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WORKSHOP 2

23rd May 2025

Title: Introduction to Containers
Trainer: Anurag Bhatia

Detailed description:

This tutorial covers containers in detail. This would enable attendees to get idea around what are containers, use cases of containers, deploying great opensource software via containers etc.

24th May to 26th May

Title: Building Next-Gen IXP and Segment Routed Networks with Containerlab
Presenters: Thomas Corre, Paresh Khatri and Bastien Claeys, Nokia

3-day workshop

Abstract: The first part of this workshop explores how to use Containerlab to build and simulate an Internet Exchange Point (IXP) and Data Center topology. Participants will deploy an underlay IPv6 addressing scheme and work with key technologies like EVPN and VXLAN to enable scalable, efficient interconnection. The session will cover the fundamentals of peering, including routing policies and security considerations, providing attendees with practical experience in creating and managing IXP topologies. By the end, participants will understand how to leverage Containerlab for building robust, next-gen network infrastructure.

In the second part of the workshop, we will provide a deep-dive into segment routing technology with a combination of detailed theory and practical lab exercises.  The session will cover the fundamentals of SR-MPLS and SRv6 technology, its motivation, and key applications.  Participants will also get hands-on practice with setting up an SR-MPLS network with traffic-engineering and an SRv6 network with FlexAlgo.

For these sessions, we will use the open-source Containerlab tool. This is a beginner-level hands-on workshop that introduces Containerlab, an environment that provides a CLI for orchestrating and managing container-based networking labs. It starts the containers, builds a virtual wiring between them to create lab topologies of users choice and manages labs lifecycle.

These hands-on workshops will cover:

  • Installation
  • Container images (container-native and VM-based NOSes)
  • Topology file
  • Basic lab deployment workflow
  • Connectivity to the nodes
  • Lab lifecycle
  • VM-based lab
  • Sharing the lab
  • Troubleshooting and Wireshark pcaps
  • Exploring the catalog of existing labs

Learning Outcomes

  • Understand advanced technology concepts used in modern DC fabrics, peering environments and WAN networks (Segment Routing, EVPN)
  • Apply knowledge and skills in a Lab as code environment for enhanced productivity through versioning, sharing and collaboration

 

Student Requirements

Participants are advised to bring their own laptop with an SSH client. VMs will be provided for each attendee to have their own isolated environment.

A basic understanding of Docker and network operating systems is also strongly recommended.