Containerlab vs ns-3

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.

ns-3 is a free, discrete-event network simulator for research and education. It supports simulations of IP and non-IP networks, including wireless work involving Wi-Fi and LTE, and provides a workflow from configuring a simulation through collecting and analyzing traces. A real-time scheduler supports simulation-in-the-loop use, including sending and receiving ns-3 packets on real network devices. Its Direct Code Execution framework can run C or C++ applications or the Linux kernel networking stack within ns-3.

The project is available for Linux, macOS, Windows, and self-hosted use, with desktop deployment listed. It is free software under GNU GPLv2, priced at free. Releases arrive roughly two or three times each year, mainly as compressed source archives. Documentation includes tutorials, installation guidance, model library material, a reference manual, and Doxygen API documentation. NetAnim and Bake are listed as related tools. Support channels include mailing lists, Zulip chat, and the issue tracker; the project says volunteers maintain it without company backing.