# BGP Labs: Use Your Preferred Device for External Routers

DevFeed: [BGP Labs: Use Your Preferred Device for External Routers](<https://devfeed.tech/articles/bgp-labs-use-your-preferred-device-for-external-routers-11340.md>)

Original publisher: [Read original article](<https://blog.ipspace.net/2026/03/bgp-labs-device-flexibility/>)

Published: 2026-03-31T05:34:00Z

Content type: release

Language: en

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

Topics: [BGP](<https://devfeed.tech/topics/bgp.md>), [networking](<https://devfeed.tech/topics/networking.md>), [Network](<https://devfeed.tech/topics/network.md>), [configuration](<https://devfeed.tech/topics/configuration.md>)

Tags: [bgp](<https://devfeed.tech/tags/bgp.md>), [github](<https://devfeed.tech/tags/github.md>), [netlab](<https://devfeed.tech/tags/netlab.md>)

## AI overview

Online BGP Labs now supports Aruba CX, Cisco IOS, Cisco IOS XE, Cisco IOS XR, Dell OS10, Junos, and VyOS as external devices in most exercises. The update uses netlab Generic Routing features, allowing users to run nearly all labs with a single familiar network operating system.

## Source excerpt

TL&DR: With the recent changes to online BGP labs, you can also use Aruba CX, Cisco IOS, Cisco IOS XE, Cisco IOS XR, Dell OS10, Junos, or VyOS as external lab devices in most lab exercises (you could always use these devices for the routers you worked on). Previously, you could choose between Arista EOS and FRRouting, both of which are (obviously) still supported. One of the goals of the Online BGP Labs project was to create an environment in which you could practice the BGP features you were interested in without spending an inordinate amount of time preparing the lab. For example, if you want to figure out why BGP wedgies work the way they do, you need at least four additional autonomous systems, two of them acting as upstream ISPs for your customer router, and at least one of them implementing BGP policies using BGP communities. Read more ...