Ubuntu 20.04 Docker image – Python For Network Engineers

This is an updated Docker image of Python For Network Engineers (PFNE) based on Ubuntu 20.04 (minimal server distro).

It contains all necessary tools for network / devops engineers to test automation and learn Python:

Openssl
Net-tools
IPutils
IProute
IPerf
TCPDump
NMAP
Python 2
Python 3
Paramiko
Netmiko
Ansible
Pyntc
NAPALM
Netcat
Socat

If you notice a missing package which could be a value added for the scope of the Ubuntu PFNE image, please let me know in comments below.

Before testing the new Ubuntu 20.04 PFNE Docker image, please pull it from Docker Hub:

docker pull yotis/ubuntu2004-pfne

To start using it:

docker run -i -t yotis/ubuntu2004-pfne /bin/bash

For more details about how to install, operate and create your own Docker images, please check my older article on How to create your own Docker image.

New Ubuntu 18.04 Docker image – Python For Network Engineers

About one year ago I’ve created the Ubuntu 16.04 PFNE Docker image. It’s time for a new version of the Ubuntu PFNE Docker image to support Network engineers learn Python and test automation.

Recently, Ubuntu announced that on the Ubuntu Docker Hub the 18.04 LTS version is using the minimal image.

With this change when launching a Docker instance using

$ docker run ubuntu:18.04

you’ll have an instance with the latest Minimal Ubuntu.

While this is great, especially if you need to quickly pull an image, the fact stays that it doesn’t have preinstalled the necessary tools to test network automation, learn Python or run some QoS tests using packages like IPerf.

Based on My previous Ubuntu 16.04 PFNE Docker image, I’ve created the same using the new Ubuntu 18.04 LTS minimal image.

It contains all the tools found in Ubuntu 16.04 PFNE:

  • 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

and two new additions:

  • Netcat
  • Socat

I’ve added these two because some blog followers asked me, after reading the Ubuntu image for eve-ng – Python For Network Engineers post, if I can add to image servers installation like web, ftp, etc.

Personally, I don’t think is needed to burden the image with these extra packages. You can have tools like Netcat testing various servers. This is one of the reasons I’ve added Netcat and Socat.

It’s easy for me to add them to this image or future ones (and I’ll do it if I get more requests), however I’m planning some articles on how to do your own Docker images and add whatever packages you need.

While writing this post, time to push it to Docker Hub :)
Docker push

If you want to test the new Ubuntu 18.04 PFNE Docker image, please pull it from Docker Hub:

$ docker pull yotis/ubuntu1804-pfne

To start it use:

$ docker run -i -t yotis/ubuntu1804-pfne /bin/bash

Let me know if you find this useful, happy testing and most important Never Stop Learning!