> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://docs.vex-nx.com/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://docs.vex-nx.com/welcome.md).

# Welcome

![VEX-NX Home dashboard](https://1807546539-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FhgHCHWL3861o2DBW53aA%2Fuploads%2FsnoSQxV6NjO55L7JDO4l%2Fhome.png?alt=media)

Visual tour: Visual Feature Atlas

Visual tour: Visual Feature Atlas

This is the **VEX-NX cookbook** for people new to the platform. It explains **what** each menu does, **why** it exists, and **how** to use it with short examples.

## Who this is for

| Guide                      | Audience                                                                                |
| -------------------------- | --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| **User Guide** (this book) | Anyone who installs VEX-NX, imports images, builds labs, opens consoles, or uses Assist |
| **Admin Guide** (sidebar)  | People who manage users, licences, Assist LLM keys, classrooms, and the appliance host  |

## How to use this cookbook

Each major page follows the same pattern:

1. **Goal** - what you will achieve
2. **Why** - why the feature exists (especially for first-time users)
3. **Steps** - click paths as they appear in the UI (example: `Images -> Import`)
4. **Example** - a concrete lab or file name you can copy
5. **Expected result** / **If it fails** - what "good" looks like and the usual fix

## Start here if you are new

1. Visual Feature Atlas - annotated demo screenshots of the live UI
2. GUI tutorials under Labs: [Operate and consoles](/labs/operate-and-consoles.md), [Traffic Lens](/labs/traffic-lens.md), [Packet capture](/labs/packet-capture.md), [Link inspector and impairment](/labs/link-inspector-and-impairment.md), [Design mode](/labs/design-mode.md)
3. [What is VEX-NX?](/getting-started/what-is-vex-nx.md) - product identity and category
4. [Menus and toolbars](/getting-started/menus-and-toolbars.md) - map of the whole UI
5. Install OVA or USB -> [First login](/getting-started/first-login.md)
6. [Home](/getting-started/home.md) - Host checks and Launch Budget
7. [Labs page](/labs/labs-page.md) then [Guided Labs](/labs/guided-labs.md)
8. [First lab walkthrough](/labs/first-lab-walkthrough.md)

API / AI agents: REST API overview, MCP and AI tools, llms.txt (AI index).

**Secrets:** Never publish real API keys, customer passwords, or private licence keys in GitBook.

## Pick your install path

| Path                          | Use when                                                 |
| ----------------------------- | -------------------------------------------------------- |
| Install the OVA               | VMware Workstation or ESXi                               |
| Install from USB (bare metal) | Physical server with KVM (best for nested QEMU / vJunos) |

Both paths give the same day-1 software: web UI, SSH, templates, licence policy, hostname **VEX-NX**, TLS name **vex-nx.local**.

## Editions at a glance

| Edition        | Typical use                                                                                                                   |
| -------------- | ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| **Student**    | Free 60-node personal lab (complete networking: capture, consoles, import, Assist, MCP). 5 labs, 1 user, community templates. |
| **Enterprise** | Unlimited labs / nodes / users, full commercial catalog, classroom timers, and LDAP/SSO with a signed licence                 |

Details: [Features](/getting-started/features.md) and Licence editions and activation.

## Quick links

* [Generate Lab](/labs/generate-lab.md) / [Migrate Lab](/labs/migrate-lab.md) / [Import Lab](/labs/import-lab.md)
* Toolbars and More menu
* Visualize, Present, and Preview
* [Traffic Lens](/labs/traffic-lens.md)
* Sharing labs and class timers
* Images overview
* Troubleshooting
* FAQ
* Admin overview


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