Netlab 26.03: EVPN/MPLS, IOS XR Features

Key Takeaways

• Adds Cisco IOS XR EVPN/MPLS features.
• Introduces Juniper cRPD and vPTX EVPN/VXLAN support.
• Enables SR‑MPLS OSPFv2 on multiple platforms.
• Provides OpenBSD BGP integration.
• Simplifies upgrade via pip command.

Summary

Netlab 26.03 has been released, bringing a suite of new multi‑vendor features to the network‑lab platform. Cisco IOS XR now supports SR‑MPLS, MPLS/VPN, EVPN over MPLS, VRRP, advanced BGP session parameters and extensive routing policies. Juniper cRPD, EVPN/VXLAN on vPTX and vJunos‑router, and OpenBSD BGP support have also been added, while SR‑MPLS OSPFv2 is available on EOS, FRR, IOS XE and IOS XR. The update can be installed with a single pip command, and documentation is provided for newcomers and upgraders alike.

Pulse Analysis

Network engineers and educators rely on lab platforms that mirror the complexity of production environments. Netlab’s 26.03 release narrows the gap by integrating a broader range of vendor‑specific capabilities, notably Cisco IOS XR’s advanced EVPN/MPLS and SR‑MPLS functions. This alignment with carrier‑grade features allows teams to prototype segment routing, virtual private networks, and high‑availability protocols without costly hardware, while maintaining consistency across Cisco, Juniper, Arista, and OpenBSD stacks.

The addition of Juniper cRPD and EVPN/VXLAN support on virtual PTX and Junos‑router instances expands the lab’s utility for data‑center and service‑provider scenarios. Operators can now validate end‑to‑end EVPN deployments, test VRRP failover, and experiment with granular BGP policy controls such as AS‑path and community filters. By exposing SR‑MPLS transport for OSPFv2 across EOS, FRR, IOS XE and IOS XR, Netlab facilitates the study of hybrid routing architectures that blend traditional IGPs with segment‑routing overlays, a growing trend in large‑scale networks.

For organizations focused on upskilling staff or automating network validation pipelines, the streamlined pip‑based upgrade path reduces friction in adopting the latest capabilities. The comprehensive documentation and active GitHub community further lower the barrier to entry, ensuring that both newcomers and seasoned professionals can quickly spin up realistic topologies. As networks evolve toward intent‑based and cloud‑native designs, tools like Netlab 26.03 become essential for rapid prototyping, compliance testing, and continuous integration of network code.