You have to find the correct kernel working for your version of mininet. Please, also consider using a Virtual Machine instead of a container as you will use the host kernel which might not be compiled with the right properties or not have the correct version.

cd /opt
git clone git://github.com/mininet/mininet.git
git tag #get available versions of mininet
git checkout 2.1.0 #go to working branch of mininet 
cd mininet/util
./install.sh -a
apt install openvswitch-switch #may be required

• Do the following:

• Change the util/install.sh file:

• Run the following:

./util/install.sh -a

-Launch mininet in debug mode to see errors: mn --test pingall -v debug
-Launch the topology with : mn --controller=remote,ip=192.168.103.142 --topo tree,3
-Launch a custom topology: sudo mn --custom custom_example.py --topo mytopo
-Reset mininet : mn -c

• Create a python file in custom/custom-topo.py

class MyTopo( Topo ):
    "Simple topology example."

    def __init__( self ):
        "Create custom topo."

        # Initialize topology
        Topo.__init__( self )

        # Add hosts and switches
        leftHost = self.addHost( 'h1' )
        rightHost = self.addHost( 'h2' )
        leftSwitch = self.addSwitch( 's3' )
        rightSwitch = self.addSwitch( 's4' )

        # Add links
        self.addLink( leftHost, leftSwitch )
        self.addLink( leftSwitch, rightSwitch )
        self.addLink( rightSwitch, rightHost )


topos = { 'mytopo': ( lambda: MyTopo() ) }