> 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/getting-started/features.md).

# Features

![Labs manager showing product surface](https://1807546539-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FhgHCHWL3861o2DBW53aA%2Fuploads%2FaYnTMWKr4WM971dYZIif%2Flabs-manager.png?alt=media)

## Goal

Know what the platform can do and what each licence edition unlocks.

## Platform capabilities (every edition)

Limits (labs, nodes, seats) still depend on licence.

| Area                  | What you get                                                                                                                                               |
| --------------------- | ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| **Labs**              | Blank labs, Guided Labs, Design / Operate / Visualize (+ lenses)                                                                                           |
| **Topology**          | Drag templates, connect ports, groups / nested maps, undo/redo, name font size                                                                             |
| **Runtimes**          | QEMU/KVM, Docker, Dynamips, Cisco IOL (with your images / binaries); **VEX-NOS** Exact / Native / Lite picker on supported templates                       |
| **Fabric**            | Linux bridges; Management / NAT / Bridge clouds; External management (EXT-MGMT) when configured                                                            |
| **Images**            | Library, Catalog, Compatibility, Convert & add, bulk import                                                                                                |
| **Consoles**          | HTML5 serial / VNC / Docker shell (docked + maximized); optional SecureCRT / PuTTY (port **8022**) - [Operate and consoles](/labs/operate-and-consoles.md) |
| **ScriptPad**         | Startup-config profiles; Wipe+Start day-0 ISO + live CLI inject on supported templates                                                                     |
| **Validate**          | Pre-flight checks (Visualize -> Validate lens)                                                                                                             |
| **Traffic Lens**      | Utilization / bandwidth paint + dock under Visualize - [Traffic Lens](/labs/traffic-lens.md)                                                               |
| **Packet capture**    | Captures dock + Capture Center PCAP - [Packet capture](/labs/packet-capture.md)                                                                            |
| **Link impairment**   | Delay / jitter / loss on fabric links - [Link inspector and impairment](/labs/link-inspector-and-impairment.md)                                            |
| **Present / Preview** | Clean Present lens vs immersive Design Preview                                                                                                             |
| **Classroom**         | Share labs; Enterprise timers, dashboard, grade, PDF, Proctor                                                                                              |
| **Infrastructure**    | Host pulse, cloud uplinks, management network                                                                                                              |
| **Home**              | Continue last lab, Launch Budget, Host checks                                                                                                              |
| **API**               | JWT REST API for labs, nodes, images, and more (REST API overview)                                                                                         |

## Edition matrix

Two editions ship: **Student** (free, builtin, no licence file) and **Enterprise** (signed licence file).

| Feature                                  | Student |                         Enterprise                        |
| ---------------------------------------- | :-----: | :-------------------------------------------------------: |
| Core UI, QEMU/Docker, consoles, starters |    Y    |                             Y                             |
| Packet capture                           |    Y    |                             Y                             |
| Running-config import / Migrate Lab      |    Y    |                             Y                             |
| Lab bundle import                        |    Y    |                             Y                             |
| Assist (OpenRouter)                      |    Y    |                             Y                             |
| MCP agent API (REST tools)               |    Y    |                             Y                             |
| Concurrent labs                          |    5    |                         Unlimited                         |
| Nodes per lab                            |    60   |                         Unlimited                         |
| Users                                    |    1    |                         Unlimited                         |
| Full commercial template catalog         |    Y    |                             Y                             |
| Classroom timers                         |    N    |                             Y                             |
| LDAP / SSO / RADIUS                      |    N    | Y (Admin Security; SAML/OIDC login stubs until IdP wired) |

Seat counts and lab limits: Licence editions and activation.

## Recipes worth knowing

### Nested maps

Group nodes into child maps. Use breadcrumbs to navigate. Full preview shows the whole topology. See [Design mode](/labs/design-mode.md).

### External consoles

Right-click a running node -> **Open in SecureCRT/PuTTY**. Install the Windows Client Pack once (re-run after appliance updates that refresh the helper). See [Operate and consoles](/labs/operate-and-consoles.md).

### Compatibility status

**Certified** means honest verification on VEX-NX: Start, live terminal, guest config (or documented N/A), then Stop/Wipe/Start retest. Always confirm live chips under Images -> Compatibility. See [Catalog and Compatibility](/images/catalog-and-compatibility.md).

### Offline Docker starters

Current OVA/ISO builds seed **FRR** and **Alpine** offline tarballs. If Start fails on image pull, run `sudo vexnx-seed-docker` and check DNS. See [First lab walkthrough](/labs/first-lab-walkthrough.md).

### Wipe and ScriptPad

Wipe recreates the node disk overlay. On supported platforms, VEX-NX attaches day-0 config media from the active ScriptPad profile, verifies hostname, and can fall back to live CLI inject. See [Operate and consoles](/labs/operate-and-consoles.md).

### VEX-NOS Adaptive Runtime

On supported templates, choose **Exact** (vendor QEMU), **Native** (IOL/cEOS-style), or **Lite** (FRR protocol stand-in). Lite is labeled as simulation, not vendor NOS. See VEX-NOS Adaptive Runtime.

### Assist and MCP

Assist can draft labs and configs on both editions once OpenRouter is configured. The MCP **tool catalog** is available over REST for agents on both editions (not a desktop stdio MCP server yet). See [Using Assist](/assist/using-assist.md) and MCP and AI tools.

## What is not included

* Vendor OS images, IOL binaries, or Cisco `iourc` files (bring your own disks; catalog templates are unlocked on Student and Enterprise)
* Classroom timers and LDAP / SSO / RADIUS on Student (require Enterprise)
* Hardware appliance firmware packages as QEMU VMs
* Claim of official Cisco / Juniper image redistribution

## Related

* [What is VEX-NX?](/getting-started/what-is-vex-nx.md)
* VEX-NX vs CML vs EVE-NG vs PNETLab
* Licence editions and activation
* [Supported images](/images/supported-images.md)
* Install the OVA / Install from USB


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