Systems, methods, and computer-executable instructions for emulating a network are disclosed. A network topology and an indication of devices to emulate are received. A safe static boundary within the network that comprises each device in the indication of devices to emulate is determined. The safe static boundary is based upon the network topology. For each device to emulate, a unified container and a device container are instantiated. An emulated device is based on the unified container and the device container. Data links between the emulated devices are created based upon the network topology. An emulated network is created using the emulated devices.