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Welcome to the Open Networks project!

This project aims to provide a solid foundation for configuring and simulating networks using modern and efficient tools: NetBox, Netreplica, and Containerlab.

The Open Networks project was developed for networking professionals and enthusiasts who want to:

  • Explore: Test different network configurations in a controlled environment.
  • Automate: Use templates to standardize and automate network device configurations.
  • Replicate: Reproduce real network environments in virtual labs for testing and validation.
  • Manage: Centralize documentation and management of network infrastructures efficiently.

With these tools, the project aims to simplify the creation, management, and documentation of complex network topologies, providing flexibility and scalability.

Containerlab Capabilities

Containerlab is a powerful tool for creating and managing virtualized network labs using Docker containers. With it, you can test and simulate complex network topologies in a controlled environment. The tool supports various network devices, allowing the configuration of multivendor networks, which is ideal for testing interactions between different vendors in the same lab. Below is a list of the main vendors supported by Containerlab: Vendors

Lab Workflow

The flowchart illustrates the Netreplica workflow in the context of a network simulation environment, integrated with Containerlab:

Workflow Netreplica

Workflow Structure

1. Topology

The network topology defines the structure and interconnection of network devices.

2. NetBox

The topology is documented and managed in NetBox, a centralized platform for network infrastructure management. NetBox stores detailed information about devices, IP addresses, and physical connections.

3. Netreplica

Netreplica synchronizes configuration information from NetBox and prepares the data for simulation. It retrieves data via API and generates YAML configuration files needed for simulation.

4. Configurations

Netreplica generates detailed YAML configuration files that describe how network devices should be configured.

5. Containerlab

Containerlab uses the generated configuration files to create and manage complex network topologies in Docker containers.

6. Lab (Docker Stack)

The simulation is executed in a lab environment using a Docker stack. The defined topology is reproduced, allowing tests and validations.

7. Graphite

To monitor and visualize simulation metrics and performance, Graphite is integrated into the lab. It collects and displays relevant data for analysis.

Workflow Summary

  1. Topology Definition: The structure and interconnection of network devices are defined.
  2. Documentation in NetBox: The topology is documented and managed in NetBox.
  3. Synchronization with Netreplica: Netreplica synchronizes information from NetBox via API and generates YAML configurations.
  4. Topology Creation with Containerlab: Containerlab uses YAML configurations to create the network topology in Docker containers.
  5. Simulation Execution: The topology is executed in a Docker lab environment.
  6. Monitoring with Graphite: The simulation's performance and metrics are monitored and visualized with Graphite.

Project Status

Project in progress.

Getting Started

To get started, read the Configuration Guide to learn how to use NetBox, Containerlab, and Netreplica tools together.

Available Labs

  • OSPF Routing - OSPF Configuration Lab based on Juniper's MX platform in a ring topology.
  • Discovery - Network device discovery lab using OSPF and SNMP, integrating Zabbix and NetBox.
  • ELK Monitoring - IPFIX flow monitoring lab using the Elastic Stack (Elasticsearch, Kibana, Fleet Server, and Elastic Agent).
  • Telegraf Monitoring - Traffic flow monitoring lab via Telegraf/IPFIX to InfluxDB.
  • Zabbix Monitoring - Router monitoring lab via SNMP with centralized collection by Zabbix Server.
  • NETCONF Configuration - Device configuration lab via NETCONF.

Tools

  • NetBox: Tool for network infrastructure management
  • Containerlab: Tool for simulating complex network topologies
  • Netreplica: Tool for replicating network environments from NetBox to Containerlab
  • ELK: Stack for monitoring logs and data streams in real-time
  • Edgeshark: Tool for capturing and visualizing network traffic
  • LibreNMS: Tool for monitoring network devices

Contribute

Contribute to the project by clicking here.