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Course description
This workshop provides a practical introduction to Mininet http://mininet.org/, a network emulator that lets you create realistic virtual networks on a single machine. Participants will be able to learn:
- How to install and use Mininet to build virtual networks with different topologies and run networking experiments from the CLI
- How to leverage the Mininet Python API to script custom topologies and automate experiments programmatically
- How to experiment with Software-Defined Networking (SDN) using OpenFlow and P4
- About Mininet extensions such as ContainerNet, DistriNet, and MaxiNet
No prior experience with Mininet is required. Participants should be comfortable with the Linux command line and have basic familiarity with Python and networking concepts.
Target audience
This workshop is recommended for bachelor and master students looking to start experimenting with networks and transport protocols, PhD candidates, researchers and teachers in the networking field, as well as IT staff interested in setting up virtual testbeds to prototype and test their network configurations.
Learning outcomes
- By the end of this workshop, participants will be able to:
- Set up and run Mininet on their own machine
- Create and configure virtual network topologies using the Mininet CLI
- Write Python scripts to build custom topologies and automate network experiments using the Mininet API
- Understand the basics of Software-Defined Networking (SDN) and the OpenFlow protocol
- Program OpenFlow switches using an SDN controller (POX)
- Identify when and how to use Mininet extensions such as ContainerNet, DistriNet, and MaxiNet
Prerequisites
- Level: Beginner to intermediate
- Basic familiarity with the Linux command line
- Basic knowledge of Python programming
- Fundamental understanding of networking concepts (IP addressing, switches, routing)
- No prior experience with Mininet or Software-Defined Networking is required.
Required materials
- A laptop with at least 4 GB of RAM and 10 GB of free disk space
- A virtualization platform installed (e.g., VirtualBox, VMware, or KVM)
- The Mininet VM image https://github.com/mininet/mininet/releases/ (pre-installed with Mininet, Open vSwitch, and all required tools) — alternatively, a native Linux installation (Ubuntu or Debian recommended)
- Internet access (for downloading the VM image and workshop materials)
- An SSH client with X11 forwarding support (e.g., terminal on Linux/macOS, PuTTY + Xming on Windows)
- Detailed setup instructions will be shared with participants before the workshop.
Lunch
- There will be a complementary buffet-lunch at 12:00-13:00 from the Sverdrups spiseri (Georg Sverdrups Hus, 2nd floor).
- After you get your lunch, join us at Store møterom where we have reserved seats for #DSDays2027 participants.
Number of participants
30
Contact
If you have any questions regarding this course, or anything else about the DSDays 2027 event, please contact us per email: digitalscholarship@ub.uio.no