Ubuntu image for EVE-NG – Python for network engineers

Lately I’ve started working more and more with EVE-NG to test various network scenarios, automation and in general to try and learn something everyday.

If you’re familiar with EVE-NG, you know where to find various Linux images which you can download and install . Very helpful indeed, however all of them are coming without any pre-installed tools which I need for network oriented tests. I need Python, IPerf, Ansible, various Python libraries for network automation, etc.
Basically every time when I setup a new lab in EVE-NG, I need to make sure that the Linux image has a connection to Internet to download all these tools. Doable, but too much time consuming.

Lately EVE-NG has the Pro version, where you have Docker images which support some of the tools for a network engineer needs to test automation. If you already have EVE-NG Pro, then maybe this is a bit redundant. However if you’re still using the Community version, it may sounds interesting.

I’ve developed the Ubuntu (18.04) image using the same tools that you can find in my Docker image (Ubuntu 16:04 Pfne):
* If you’re not sure what I’m talking about, please read my previous post.

  • Openssl
  • Net-tools (ifconfig..)
  • IPutils (ping, arping, traceroute…)
  • IProute
  • IPerf
  • TCPDump
  • NMAP
  • Python 2
  • Python 3
  • Paramiko (python ssh support)
  • Netmiko (python ssh support)
  • Ansible (automation)
  • Pyntc
  • NAPALM

The image is hosted on my Firstdigest Project at Sourceforge.
If you are in a hurry, download directly using this link: Ubuntu 18.04 Pfne for EVE-NG.

For convenience here are the steps, but if you run into trouble be sure to check the EVE-NG Documentation.

  • Download the image
  • Using favorite SFTP Client (WinSCP, FileZilla) connect to your EVE-NG and upload the image to the location: /opt/unetlab/addons/qemu/
  • Connect via SSH to your EVE-NG machine and go to location:
cd /opt/unetlab/addons/qemu/
  • Unzip your uploaded image file.
tar xzvf linux-ubuntu-server-18.04-pfne.tar.gz
  • Remove the archived image file (be sure to have a copy somewhere to avoid you have to download it again)
rm -f linux-ubuntu-server-18.04-pfne.tar.gz
  • Fix permissions
/opt/unetlab/wrappers/unl_wrapper -a fixpermissions

The image comes with the following predefined username and password (security was not the point here):

User: root
Password: root
User: pfne
Password: pfne

With this image you have everything ready for your tests. You want to test QoS? Just design a network and two (client / server pair) machine using this image and push some packets with IPerf. Or maybe you want to test some automation. Here you have it, just start playing with.

Btw, I assume you have the EVE-NG installed. If not and you’re into learning topics, I’ll advise you to install this great application. You can start with Community version which is free (and honestly has enough features for most of the self-teaching engineers out there) and if you feel like go with the Pro version.

Let me know if you find it useful. In case of problems, please comment and I’ll try to help in my spare time.

Published by

Calin

Calin is a network engineer, with more than 20 years of experience in designing, installing, troubleshooting, and maintaining large enterprise WAN and LAN networks.

26 thoughts on “Ubuntu image for EVE-NG – Python for network engineers”

  1. Can you share how you use these tools you listed? I have it installed on my EVE-ng but not sure how to make use of these tools. I would appreciate it if you can make simple eve-ng topology to demonstrate the use of the tools installed in this image. Thanks!

    1. Hi Zu, I can create a topology and share it, that’s not the problem, but the topic is so broad that it cannot be covered in one or couple of blog posts. It depends what you want to learn.

      QoS? Ok, just create a topology with couple of routers (Cisco, Juniper…whatever you prefer) and at the edge of the network add two Linux hosts using this image. Then you can use IPerf3 to generate traffic while playing with QoS (policing, shaping, prioritizing, etc…) on the routers.

      Automation? The same, add a network topology, one Linux host using this image and start learning Python (with network automation libraries like Netmiko, Paramiko, etc…), Ansible. Here is a good starting point to learn Python for network engineers: https://youtu.be/-1Z6ygHO–8

      Good luck!

  2. Thanks Calin!
    I was looking to test implementing router, switch monitoring configuring SNMPv3. Does this image have SNMP monitoring tool? or Do you know what i can use to do the same on EV-ng environment?

    1. Hi Zu,

      I haven’t installed the snmp server tools on this image. It can be added if really needed.

      HTH,
      Calin

  3. Just installed this image on my new EVE-NG bare metal server & now none of my putty sessions work in my labs. Was working fine before installing the image, have removed your image & rebooted, still not working. Any idea why this has broken putty?

  4. i have installed it follow the given process and my linux machine is able to boot but when i open console of Secure CRT and Putty it is not showing anything. Can you please guide here.

  5. hi! i did all the steps you post but is not working! black image when i click on the linux host

    help!!

  6. I’m sorry for the late reply, personal life topics kept me away from blogging. I’ve just followed the above post from scratch and I’ve encounter no issue whatsoever. I’d like to help, but I’m not sure about your setup. Mostly if there are problems, is due to minor error you may consider irrelevant but can impact the functionality.

  7. I have problem when I start docker imaged Ubuntu 18.04, status show “started” but icon still grey and not running. I’m using eve community version.

  8. Hi Calin, I have the Linux to eve-ng they way you posted here, but the problem I am facing is that the Linux Server starts and stops immediately, Do you know why this happens?

    1. Honestly I don’t, but I would suggest to check the logs. I didn’t encounter this behavior. If you can share more details, I’ll try to help.

  9. Hi Calin,
    tnx for blog/solution – i’ve encountered the same issue here, getting black screen when trying to access shell.
    I have eve-ng community edition v2.0.3-105 on bare metal server.
    i followed your steps twice or more but have no luck.
    could you pls share your edit node configuration, maybe we all missing some kind of config over there.

  10. Hi

    I can you advise the ssh username and password for Ubuntu 18.04 images please. I tried root root to do avail

  11. When i install ubuntu under eve-ng its installed and started ubuntu but unable to get its graphic .Please help me to get the graphic mode

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