Containerlab Free plan 8.9 Visit Cloonix
clownix.net
What it is
Cloonix is a free, AGPLv3 suite of C software components for creating virtual networks with KVM-based virtual machines and containers. It runs as a user-land application on a Linux distribution, with a web platform also listed. Users assemble machines, containers, and network items, connect them through Open vSwitch bridges, and view the topology on a graphical canvas. Virtual machines use QEMU-KVM; crun containers can use ZIP files or directories as root filesystems. Elements include NAT, host TAP and physical interfaces, links between Cloonix networks, and packet transit for dropping, shaping, or delaying traffic. The project names Open vSwitch, crun, QEMU-KVM, SPICE, and Wireshark as key components. A Wireshark spy can display or save captures on supported interfaces but is not the complete Wireshark application. Wi-Fi emulation uses vwifi and iw. Installation offers a privileged bundle or cloonix-toy without root requirements. The homepage lists version 53.01, dated November 4, 2025.
Spec sheet
- Purpose
- Cloonix is a KVM based virtual network creation framework.Read 4 Oct 2026 · clownix.net
- Integrations
- The documentation names Open vSwitch, crun, QEMU-KVM, SPICE, and Wireshark as key external components.Read 4 Oct 2026 · clownix.net
- License
- The documentation describes Cloonix as an AGPLv3 suite of C software components.Read 4 Oct 2026 · clownix.net
- Host platform
- The project README describes Cloonix as a user-land application that needs a Linux distribution to run.Read 4 Oct 2026 · github.com
- Inspection
- Users can open a Wireshark spy for supported interfaces, which can display or save packet captures but is not the complete Wireshark application.Read 4 Oct 2026 · clownix.net
- Installation choices
- The project offers a bundle installation requiring administrative privileges and a cloonix-toy installation that does not require root or administrator privileges.Read 4 Oct 2026 · clownix.net
- Maintainer
- The official homepage lists Vincent Perrier and provides the contact address [email protected].Read 4 Oct 2026 · clownix.net
- Network elements
- Its documented network items include NAT, host TAP and physical interfaces, links between Cloonix networks, and a packet transit item for dropping, shaping, or delaying traffic.Read 4 Oct 2026 · clownix.net
- Network topology
- Users create networks from virtual machines, containers, and other items linked through Open vSwitch bridges, and view the topology on a graphical canvas.Read 4 Oct 2026 · clownix.net
- Release
- The official homepage lists version 53.01 dated November 4, 2025 as the latest version.Read 4 Oct 2026 · clownix.net
- Remote access
- The documentation says the server connection is a TCP stream protected by a password.Read 4 Oct 2026 · clownix.net
- Virtualization
- Cloonix supports QEMU-KVM virtual machines and crun containers using ZIP files or directories as root filesystems.Read 4 Oct 2026 · clownix.net
- Wi-Fi emulation
- The documentation says Wi-Fi emulation uses vwifi between QEMU-KVM machines and the iw command to place a physical interface in a container namespace.Read 4 Oct 2026 · clownix.net
Plans and prices
Cloonix Free AGPLv3 software · Linux host required Read 4 Oct 2026 · clownix.net
Strong points and limits
Strong points
- Creates topologies with VMs, containers, and bridges
- Supports QEMU-KVM and crun
- Includes packet dropping, shaping, and delaying
- Provides graphical topology viewing
- Offers installation without root privileges
Limits
- Requires a Linux distribution
- Wireshark spy is not the full application
- Bundle installation needs administrative privileges
- Server connection is password-protected TCP
Who it suits
Cloonix suits Linux users building or inspecting emulated network topologies with virtual machines and containers. It is relevant to setups needing packet manipulation, captures, and server connections.
Verdict
Cloonix provides an open-source Linux framework for assembling, viewing, and manipulating virtual networks. Its component-based design and installation choices suit technical users, but Linux remains a host requirement.
Where Specifiction places it
- Network Simulation Software#10 of 317.9
