Containerlab Free plan 8.9 Visit Mininet
mininet.org
What it is
Mininet is a free network emulator that creates virtual hosts, switches, controllers and links on one machine. Its hosts run standard Linux network software on the real Linux kernel and network stack, while switches support OpenFlow. The project describes uses including research, development, learning, prototyping, testing and debugging, including experiments with SDN systems using OpenFlow and P4. A topology-aware and OpenFlow-aware command-line interface supports debugging and network-wide tests. Users can select parameterized topologies or create custom ones, and an extensible Python API supports network creation and experimentation. Mininet networks can connect to real networks, and code developed in Mininet can move to real systems with minimal changes. Installation options include a pre-packaged virtual machine, native installation from source and packages for recent Ubuntu or Debian 11 and later; Fedora support is experimental. Mininet depends on the Linux kernel, while its VM can run through VMware or VirtualBox on Mac, Windows and Linux. Its networks are constrained by a single server's CPU and bandwidth, and it cannot currently run non-Linux-compatible OpenFlow switches or applications. Mininet is released under a permissive BSD open source license.
Spec sheet
- What it does
- Mininet is a network emulator that creates virtual hosts, switches, controllers, and links on one machine.Read 5 Oct 2026 · mininet.org
- Intended users
- The project describes Mininet as useful for development, teaching, and research.Read 5 Oct 2026 · mininet.org
- Deployment
- Mininet networks can connect to real networks, and code developed in Mininet can move to real systems with minimal changes.Read 5 Oct 2026 · mininet.org
- Integrations
- The recommended Mininet VM includes OpenFlow binaries and tools, and Mininet supports Open vSwitch and multiple OpenFlow controllers.Read 5 Oct 2026 · mininet.org
- Support
- The project directs users to its FAQ, documentation, and mininet-discuss mailing list for support and discussion.Read 5 Oct 2026 · mininet.org
- License
- Mininet is released under a permissive BSD open source license.Read 5 Oct 2026 · mininet.org
- CLI
- Its topology-aware and OpenFlow-aware CLI can be used for debugging and network-wide tests.Read 5 Oct 2026 · mininet.org
- Compatibility
- The download page describes VM installation and native installation from source, with Ubuntu and Debian recommended and Fedora supported experimentally.Read 5 Oct 2026 · mininet.org
- Installation options
- The project offers a pre-packaged VM, native installation from source, and packages for recent Ubuntu or Debian 11 and later.Read 5 Oct 2026 · mininet.org
- Integration and protocols
- Mininet is presented as a way to experiment with SDN systems using OpenFlow and P4.Read 5 Oct 2026 · mininet.org
- Limitations
- Mininet networks cannot exceed the CPU or bandwidth available on a single server, and it cannot currently run non-Linux-compatible OpenFlow switches or applications.Read 5 Oct 2026 · mininet.org
- Network behavior
- Mininet hosts run standard Linux network software, and its switches support OpenFlow.Read 5 Oct 2026 · mininet.org
- OpenFlow and SDN
- Mininet switches support OpenFlow for custom routing and software-defined networking.Read 5 Oct 2026 · mininet.org
- P4
- The project describes Mininet as a way to develop, share, and experiment with SDN systems using OpenFlow and P4.Read 5 Oct 2026 · mininet.org
- Platform requirements
- Mininet depends on the Linux kernel; the project describes its VM as running on VMware or VirtualBox for Mac, Windows, and Linux.Read 5 Oct 2026 · mininet.org
- Project team
- The Mininet 2.3.0 core team is listed as Bob Lantz and the Mininet Contributors.Read 5 Oct 2026 · mininet.org
- Python API
- Mininet provides an extensible Python API for creating networks and experimenting with them.Read 5 Oct 2026 · mininet.org
- Real code
- Mininet runs standard Linux network software and the real Linux kernel and network stack.Read 5 Oct 2026 · mininet.org
- Security and compliance
- The official pages reviewed describe the open source license and Linux network namespace requirements but do not state security certifications or compliance claims.Read 5 Oct 2026 · mininet.org
- Security note
- Since Mininet 2.2.2, provided VM images have default SSH keys removed so new keys are generated on first boot.Read 5 Oct 2026 · mininet.org
- Topologies
- Mininet supports custom topologies and includes a basic set of parameterized topologies.Read 5 Oct 2026 · mininet.org
- Topology tools
- It includes a topology-aware and OpenFlow-aware CLI, parametrized topologies, and support for custom topologies.Read 5 Oct 2026 · mininet.org
- Use cases
- Mininet supports research, development, learning, prototyping, testing, and debugging.Read 5 Oct 2026 · mininet.org
Plans and prices
Mininet Free Permissive BSD open source license · Linux kernel required · limited by one server’s CPU and bandwidth Read 5 Oct 2026 · mininet.org
Strong points and limits
Strong points
- Free under a permissive BSD open source license.
- Provides an extensible Python API.
- Supports custom and parameterized topologies.
- Networks can connect to real networks.
- Code can move to real systems with minimal changes.
Limits
- Requires the Linux kernel.
- Capacity is limited by one server's CPU and bandwidth.
- Cannot currently run non-Linux-compatible OpenFlow switches or applications.
- Fedora support is experimental.
Who it suits
Mininet suits developers, researchers and learners working with Linux-based network prototypes or SDN experiments. It is also intended for testing and debugging network behavior on one machine.
Verdict
Mininet offers a Linux-based way to prototype and experiment with network topologies, including OpenFlow and P4 systems. Its one-server limits and Linux compatibility requirements define the scope of its emulation.
Where Specifiction places it
- Network Simulation Software#3 of 318.5
- Network Testing Software#4 of 338.6
