Cable Extension

Cable Extension is a plugin for NetBox that enhances cable-related data and provides optional integration with device inventories. With this plugin, you can create and manage cables using a custom form, optionally create InventoryItems on both ends, and store extended information (such as manufacturer or custom comments) in a linked model.

Features

• Extended Cable Creation: A dedicated form (CableCreateForm) to create cables between one or two Interfaces, capturing extra details (serial, part ID, etc.).
• Inventory Item Integration: Automatically creates InventoryItem records for each device end if desired.
• Manufacturer/Comments: Supports additional cable metadata (manufacturer, comments) through the CableExtension model.
• NetBox UI Integration: Provides a clear user interface under the plugin’s menu for creating cables and editing extended data.

Requirements

• NetBox: version 4.1.6
• Python: version 3.10.12 or higher

These are the versions used during development and testing. If you run into compatibility issues on other versions, please open an issue.

Installation

Step 1: Install using pip

pip install cable_extension

Step 2: Add the plugin into PLUGINS array in configuration.py

PLUGINS = [
    'cable_extension',
    # Other plugins...
]

Step 3: Apply migrations(don't forget activating virtual enviroment)

python manage.py migrate cable_extension

Step 4: Run netbox(for example)

python manage.py runserver

Usage

###Creating a Cable

1. In NetBox, navigate to Plugins → Cable Extension → Create Cable (or your chosen URL path).

2. Fill out details like:

   • Interfaces for end A and B
   • Cable serial, part ID, label, description, length
   • Check “Create InventoryItem for both ends?” to add inventory entries on both devices

3. Click Save. The plugin:

   • Creates a new cable in NetBox
   • Sets up cable terminations on the specified interfaces
   • Optionally creates InventoryItem objects for each end
   • Stores any extra details (like manufacturer, comments) in its own CableExtension model

Project Structure

cable_extension/
├── models.py          # CableExtension model for extended cable data
├── forms.py           # CableCreateForm for cable + inventory creation
├── views.py           # View classes for creating/editing cables
├── templates/         # HTML templates
│   └── cable_extension/
│       ├── cable_create.html
│       └── cable_extension_edit.html
├── urls.py            # URL definitions for the plugin

Changelog

v1.0.1

• Added headers in each file, fixed some comments

v1.0

• Initial release with custom cable creation form
• Optional InventoryItem creation on both ends
• Extended cable data stored in CableExtension model

Notes

• Non-Invasive: The plugin does not modify NetBox’s core cable logic – it simply provides an alternate creation flow and extension points.

• Customization: Feel free to adapt the forms or models to suit your environment. The plugin is designed to be extendable without impacting NetBox’s base code.

• License/Contributions: Contributions and forks are welcome. Please see the repository for more details on licensing.

Author

Viktor Kubec
BUT FIT Brno student
MIT License
GitHub: vubeckubec/cable_extension