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Supported platforms and softwareHardware requirementsHow to installPurchase or rent a server?Next stepsAdditional resources
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Bare Metal → PNETLab

PNETLab on bare metal: How to get started

If you’re diving into advanced network simulations, you’re going to need something more powerful than GNS3 or EVE-NG. That’s where PNETLab shines. It’s fast, flexible, and perfect for building complex topologies with minimal fuss—if you know how to get it up and running.

That’s what we’ll walk through here.

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Supported virtualization platforms and software

PNETLab plays nice with a solid range of platforms. Here’s what it supports officially:

  • VMware Workstation 12.5 or later
  • VMware Player 12.5 or later
  • VMware ESXi 6.0 or later
  • Ubuntu Server 16.04 LTS (bare metal deployment roadmap)
  • Google Cloud Platform

Make sure you’re always checking the official documentation for updates. Platform compatibility can shift as the project evolves.

Hardware requirements for PNETLab

Before spinning up a lab, make sure your hardware checks out. Here’s what you’ll need:

Prerequisites:

  • 64-bit CPU with VT-x or AMD-V support enabled
  • Hardware-assisted virtualization enabled in BIOS
  • VMware or ESXi installed, if using virtual deployment

Minimum requirements:

  • 4 CPU cores
  • 8 GB RAM
  • 128 GB disk space (SSD recommended)

Recommended for smoother labs:

  • 8+ CPU cores (Xeon or Ryzen recommended)
  • 32 GB RAM or more
  • 512 GB NVMe SSD or higher
  • Intel or AMD NIC with good driver support

High-performance network emulation eats up resources fast, especially when you start stacking routers and switches.

How to install PNETLab on a bare metal server

Here’s how to install PNETLab directly on bare metal:

  1. Prepare your server hardware: Make sure it meets or exceeds the minimum specs above, especially for CPU and RAM.
  2. Download Ubuntu Server 16.04 LTS: This version is the current recommended base OS for a native (non-virtualized) install.
  3. Install Ubuntu Server: Go through the standard Ubuntu Server installation process. Opt for OpenSSH during install so you can manage it remotely.
  4. Update the system: Run sudo apt update && sudo apt upgrade -y to ensure the OS is fully patched.
  5. Download the PNETLab installer: Pull the script directly from the PNETLab GitHub or official site. Usually, it’s something like:
    wget https://pnetlab.com/download/pnetlab_install.sh
  6. Run the install script: Make it executable and run it:
    chmod +x pnetlab_install.sh  
    sudo ./pnetlab_install.sh
  7. Complete the web-based setup: After installation, open a browser and point it to your server’s IP. Follow the web UI instructions to finalize setup.
  8. Upload images and start building labs: You’ll need to upload Cisco, Fortinet, or other OS images before building topologies. Image management is done via the web interface.

Bare metal servers: purchase or rent?

If you’re serious about network simulation at scale, bare metal gives you unmatched performance and control. But the real question is: should you build your own server lab, or rent from a hosting provider?

Buying your own gear means upfront cost, physical space, electricity, cooling, and long-term maintenance. That might make sense for hobbyists or very specialized setups, but for most users running labs, demos, or client-facing environments, renting is smarter and more flexible.

Benefits of renting a bare metal server from a trusted hosting provider:

  • Instant provisioning – Get enterprise-grade hardware up and running in minutes, not weeks
  • Fully dedicated resources – No noisy neighbors or shared CPU cycles
  • Enterprise hardware – SSD/NVMe storage, ECC RAM, redundant power, and top-tier CPUs
  • Bandwidth and DDoS protection – Hosting providers offer premium network connectivity with built-in security
  • 24/7 expert support – No need to troubleshoot RAID issues or BIOS updates on your own
  • Remote management tools – Full root access, IPMI/KVM over IP, and automated OS reloads
  • Scalability – Easily upgrade RAM, storage, or switch to a more powerful machine as your lab grows
  • Global data center locations – Deploy closer to your team or clients for better latency

Unless you’re already running a datacenter at home, renting is the faster, cheaper, and more reliable path to running PNETLab at scale.

Additional resources

What is bare metal? →

A complete beginner’s guide to help you understand what it is, how it works, basic terminology, and much more

What is a GPU? →

Another complete beginner’s guide, this time we’re talking all things GPUs.

GPU servers for data analytics →

Benefits, best options, how to choose a server, and more