Create Your Own Containers (like Netbox) for EVE-NG with Docker-in-Docker

Introduction

In this tutorial, we will walk through the process of creating your own Docker containers for EVE-NG using Docker-in-Docker (D-in-D). This method is particularly useful when simple commands like docker pull or docker run are insufficient. We'll utilize Docker's build and compose functionalities to set up custom containers, specifically focusing on Netbox.

Step 1: Set Up EVE-NG Pro

• Ensure you have EVE-NG Pro installed and running on your server.
• Confirm that you have access to the command line interface (CLI) for executing Docker commands.
• Make sure your Docker installation is up-to-date. You can check your Docker version by running:

  docker --version
  

• If Docker is not installed, follow the official installation guide for your operating system.

Step 2: Clone the Repository

• Open your terminal and navigate to the directory where you want to clone the Netbox Docker repository.
• Run the following command to clone the repository from GitHub:

  git clone https://github.com/DataKnox/netbox-docker.git
  

• Change into the cloned directory:

  cd netbox-docker
  

Step 3: Build the Docker Image

• In the netbox-docker directory, you will find a Dockerfile. This file contains instructions for building the custom Docker image.
• Execute the following command to build the Docker image:

  docker build -t netbox .
  

• This command will create a Docker image named netbox based on the specifications provided in the Dockerfile.

Step 4: Configure Docker Compose

• Check for a docker-compose.yml file in the cloned repository. This file defines how to run the container and its dependencies.
• Before running Docker Compose, verify the configurations, such as ports and environment settings, to ensure they meet your requirements.
• Start the containers using Docker Compose with the following command:

  docker-compose up -d
  

• The -d flag runs the containers in detached mode, allowing you to continue using the terminal.

Step 5: Access Your Container

• Once the containers are up and running, you can access the application via a web browser.
• Open your web browser and navigate to:

  http://<YOUR_EVE_NG_IP>:<PORT>
  

• Replace <YOUR_EVE_NG_IP> with the IP address of your EVE-NG instance and <PORT> with the port specified in your docker-compose.yml.

Step 6: Verify Container Status

• To check if your container is running properly, use the following command:

  docker ps
  

• This command will list all running containers. Look for your netbox container in the list.

Conclusion

In this tutorial, we successfully created a custom Docker container for EVE-NG using Docker-in-Docker. By following these steps, you can easily build and run your own containers, allowing for greater flexibility in your network simulations.

For further exploration, consider experimenting with different Dockerfiles or integrating other services within your EVE-NG environment. Happy containerizing!