through apt, with precompiled packages for other listed distributions. Kathará depends on Docker by default, and rootless Docker and Podman are unsupported. Settings include IPv6, terminal behavior, volume mounts, and Docker or Kubernetes connection parameters. The project lists version 3.8.3 as receiving security patches. Suspected vulnerabilities can be reported by issue or email, with a stated response within 48 hours.
Who it suits
Kathará suits educators, students, and network developers who need interactive network scenarios, as well as teams sandbox-testing production networks. Users need to account for its Docker dependency and unsupported rootless Docker and Podman.
What it does well
- Free open-source software with no usage limits stated.
- Runs scenarios with Docker or Kubernetes.
- Users can supply their own container images.
- Python APIs support custom code.
- Supports Linux, macOS, and Windows 10 and 11.
What to know first
- Depends on Docker by default.
- Rootless Docker and Podman are unsupported.
- Security patches are listed for version 3.8.3.
Limits
The free open-source plan is listed as free, with no usage limits stated. Security patches are released only for the last version; version 3.8.3 is listed as supported.
Plans
| Plan | Billed and limits | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Free open-source software | No paid plans or usage limits stated | Free |
As kathara.org lists them, read 4 Oct 2026. The maker's own page has the final word.
Getting started
- Visit the Kathará website.
- Choose a supported Linux, macOS, or Windows platform.
- On Debian or Ubuntu, install through apt; other listed Linux distributions have precompiled packages.
- Use Docker by default, or configure a Kubernetes backend for network scenarios.
- Use the built-in network images or provide your own container images.
Verdict
Kathará supports teaching, sandbox testing, and protocol development across several operating systems and backend options. Its Docker requirement and stated patch coverage are important considerations for deployment.
Questions
How much does Kathará cost?
The free open-source plan is listed as free. No paid plans or usage limits are stated.
Which platforms does Kathará support?
It supports Linux, macOS with Intel or Apple Silicon, and Windows 10 and 11. Debian and Ubuntu installations are available through apt, with precompiled packages for other listed distributions.
Is Kathará open source?
Yes. Kathará is an open-source system, and its plan is listed as free.
Can Kathará use Kubernetes?
Yes. Network scenarios can use Docker or Kubernetes as the backend virtualization system.
Does Kathará provide an automation API?
Yes. Its PyPI package provides Python APIs for using Kathará features from custom code.
What does Kathará require to run?
Kathará depends on Docker by default. Rootless Docker and Podman are unsupported.
Facts from Kathará's own pages
- Configuration options
- Settings include IPv6 enablement, terminal behavior, volume-mount policy, remote Docker connection details, and Kubernetes API connection parameters. · kathara.org, 4 Oct 2026
- Deployment backends
- Network scenarios can run using Docker or Kubernetes as the backend virtualization system. · kathara.org, 4 Oct 2026
- Headquarters
- Rome, Italy · kathara.org, 28 Sept 2026
- Intended users
- The project says it is used in courses and projects and describes use in teaching, production-network sandbox testing, and protocol development. · github.com, 4 Oct 2026
- Linux distribution support
- Debian and Ubuntu installations are available through apt, with precompiled packages for other listed distributions. · kathara.org, 4 Oct 2026
- Network images
- Built-in images include Quagga, FRRouting, Bind, P4, and OpenVSwitch, and users can also use their own container images. · github.com, 4 Oct 2026
- Network model
- It emulates network devices as containers interconnected by virtual Layer-2 LANs. · kathara.org, 4 Oct 2026
- Operating systems
- The download page lists Linux distributions, macOS with Intel or Apple Silicon, and Windows 10 and 11 as supported platforms. · kathara.org, 4 Oct 2026
- Operational requirement
- Kathará depends on Docker by default and its troubleshooting page says rootless Docker and Podman are unsupported. · github.com, 4 Oct 2026
- Purpose
- Kathará is an open-source container-based network emulation system for interactive lessons and demos, sandbox testing of production networks, and network protocol development. · kathara.org, 4 Oct 2026
- Python APIs
- The PyPI package provides programmatic APIs for using Kathará features from custom code. · kathara.org, 4 Oct 2026
- Security patch coverage
- The security policy says patches are released only for the last version and lists version 3.8.3 as supported. · github.com, 4 Oct 2026
- Security reporting
- The security policy asks users to report suspected vulnerabilities by issue or email and says a response will arrive within 48 hours. · github.com, 4 Oct 2026
- Support channel
- The project directs bug reports to its GitHub repository and security-relevant reports to the Kathará mailing list. · kathara.org, 4 Oct 2026
Where Kathará stands on Freedom251
- Network Simulation Software#8 of 31