DrScriptt2d ago

I’ve started a new project: #TNCLabNet

Some people build model cars.

Some people build model plains.

Some people build model ships … in bottles.

Some people build model trains … with dioramas that fill rooms.

I build … model networks.

TNC Lab Network, or ‘LabNet’, is becoming a real thing.

LabNet is currently specced as:

3 × (international) Headquarters
3 × Regional Offices per HQ
3 × Branch Offices per RO

With a star WAN topology that follows suit.

There will also be:

1 × National ISP per HQ
2 × Regional ISPs per HQ
2 × Local ISPs per RISP

The three NISPs will come together at one network access point (NAP) / internet exchange point (IXP) which I’m calling NAP/IX’

So there will be the enterprise network, and multiple ISP networks all with their own routers, firewalls, and the likes.

Each office will have multiple servers.

Each higher level will be more complex. Regional has email and database servers. Headquarters will have HA clusters therefor.

I plan on incorporating some BIGiron. My P/390-E and iSeries will get a workout.

Yes, that means I’ll be connecting the virtual with the physical.

I want to try to run as many protocols as possible inside the enterprise network. The short list is:

• TCP/IP
• IPX/SPX
• AppleTalk (DDP)
• DECnet
• NetBIOS / SNA

If I can, I’d like to incorporate Banyan Vines and Artisoft LANtastic.

Because why not‽

I’ll tag these posts so you can easily filter them. Evil bit anyone?

Show threadDrScriptt2d ago
If there is an enterprise, or even just business, network technology that you’d think would be cool to see represented in #TNCLabNet, please tag me.
Show threadDrScriptt2d ago

I’m pondering adding an emulated DEC VAX 11/780 as the “”mainframe in one of the corporate headquarters in #TNCLabNet.

I’ve got the IBM hardware.
Maybe an emulated Cray in the third?

Or! Do a super computing specialty location.

But what should I put in the 3rd HQ?

Show threadDrScriptt2d ago

I currently have 37 Cisco 7206VXRs configured in #GNS3 for #TNCLabNet.

That is just the corporate router infrastructure for all three headquarters as well as two sets of three regional offices and nine branch offices plus a test router (think workstation but it’s a router when working in GNS3).

The headquarters are linked in a full mesh of 2 × DS-5 (OC-3 155 at Mbps) Packet over Sonet (POS) full mesh.

Regional offices each have 2 × DS-3 (at 45 Mbps) ATM links to local HQ.

Branch offices each have 1 × DS-1 (T1 at 1.5 Mbps) Frame Relay links to local regional office.

Internal IP addressing is predictable; based on headquarters, region, and branch.

I currently only have IPv4. But have no fear, IPv6 is on its way to save the ${DAY}.

I’m using 10. for the enterprise, naturally.

I’ll be using 169.254/16 for the NAP/IX’ peering LAN, because ${REASONS}.

I still pondering what to use on the ISP networks. — I have a friend that has a pair of unused / unrouted /24s that I may borrow and abuse inside LabNet.

😈

Show threadDrScriptt2d ago

I’ve already run into an issue which was causing #GNS3 to misbehave, flood my home network, and ultimately crash or be killed by the Linux kernel whichever came first.

So I had to hand edit my #TNCLabNet.gns3 to fix a oopse.

ProTip: Do not have multiple “Cloud” nodes connected to the same L2 switch fabric.

It turns out that they have a connection to eth0 by default.

So when I had between three and five connected to multiple interconnected switches, well I had a massive L2 loop that was causing things to get EXCEEDINGLY unhappy.

Show threadDrScriptt2d ago

Speaking of Linux, I guess I should share that I’m hosting #TNCLabNet on Proxmox and that #GNS3 is running in a Debian 13 container, so it effectively gets native performance.

The hardware is an old IBM / Lenovo x3650 with 2 × 12-core CPUs and 128 GB of memory.

So far, all the emulated 7206VXRs are not even using 2 cores and less than 3 GB of RAM.

I will be using Cloud nodes (UDP tunnels) connected to uBridge running on Proxmox with TAP devices added to the Linux native bridges that Proxmox uses.

So things running in GNS3 will the the actual routers used by the VMs running in Proxmox.

😈

Show threadDrScriptt2d ago

I’m enjoying the hell out of my #TNCLabNet project.

I’ve already used the incomplete build to test trace routes while playing with taking links out of service to see what happens.

I’ve already learned how to configure (OSI) Intermediate System to Intermediate System* to make this work. Including authentication. 😈

TL;DR: one giant Level 2 as recommended by multiple NANOG presentations / slide decks.

I may eventually add a Level 1 for #edutainment.

There will also be BGP, both external and internal.

* not typing the acronym for ${REASONS}.

Show threadDrScriptt2d ago

Yes #TNCLabNet is what prompted the question about graphics / CAD programs.

https://oldbytes.space/@drscriptt/116769619090100637

DrScriptt (@[email protected])

I’m not sure what ${THING} to use to create a picture / diagram / graphic of a project that I’m working on. I want to be able to place some (geometric) shapes (circles, squares, triangles, etc) around a central point at specific angles; 120°, 40°, and 12°. I’d also like some lines that interconnect some shapes (with strait lines). It’s sort of a radial / aerial diagram of interconnections. I feel like traditional graphics programs are just going to frustrate me. I feel like traditional CAD programs are going to be too strict. Does anyone have a recommendation for a graphics program / package / app recommendation?

OldBytes Space - Mastodon
Show threadDrScriptt

I suspect that #cghmn will be making an appearance in #TNCLabNet.

I bet @snep and / or @CursedSilicon have understandably given up on me.

Jun 23 at 5:58amWeb
Show threadCursed Silicon2d ago
@drscriptt @snep W-what is? (I feel like I missed some context)
Show threadDrScriptt2d ago

@CursedSilicon here’s a link to the thread about #TNCLabNet that I tagged you and @snep in because of #cghmn.

You might find the project interesting and somewhat familiar.

https://oldbytes.space/@drscriptt/116797661269257035

DrScriptt (@[email protected])

I’ve started a new project: #TNCLabNet Some people build model cars. Some people build model plains. Some people build model ships … in bottles. Some people build model trains … with dioramas that fill rooms. I build … model networks. TNC Lab Network, or ‘LabNet’, is becoming a real thing. LabNet is currently specced as: 3 × (international) Headquarters 3 × Regional Offices per HQ 3 × Branch Offices per RO With a star WAN topology that follows suit. There will also be: 1 × National ISP per HQ 2 × Regional ISPs per HQ 2 × Local ISPs per RISP The three NISPs will come together at one network access point (NAP) / internet exchange point (IXP) which I’m calling NAP/IX’ So there will be the enterprise network, and multiple ISP networks all with their own routers, firewalls, and the likes. Each office will have multiple servers. Each higher level will be more complex. Regional has email and database servers. Headquarters will have HA clusters therefor. I plan on incorporating some BIGiron. My P/390-E and iSeries will get a workout. Yes, that means I’ll be connecting the virtual with the physical. I want to try to run as many protocols as possible inside the enterprise network. The short list is: • TCP/IP • IPX/SPX • AppleTalk (DDP) • DECnet • NetBIOS / SNA If I can, I’d like to incorporate Banyan Vines and Artisoft LANtastic. Because why not‽ I’ll tag these posts so you can easily filter them. Evil bit anyone?

OldBytes Space - Mastodon
Show threadCursed Silicon2d ago

@drscriptt @snep I understood

parts

of this

But I am very curious to see how it shapes up o: