# BGP Labs: Graceful Degradation for Unsupported Devices

DevFeed: [BGP Labs: Graceful Degradation for Unsupported Devices](<https://devfeed.tech/articles/bgp-labs-graceful-degradation-for-unsupported-devices-11358.md>)

Original publisher: [Read original article](<https://blog.ipspace.net/2026/04/bgp-labs-graceful-degradation/>)

Published: 2026-04-15T05:59:00Z

Content type: article

Language: en

Sources: [ipSpace.net blog](<https://devfeed.tech/sources/ipspace-net-blog.md>)

Topics: [BGP](<https://devfeed.tech/topics/bgp.md>), [Network](<https://devfeed.tech/topics/network.md>), [Testing](<https://devfeed.tech/topics/testing.md>), [Integration testing](<https://devfeed.tech/topics/integration-testing.md>)

Tags: [bgp](<https://devfeed.tech/tags/bgp.md>), [devices](<https://devfeed.tech/tags/devices.md>), [integration-testing](<https://devfeed.tech/tags/integration-testing.md>), [netlab](<https://devfeed.tech/tags/netlab.md>), [network](<https://devfeed.tech/tags/network.md>), [testing](<https://devfeed.tech/tags/testing.md>)

## AI overview

The article explains how netlab's online BGP labs handle unsupported device capabilities. A generic plugin adjusts lab topologies and validation tests based on available features, allowing affected labs to start with warnings and explanations instead of failing immediately.

## Source excerpt

A few weeks ago, I described the changes in the online BGP labs that allow you to use most of the common network operating systems as "external" routers1. However, while we keep improving it, netlab still can't configure all BGP features on all supported devices (PRs from Nokia and Mikrotik fans would be highly appreciated 😎), which means that it's possible to configure your environment in a way where some of the more complex labs would simply fail to start. The limited choice of devices for external routers was always well-documented (example), but if you insisted on using unsupported devices, the lab would fail to start with an error message, and you'd have to tweak the lab topology (example). Wouldn't it be better to start the lab with a warning? Read more ...