# helper module

`helper.``get_ip_of`(lab_id, machine_id)

  Returns the ip address of the specified machine id of the specified lab.

  Parameters: | lab_id (str) – id of the lab, anyone of {sl1,sl2,cs101} machine_id (int) – machine id is the last octet of the ip address
  Returns: | ip_address (str)

`helper.``get_lab_prefix`(lab_id)

  Returns the prefix part of the ip address of the specified lab, along with last ip octet of the last node.

  Parameters: | lab_id –
  Returns: | tuple (prefix,LAST_NODE)

`helper.``ping`(ip)

  Pings the specified ip and returns the status.

  Parameters: | ip (str) – ip address to be pinged
  Returns: | bool that represents online status

`helper.``ping_lab`(lab_id)

  Pings the specified ip and returns the status.

  Parameters: | lab_id (str) – id of the lab, anyone of {sl1,sl2,cs101}
  Returns: | bool that represents online status

`helper.``validate_machine`(lab_id, machine_id)

  Validates whether the ip address belongs to the specified lab.

  Parameters: | lab_id (str) – id of the lab, anyone of {sl1,sl2,cs101} machine_id (int) – machine id is the last octet of the ip address
  Returns: |