NETLAB+
Your hardware. Your network. Your control.
On-premises lab platform for organizations that need full control over their training infrastructure. Real Cisco, Palo Alto, and Red Hat equipment, shared across classes, scheduled, browser-accessible.
A quote prices your specific program; an evaluation lets you try the platform first.
Prefer cloud-hosted courses with per-learner pricing? Teach with NDG Online.
NDG Online or NETLAB+?
Both deliver lab-based training. They differ in where the labs run, how you pay, and how much of the platform you manage.
| Category | NDG Online Hosted by NDG |
NETLAB+ Hosted by you |
|---|---|---|
| Where labs run | In the cloud, hosted and maintained by NDG | On your infrastructure, under your team's control |
| Getting started | Enroll from the browser and start learning | Scoped, sized, and deployed with our team |
| Pricing model | Per learner, per course | One-time appliance license, priced by pod count |
| Content | Courses with integrated labs, kept current by NDG | A 270+ lab catalog plus custom pods you design |
| Lab equipment | Live virtual lab environments in the browser | Real equipment and virtual pods, shared by schedule |
| Works best for | Individual learners and educator-led classes | Programs that need full control, custom topologies, or air-gapped networks |
| Next step | Browse courses → | Request a quote → |
Teaching a class on NDG Online instead? Start with free educator access.
What you get with NETLAB+
Browser-based remote access
Learners connect from any browser to lab equipment hosted at your organization. Built-in console apps reach VMs, routers, switches, and firewalls in one click.
Smart scheduling
A built-in calendar scheduler controls all lab access by reservation, so equipment is available when classes need it. Time-zone support simplifies participation across regions.
Shared pod efficiency
Multiple classes use the same equipment at different times through scheduled pod access. Serve more learners with less hardware.
Automated lab setup
Equipment is auto-configured for each lab and reset after every reservation, so every class starts from a clean state.
Certification-aligned curriculum
Ready-made lab content for CCNA, RHCSA, PCNSA, and Security+, aligned to Cisco, Red Hat, Palo Alto, and CompTIA, or build and deploy your own pods.
Streamlined administration
NETLAB+ is an appliance: administration is web-based. Manage pods, classes, accounts, and automatic updates from one interface.
Proxmox-backed
Modern hypervisor support with Proxmox VE.
Custom pod design
Build your own topologies, integrate proprietary equipment or curriculum, and deploy in-house training programs with the authoring tools.
What you'll need to deploy
NETLAB+ runs as a virtual appliance on your own infrastructure. Here's the shape of a deployment; the full hardware, network, and software specs live in the Designated Operating Environment (DOE) guide.
VMware IT Academy Program Update from Broadcom
If you currently have or acquire a VMware vSphere license, NETLAB+ will continue to function as intended. A VMware vSphere license is not included with NETLAB+. The NDG team is working on a NETLAB+ version that will utilize Proxmox instead of VMware vSphere.
Learn MoreA virtual appliance
NETLAB+ is distributed as an OVA and runs as a virtual appliance on your own Proxmox VE infrastructure. No dedicated NDG hardware to buy.
A network home
Deploy behind a firewall DMZ (NDG-recommended) or on a campus LAN. Learners and instructors reach it entirely through the browser.
A host sized to your program
Server specs scale with pod count and curriculum. We size your appliance with you during scoping. Real lab equipment is optional, depending on your programs.
Pricing
Standard licensing is a one-time purchase plus annual maintenance, sold in blocks of 16 active pods. Enterprise site licensing is available for commercial training organizations.
Includes the first year of maintenance and support; renews annually. Distributed by ConvergeOne at NDG's suggested retail price.
How a NETLAB+ deployment goes
Higher-touch than NDG Online by design. We work with you on scoping, sizing, and integration before any purchase.
Scoping call
Tell us about your program: learner counts, vendor curricula, hardware preferences, network requirements.
Sizing & quote
We work out the right appliance size, equipment list, and licensing for your program. Quote in writing.
Deploy & configure
Install the appliance on your infrastructure. Configure pod topologies. Onboard your IT and instructor teams.
Run classes
Instructors create classes, learners reserve pod time, you maintain full control over the infrastructure.
Frequently Asked Questions
How is NETLAB+ different from NDG Online?
NDG Online is our cloud platform: courses run in the browser, no infrastructure required, billed per learner. NETLAB+ is the on-premises platform, where your team runs the servers, real (or virtualized) equipment is shared across pods, and pricing is per appliance not per learner. NDG Online suits self-paced learners and educator-led classes; NETLAB+ suits enterprise programs that need full control, custom topologies, real hardware, or air-gapped deployments.
Who is NETLAB+ for?
Larger organizations and enterprise training programs that need control over their lab infrastructure, run vendor-aligned curricula at scale (Cisco Networking Academy, Palo Alto Cybersecurity Academy, Red Hat Academy), or have specialized requirements like custom pods, air-gapped networks, or unusual hardware. If NDG Online's per-learner model doesn't fit, NETLAB+ usually does.
What does the engagement look like?
NETLAB+ is a high-touch deployment. Expect technical discussions about server specs and networking, hands-on configuration, and onboarding training. We'll work with your IT and curriculum teams to plan the right configuration before any commitment. Timelines vary with your hardware, network, and procurement process.
What hardware does NETLAB+ run on?
NETLAB+ supports a wide range of real and virtual lab equipment: Cisco routers, switches, and firewalls; Palo Alto Networks firewalls; Red Hat Enterprise Linux servers; Proxmox VE; and custom virtual machines. Organizations can also design their own pod topologies. Server requirements vary by program size, and we'll size your appliance during scoping.
How is NETLAB+ priced and purchased?
Standard licensing is a one-time purchase in blocks of 16 active pods (up to 64), starting at $9,995 and including the first year of maintenance and support; renewals are annual. Enterprise site licensing is available for commercial training organizations. NETLAB+ is distributed by ConvergeOne at NDG's suggested retail price, and you may work with the reseller of your choice.
What about ongoing support?
NETLAB+ deployments include direct support for setup, configuration, upgrades, and curriculum integration. Our team is reachable through the support channels in your portal.
Stay up to date on NETLAB+
Release notes, new pods, and platform updates.