The lab provides a clean interface to common vm functions such as start / stop / snapshot / revert and even running system commands or higher-level functions like opening a browser to a specified URL. It's designed so the different VM technologies have a similiar interface, and you can ignore the specifics of the VM tech. The majority of the functionality is implemented in the form of drivers and controllers. Drivers implement the underlying command for each vm software (such as start/stop/revert), and controllers implement the commands which apply to all vms (such as listing all running vms, or cloning a vm).
If you're interested in porting a vm software (see below), please take a look at the workstation_driver.rb and the workstation_controller.rb -- This is a simple driver / controller in the lab, and you can simply copy / modify this to implement a new driver & controller for the software.
You will need to have this code running on a linux box, Currently this has only been run / tested on Ubuntu 9.04 -> 10.04, though it should run on any linux with an ssh client and the dependencies below. Remote VM Hosts will need to be linux as well, though other platforms may work (untested). If you're interested in porting it to windows, please contact me (jcran).
- net/scp - the gem (net-scp). Required to copy files to/from the devices in the case that tools are not installed. Not necessary if tools are installed.
The lab plugin for msfconsole adds a number of commands which may be useful if you're interested in automating remote hosts with rc scripts, or if you need to control targets / support systems while utilizing the metasploit console. A potential use case is testing an IPS / IDS, and resetting the target after running each exploit.
The lab libraries add tons of useful functionality that isn't exposed through the lab plugin, such as the ability to run commands on hosts. This library can serve as an excellent base for more complex operations on a remote host as well.
