Clab Mcp Server
What is Clab Mcp Server
clab-mcp-server is a Model Context Protocol (MCP) server designed for interacting with Containerlab using AI, specifically tailored for Claude Desktop.
Use cases
Use cases include automating the deployment of network topologies for testing, managing lab environments for training, and facilitating network configuration tasks through AI-driven commands.
How to use
To use clab-mcp-server, build the server executable for your operating system (Windows, Mac, or Linux), create a configuration file named ‘claude_desktop_config.json’, and ensure the Containerlab API server is running at the specified URL.
Key features
Key features include the ability to list available labs, deploy new network topologies, inspect lab details, execute commands on lab nodes, and destroy and clean up labs, all through natural language interactions.
Where to use
clab-mcp-server can be used in network simulation and automation environments, particularly in educational settings, DevOps practices, and network engineering.
Clients Supporting MCP
The following are the main client software that supports the Model Context Protocol. Click the link to visit the official website for more information.
Overview
What is Clab Mcp Server
clab-mcp-server is a Model Context Protocol (MCP) server designed for interacting with Containerlab using AI, specifically tailored for Claude Desktop.
Use cases
Use cases include automating the deployment of network topologies for testing, managing lab environments for training, and facilitating network configuration tasks through AI-driven commands.
How to use
To use clab-mcp-server, build the server executable for your operating system (Windows, Mac, or Linux), create a configuration file named ‘claude_desktop_config.json’, and ensure the Containerlab API server is running at the specified URL.
Key features
Key features include the ability to list available labs, deploy new network topologies, inspect lab details, execute commands on lab nodes, and destroy and clean up labs, all through natural language interactions.
Where to use
clab-mcp-server can be used in network simulation and automation environments, particularly in educational settings, DevOps practices, and network engineering.
Clients Supporting MCP
The following are the main client software that supports the Model Context Protocol. Click the link to visit the official website for more information.
Content
Containerlab MCP Server
This is a quick and dirty MCP (Model Context Protocol) trial for interacting with containerlab using AI. The example is tailored for claude desktop.
- Running containerlab API server
- Latest build of containerlab from the main branch
- Build it yourself:
make build - Copy the binary:
cp bin/containerlab $(which containerlab)
- Build it yourself:
Building the MCP Server
For Windows
export GOOS=windows
export GOARCH=amd64
go build -o clab-mcp-server.exe main.go
For Mac
# For Intel Macs
export GOOS=darwin
export GOARCH=amd64
go build -o clab-mcp-server main.go
# For Apple Silicon (M1/M2/M3)
export GOOS=darwin
export GOARCH=arm64
go build -o clab-mcp-server main.go
For Linux
export GOOS=linux
export GOARCH=amd64
go build -o clab-mcp-server main.go
Setup for Claude Desktop
- Place the MCP server executable in an accessible location
- For Windows:
clab-mcp-server.exe - For Mac/Linux:
clab-mcp-server
- For Windows:
- Create a configuration file named
claude_desktop_config.jsonwith the following content:
- Ensure the containerlab API server is running at http://localhost:8080 or update the URL as needed
Usage
Once configured, Claude will be able to:
- List available labs
- Deploy new network topologies
- Inspect lab details
- Execute commands on lab nodes
- Destroy and clean up labs
You can ask Claude to perform these operations using natural language, and it will use the appropriate MCP tools to interact with your containerlab environment.
Dev Tools Supporting MCP
The following are the main code editors that support the Model Context Protocol. Click the link to visit the official website for more information.
