Professionals and students in networking and cybersecurity have found NETinVM to be an innovative solution that removes traditional barriers to hands-on learning. This educational tool allows the creation of a complete network lab within a single virtual machine, providing a safe and realistic environment for experimentation.
A full lab in one virtual machine
NETinVM (NETwork in Virtual Machine), developed by Carlos Pérez and David Pérez from the University of Valencia, marks a significant advancement in tech education. It encapsulates an entire virtual network within one host machine, eliminating the need for extra hardware or risking the security of real networks.
The system architecture is based on a host machine that offers essential services like DHCP, DNS, and NTP. On top of this, three interconnected virtual networks are deployed: an external network simulating the Internet, a demilitarized zone (DMZ) with exposed HTTP/HTTPS and FTP servers, and a protected internal corporate network. A firewall/router manages traffic between these networks, allowing for advanced security rule configuration.
Versatility for various learning scenarios
The tool is versatile across different educational and professional contexts. Students can practice firewall configurations using iptables or nftables, set up VPNs, analyze traffic with Wireshark or tcpdump, and simulate controlled attacks to study defense mechanisms.
For instructors, NETinVM enables demonstrations in class without relying on complex infrastructure. Professionals, on the other hand, find this environment helpful for testing configurations safely before deploying them in production.
Availability and technical features
NETinVM is available in two main versions: for VMware and for KVM/Libvirt. The latest version, released on December 29, 2022, runs Debian 11 as the base OS and includes improvements such as using “virtiofs” for sharing directories among VMs and KSM (Kernel Same-page Merging) to optimize memory usage.
The compressed download files are around 4.3 GB and can be found on the official University of Valencia website. Installation is straightforward: just download the appropriate file for your virtualization platform and import it directly.
Impact on tech education
Adopting NETinVM has transformed how network and security technologies are taught and learned. Its practical approach allows users to experiment with complex configurations without the cost and technical limitations of traditional labs.
The tool has proven especially valuable in academic settings with limited hardware resources and in companies needing to train staff on network technologies without disrupting production services.
Frequently Asked Questions
What hardware requirements does NETinVM have?
NETinVM requires at least 4 GB of available RAM and hardware virtualization support (Intel VT-x or AMD-V) enabled in the BIOS. For optimal performance, 8 GB of RAM and multi-core processors are recommended. The uncompressed file size is approximately 10 GB.
Can the network configuration be customized?
Yes, NETinVM allows full customization of the network setup. Users can change IP ranges, add new virtual machines, modify firewall rules, and create custom network topologies. Official documentation provides detailed guides for these modifications.
What are the differences between the VMware and KVM versions?
Both versions provide the same core functionality. VMware is more compatible with Windows and macOS environments, while KVM/Libvirt is optimized for Linux systems. The choice depends on the hypervisor available on the host machine.
How to fix the “Virtualized Intel VT-X/EPT is not supported” error?
This error indicates nested virtualization is not correctly enabled. The solution involves verifying that virtualization is activated in the physical system’s BIOS and, if necessary, enabling nested virtualization support in the primary hypervisor. Official documentation offers detailed instructions to resolve this common issue.