Containerlab vs NetSim by Tetcos

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.

NetSim by Tetcos is a packet-level, discrete-event simulator and emulator for wired and wireless communication networks. It models end-to-end 5G and 6G systems with gNB, UE, 5G Core, MIMO, beamforming, network slicing, and configurable propagation. Each 5G stack layer includes C source code that users can modify for custom protocols, while an external Python interface supports automation, AI/ML workflows, and runtime control. Standard and Pro editions interface with Python, MATLAB, SUMO, and Wireshark. The Emulator connects simulations with real hardware and live applications, applying configured delay, loss, and error conditions. NetSim Cyber adds network and attack emulation for power-system cyber-physical testbeds and interfaces with listed power-system tools. Licensing can remain local through on-premises floating deployment, and cloud licensing exchanges only handshake data. NetSim runs on Windows; emulator setup specifies a dedicated Windows 10 or 11 machine.