# Open-Source Network Simulators (2026 Edition)

DevFeed: [Open-Source Network Simulators (2026 Edition)](<https://devfeed.tech/articles/open-source-network-simulators-2026-edition-11338.md>)

Original publisher: [Read original article](<https://blog.ipspace.net/2026/02/worth-reading-opensource-network-simulators/>)

Published: 2026-02-10T07:09:00Z

Content type: opinion

Language: en

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

Topics: [Network](<https://devfeed.tech/topics/network.md>), [Open Source](<https://devfeed.tech/topics/open-source.md>), [Vagrant](<https://devfeed.tech/topics/vagrant.md>)

Tags: [also](<https://devfeed.tech/tags/also.md>), [netlab](<https://devfeed.tech/tags/netlab.md>), [network](<https://devfeed.tech/tags/network.md>), [open-source](<https://devfeed.tech/tags/open-source.md>), [vagrant](<https://devfeed.tech/tags/vagrant.md>), [worth-reading](<https://devfeed.tech/tags/worth-reading.md>)

## AI overview

The article highlights Brian Linkletter's updated overview of open-source network simulators and emulators. It identifies containerlab and GNS3 as leading options, notes that the original vrnetlab is abandoned, and discusses using netlab primarily with containerlab while gradually phasing out Vagrant support.

## Source excerpt

Brian Linkletter published an updated overview of open-source network simulators and emulators. containerlab and GNS3 are clear leaders (no surprise there) with the original vrnetlab becoming abandonware (fortunately, we have Roman Dodin's fork), which makes me think we should focus on using netlab primarily with containerlab and slowly sunset the Vagrant support, particularly considering some people actively hate the license change. Also, if anyone feels like writing an interface (provider module) between netlab and GNS3, the pull request would be most welcome 😎 Read more ...