# srl-labs/containerlab

container-based networking labs

Repository: https://github.com/srl-labs/containerlab
Canonical: https://ross.abutalabs.com/products/containerlab
Homepage: https://containerlab.dev
Language: Go
License: BSD-3-Clause
License Family: permissive
Topics: srlinux, containers, networking, network-automation, ceos, networking-labs, lab-topologies, labs, sonic, lab-orchestration, containerlab
Last push: 2026-08-26T17:34:43+00:00

## Health v2 (maintenance only)
Score: 99/100 (v2, computed 2026-09-02T17:46:02.011165+00:00)
- activity 99, release rhythm 98, longevity 100
- inputs: {"age_days": 2196, "days_push": 7, "days_rel": 12, "gap_med": 11, "n_releases_24m": 44}
- flags: none
- formula: round(0.45*activity + 0.35*rhythm + 0.20*longevity); archived -> min(score, 10)

## Adoption (not part of the score)
Stars 2778, forks 490 (observed 2026-08-28T04:07:21.539057+00:00)

## What it is
Containerlab is a CLI tool for orchestrating container-based networking labs. It deploys containerized Network Operating Systems, wires them into user-defined topologies, and manages the lab lifecycle.

## Use cases
- spin up a virtual network lab with routers and switches in containers
- test network designs with Nokia SR Linux and Arista cEOS before deploying
- create point-to-point links between containerized network OSes
- emulate a multi-vendor topology with Cisco, Juniper, and SONiC nodes
- practice network automation against realistic lab topologies
- run containerlab topologies on Kubernetes with clabernetes

## When to choose
- you need virtual wiring between containerized network OSes that docker-compose can't provide
- you want to test network features and designs on a Linux server with Docker
- you need to launch VM-based routers via vrnetlab alongside containers

## When to avoid
- you need a general-purpose container orchestration platform rather than networking labs
- you run on macOS or Windows natively without a Linux VM, since containerlab requires Linux with Docker
- you need production network emulation with high-fidelity ASIC behavior

## Facets
- artifact type: cli-tool
- maturity: active
- function: cli, container-orchestration, networking, deployment, developer-tools
- domain: networking, developer-tools
- platform: cli, go
- tags: network-labs, network-os, topology-orchestration, srlinux, ceos, sonic, vrnetlab, clabernetes, network-simulation, devops, containers, automation, linux, docker

## Member repositories
- srl-labs/containerlab (main) score 99

## Provenance
- Observed fields: from GitHub, fetched 2026-08-28T04:07:21.539057+00:00.
- Health v2: computed from the inputs above; adoption is never an input.
- Inferred fields (summary, facets, guidance): AI-extracted, prompt v1, taxonomy v1, on 2026-08-30T08:16:30.655607+00:00, confidence not recorded.
  - readme: https://github.com/srl-labs/containerlab (fetched 2026-08-28T04:07:21.539057+00:00, sha 8bdc44b895c5)
  - homepage: https://containerlab.dev (fetched 2026-08-29T09:55:41.813418+00:00, sha b757313f5b49)
  - site_page: https://containerlab.dev/install (fetched 2026-08-29T09:55:41.822240+00:00, sha 3b786a770ad0)
  - site_page: https://containerlab.dev/quickstart (fetched 2026-08-29T09:55:41.824324+00:00, sha 03a59e060d44)
- Data as of 2026-08-30T08:39:29.467469+00:00.