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Getting started

This comprehensive guide will walk you through setting up a network simulation environment using Netbox, Containerlab, and Netreplica.

Prerequisites:

Steps:

1. Installing Netbox:

Netbox is a centralized platform for network infrastructure management, providing detailed documentation of devices, IP addresses, and physical connections. It allows the creation of configuration templates using Jinja2, facilitating automation and standardization in the configuration of devices such as routers and switches. This capability is essential for maintaining organized network simulation environments ready to scale as needed.

  • Official Documentation: NetboxLabs
  • Installation Guide: NetBox Installation and Imports
  • Summary:
    • Make sure you have Docker installed on your machine.
    • Download the official Netbox repository to your machine.
    • Configure Netbox by accessing the .env file.
    • Run the compose file.

2. Installing Containerlab:

Containerlab is responsible for simplifying the creation and management of complex network topologies using Docker containers. It allows defining and interconnecting virtualized network devices efficiently, facilitating the configuration of simulation and network testing environments. This Docker-based approach simplifies the replication of real-world environments in virtual labs, providing flexibility and scalability in network infrastructure configuration.

  • Official Documentation: Containerlab
  • Summary:
    • Install Docker and Docker Compose.
    • Download the Containerlab binary and add it to your PATH.

3. Installing Netreplica:

Netreplica synchronizes data from Netbox into simulation environments using Docker containers. It allows testing configurations without affecting the production environment, ensuring data and configuration consistency between different network scenarios.

4. Configuring and Running NetReplica with Netbox:

Now we will detail the configuration process to integrate Netreplica with Netbox. This step is crucial to ensure that Netbox data and configurations are replicated correctly in simulation or test environments using Netreplica.

  • Official Documentation: Netreplica how to use
  • Configuration Guide: NetReplica Configuration Guide
  • Summary:
    • Create an API token in Netbox for Netreplica.
    • Configure Netreplica to use the API token and Netbox URL.
    • Start Netreplica and verify that it is synchronizing with Netbox.

5. Creating and Configuring Templates in Netbox:

Device configuration templates are essential to provide the necessary configurations to Netreplica, which will later be applied to network simulations.