Side by side
Common Open Research Emulator (CORE) vs PNETLab
Both stand on network simulation software. Which one you can start free with, which one lets you read the code, and what each costs once you pay.
Free plan APILinuxSelf-hosted
CORE offers GUI-based and scripted real-time network emulation, including connections to physical networks and hardware-in-the-loop operation. It is free, but requires Linux and the documented supporting components.
Visit Common Open Research Emulator (CORE) Free plan LinuxMacSelf-hosted+2
PNETLab offers lab-running and sharing tools with both online and offline modes. Check the offline account and Store-lab limits, and note that device images may need to be supplied separately.
Visit PNETLabThe facts
| Common Open Research Emulator (CORE) | PNETLab | |
|---|---|---|
| Free plan | Yes | Yes |
| Open source | Not published | Not published |
| Runs on | API, Linux, Self-hosted | Linux, Mac, Self-hosted, Web, Windows |
| Lowest paid plan | Not published | Free or on request |
| Plans published | None | 1 |
| Maker | Not published | Not published |
| Website | nrl.navy.mil | pnetlab.com |
| On network simulation software | #12 of 31 | #16 of 31 |
Common Open Research Emulator (CORE): what it does well
- Emulates networks in real time and connects to physical networks.
- Supports distributed operation and hardware-in-the-loop.
- GUI supports topology creation and terminal launches.
- gRPC API and Python modules enable system interaction and scripting.
- Free and open source under BSD-2-Clause.
What to know first
- Runs on Linux.
- Requires Linux kernel 3.3 or later and Python 3.10 or later.
- GUI and additional supporting tools are required.
PNETLab: what it does well
- Free labs cover networking, databases, and systems
- Labs support unlimited nodes
- Includes Docker integration and Wireshark capture
- Offline mode requires no internet or registration
What to know first
- Offline mode is limited to 10 accounts
- Offline mode supports only Store labs marked Open
- Native console requires client packages
- Required IOS images must be supplied
Alternatives to Common Open Research Emulator (CORE) Alternatives to PNETLab The whole list