Where Does EVE-NG Store Labs and Images?
EVE-NG labs and images under /opt/unetlab, the single tree to back up.
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EVE-NG keeps everything network lab related under /opt/unetlab: lab definitions, node images, templates, configs and the internal database. The web UI edits this tree constantly, which makes it living state rather than installed software.
That single tree design simplifies backup into one rule with one exception. Copy /opt/unetlab with services stopped for a full migration, but expect image bulk to dominate the transfer. Bare metal installs and nested VMs share the layout, so the same path works wherever EVE-NG runs.
Where EVE-NG stores this, by platform
/opt/unetlab
Key children include labs for topologies, addons for images, and data for the internal database. Root access required throughout. Stop EVE services before copying to avoid half written lab states.
Frequently asked questions
how do i back up eve-ng labs
Back up /opt/unetlab with EVE services stopped, covering labs, images and the database together. Image files dominate the size, so exclude and re upload those if bandwidth allows. Restore to the identical path or nothing resolves.
can eve-ng labs live outside opt
No. Lab files reference images by path inside the tree, and the database tracks nodes the same way. Moving pieces breaks references silently, so the tree stays put and remote access happens over the web UI instead.
Notice an outdated path? Let us know.