Half-Off-Topic: `wrtlab` - An educational(?) network lab using OpenWrt and BIRD only

[Bernd Naumann]

Dear BIRDies,
Hey all!

I hope it's cool and OK with everyone, that I'd like to share something
with you, which is only kinda half BIRD related.

Half BIRD related?
Because back then, the initially idea came out of a personal need of an
BIRD test lab, which "scales" and is actually usable (for me)...

And existing one...? They didn't float my boat...

So, what's `wrtlab`[1]?

> `wrtlab`, is a framework to build and run virtual OpenWrt network
> environments locally on your GNU/Linux x86/64 within minutes.
>
> It builds virtual x86/64 machine images from scratch using
> the OpenWrt Image Builder; or it just modifies a copy of another
> disk image, using guestfish from libguestfs.
>
> It runs its virtual machines with kvm, via libvirt, using Vagrant and
> its plugin vagrant-libvirt, because its a user friendly wrapper around
> linux kernel virtualisation.

It's written in simple clean pure `bash`.
Easy to follow. No crude hacks or something.

Batteries and (non trivial) examples included:
https://codeberg.org/fde6-a09a-b373/wrtlab/
                                          /Project-Files/

The whole configuration of an "lab environment" is done only via
directory structure and file overwrites. No fancy or silly stuff.
No ansible or puppet, no shell provisioner.
Build and run. (A user might choose to make heavy use of `uci` firstboot
scripts, but that's in the freedom of the user.)

I've have chosen and restricted this tool to OpenWrt (and Linux as an
host OS) only, because I think there is some void to fill...

I wanted to see an "easy to use"/"it just works" environment (that's why
`vagrant`), which teaches networking in general, on OpenWrt as a
specific platform, but mainly while using BIRD.[2]

Easy to use **and** easy to modify and extend.[3]


Why I'm writing you all about this?

1. I hope to find some /proof readers/ and *first time users*.

   Maybe someone even has a bored trainee, who needs something to do ;)

2. I'd like to get some kind of feedback,
    or even happy users others then myself :D


I hope one or another found it informational.
Thanks for your time.
Have a good time!

Best,
Bernd


[1] https://codeberg.org/fde6-a09a-b373/wrtlab
[2] Yes, BIRD3 is available on OpenWrt 25.10
[4] I'm under the impression that a student should be able to break its
tools and be able to understand how they actually work without digging
through 18 layers of abstractions and distractions. I hope that with
simple file and directory structures there is no room for distraction.
-------------- next part --------------
A non-text attachment was scrubbed...
Name: OpenPGP_signature.asc
Type: application/pgp-signature
Size: 228 bytes
Desc: OpenPGP digital signature
URL: <http://trubka.network.cz/pipermail/bird-users/attachments/20260325/6836b0b9/attachment.sig>