Containerlab vs EXata Network Modeling
Containerlab
containerlab.dev
EXata Network Modeling
keysight.comSide by side
| Figure | Containerlab | EXata Network Modeling |
|---|---|---|
| Price from | Free | — |
| Free plan | Yes | — |
| Free trial | — | — |
| Open source | Yes | — |
| Web | Yes | — |
| Windows | Yes | Yes |
| macOS | Yes | — |
| Linux | Yes | Yes |
| API | Yes | — |
| Self-hosted | Yes | — |
| Plans published | 2 | 1 |
| Spec score · Network Simulation Software | 8.9 (#1) | 7.3 (#27) |
| Integrations | Containerlab can launch VM based routers through vrnetlab or boxen integration and can run containerlab style topologies on Kubernetes through Clabernetes. | The technical overview says EXata can run live applications across simulated networks and connect models with physical equipment such as servers, computers, radios, and sensors. |
| Platforms | The documentation describes Linux installation, Windows use through WSL, and macOS support on ARM and Intel Macs. | Keysight lists Windows and Linux as EXata download platforms; a current download listing says the software requires a license. |
| Support | The project directs users with questions, ideas, and bug reports to its Discord community. | Keysight links EXata customers to KeysightCare, the Keysight Support Portal, and its Software Download Center for support and software updates. |
| System requirements | The normal installation requires a Linux server or VM, Docker, sudo privileges, and locally available or pullable node images. | The EXata technical overview specifies a 64-bit x86-64 processor, at least 16 GB free memory, and Windows 10 Pro or specified CentOS, RHEL, and Ubuntu versions. |
Plans
In their own words
Containerlab
Containerlab is a command-line tool for orchestrating container-based networking labs. Users describe nodes, links and lab settings in topology files, then use lifecycle commands to deploy, destroy, save, inspect or graph a lab. Supported nodes include containerized and virtual-machine network operating systems from Nokia, Cisco, Juniper, Arista and other vendors and projects. The project lists platforms such as Nokia SR Linux and SR OS, Cisco XRd and Nexus 9000v, Juniper cRPD and vMX, Arista, SONiC, Cumulus VX, VyOS, FRR, VPP, FreeBSD, OpenBSD, OpenWRT, Linux containers and generic VMs. It can launch VM routers through vrnetlab or boxen, and Clabernetes can run Containerlab-style topologies on Kubernetes. Optional interfaces include a VS Code extension, desktop app and web app; desktop and web connect to a reachable clab-api-server on a Linux host. Its single binary and topology definitions can start labs in CI systems such as GitLab CI and GitHub Actions. Containerlab is free and open source. Documented prerequisites include a Linux server or VM, Docker and sudo privileges for some operations.
EXata Network Modeling
EXata Network Modeling has no write-up on Specifiction yet; its figures are above.