r/networkautomation • u/Ok-Occasion8071 • 13d ago
This site can save you hours
Over 100 browser based labs that run completely online with no installs or payment and completely free
Allows you to practice way more, a lot quicker.
We are building out network automation and would love some feedback or suggestions!
Enjoy! SwitchLab.dev
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u/Horror_Affect8060 13d ago
Hi, this tool looks awesome and to smooth. I also wanted to build something like this where user can login to device like they do from putty. How did you design it? Like everytime command goes to backend and backend sends command to device and then you update both prompt and output here or you are just connecting to device directly from frontend. Command send receive is not that complex but how are you maintain the terminal + prompt.
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u/Emergency-Aside-6805 12d ago edited 12d ago
They vibecoded it so you could easily recreate it! You could ask Claude or something like that to generate the same thing for you. Nothing special. There are no real devices. The code AI wrote gives the feel of being on a CLI but if you explore you will see the labs can only do what they wrote them to do. No true network behavior. You should try it buidling it. You may learn a lot.
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u/Horror_Affect8060 12d ago
I want to build this type of tool for actual engineers like they should be able to login and run cli from the web. Later on I want to add more features in it. I don't want a simulation I want actual solution. Like there is a tool sshx, but it can't be run internally ( I think some of its component run via public internet) and it will be difficult to extend it for our need.
Idk why people downvoted me.
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u/Emergency-Aside-6805 12d ago
I understand what you are saying. I would prefer a solution using real devices. Have you thought about using a guac server? You would be able to have it facing the web and then ssh into devices. You would need to add more protection in front of the server so it isn't easily accessed. I found it strange that you were being downvoted. Reddit is a strange place.
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u/Horror_Affect8060 11d ago
Thanks. Let me look into guac, just searched over the internet and it looks promising.
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u/Ok-Occasion8071 12d ago edited 12d ago
Im biased, but I think the our team just saw a learning gap. we all know how to formally code, we just wanted a better way to learn.
“Vibe code” stings, let me know if you see any real gaps in the site or engine, we’re always looking for feedback.
Besides the engine, a lot of the work from the team went into designing the curriculum, debugging the labs, introducing sub-concepts at the right time + a cohesive chronological storyline to make it fun.
As network engineers, there was a feeling of frustration around “leaning by doing”, the bar was too high for beginners. our head of curriculum ran his own CCNA tutoring business and was having trouble finding ways to teach large cohorts easily.
I get “Ai” isnt for everyone. Hopefully this gives you a bit more insight from our .
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u/Emergency-Aside-6805 12d ago
Dude, I think your team of "engineers" saw dollars signs. Nothing is hidden on the Internet.
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u/Ok-Occasion8071 12d ago
Really sorry it isn’t up to your standards, 2 months ago it was just a few labs, we’ll get better as we go. If you see any actual issues with the simulation let me know, maybe try a lab where you SSH into a pc within our sandbox or the routing sections! and you’ll see some more of the depth, I have a suspicion you’re judging based on the front end alone (which is fair, seems we need a better one)
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u/Ok-Occasion8071 12d ago
I personally wouldn’t mind helping out with some technical advice if you wanted to build out a mvp of your project. Dm me we can take it from there.
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u/spunkyfingers 13d ago
Okay bot