Network simulator
Encyclopedia
A network simulator is a piece of software or hardware
that predicts the behavior of a network
, without an actual network being present.
s, routers and data link
s, network simulators are relatively fast and inexpensive. They allow engineers, researchers to test scenarios that might be particularly difficult or expensive to emulate using real hardware - for instance, simulating a scenario with several nodes or experimenting with a new protocol in the network. Network simulators are particularly useful in allowing researchers to test new networking protocols or changes to existing protocols in a controlled and reproducible environment.
Network simulators, as the name suggests are used by researchers, developers and engineers to design various kinds of networks, simulate and then analyze the effect of various parameters on the network performance. A typical network simulator encompasses a wide range of networking technologies and can help the users to build complex networks from basic building blocks such as a variety of nodes and links. With the help of simulators, one can design hierarchical networks using various types of nodes like computers, hubs, bridges, routers, switches, links, mobile units etc.
Various types of Wide Area Network
(WAN) technologies like TCP, ATM, IP etc and Local Area Network
(LAN) technologies like Ethernet
, token rings etc., can all be simulated with a typical simulator and the user can test, analyze various standard results apart from devising some novel protocol or strategy for routing etc.
There are a wide variety of network simulators, ranging from the very simple to the very complex. Minimally, a network simulator must enable a user to represent a network topology
, specifying the nodes on the network, the links between those nodes and the traffic between the nodes. More complicated systems may allow the user to specify everything about the protocols used to handle network traffic
. Graphical applications allow users to easily visualize the workings of their simulated environment. Text-based applications may provide a less intuitive interface, but may permit more advanced forms of customization. Others, such as GTNets, are programming-oriented, providing a programming framework that the user then customizes to create an application that simulates the networking environment to be tested.
NOTE: Ordered after how often they are mentioned in research papers.
Hardware
Hardware is a general term for equipment such as keys, locks, hinges, latches, handles, wire, chains, plumbing supplies, tools, utensils, cutlery and machine parts. Household hardware is typically sold in hardware stores....
that predicts the behavior of a network
Computer network
A computer network, often simply referred to as a network, is a collection of hardware components and computers interconnected by communication channels that allow sharing of resources and information....
, without an actual network being present.
Uses of network simulators
Network simulators serve a variety of needs. Compared to the cost and time involved in setting up an entire test bed containing multiple networked computerComputer
A computer is a programmable machine designed to sequentially and automatically carry out a sequence of arithmetic or logical operations. The particular sequence of operations can be changed readily, allowing the computer to solve more than one kind of problem...
s, routers and data link
Data link
In telecommunication a data link is the means of connecting one location to another for the purpose of transmitting and receiving information. It can also refer to a set of electronics assemblies, consisting of a transmitter and a receiver and the interconnecting data telecommunication circuit...
s, network simulators are relatively fast and inexpensive. They allow engineers, researchers to test scenarios that might be particularly difficult or expensive to emulate using real hardware - for instance, simulating a scenario with several nodes or experimenting with a new protocol in the network. Network simulators are particularly useful in allowing researchers to test new networking protocols or changes to existing protocols in a controlled and reproducible environment.
Network simulators, as the name suggests are used by researchers, developers and engineers to design various kinds of networks, simulate and then analyze the effect of various parameters on the network performance. A typical network simulator encompasses a wide range of networking technologies and can help the users to build complex networks from basic building blocks such as a variety of nodes and links. With the help of simulators, one can design hierarchical networks using various types of nodes like computers, hubs, bridges, routers, switches, links, mobile units etc.
Various types of Wide Area Network
Wide area network
A wide area network is a telecommunication network that covers a broad area . Business and government entities utilize WANs to relay data among employees, clients, buyers, and suppliers from various geographical locations...
(WAN) technologies like TCP, ATM, IP etc and Local Area Network
Local area network
A local area network is a computer network that interconnects computers in a limited area such as a home, school, computer laboratory, or office building...
(LAN) technologies like Ethernet
Ethernet
Ethernet is a family of computer networking technologies for local area networks commercially introduced in 1980. Standardized in IEEE 802.3, Ethernet has largely replaced competing wired LAN technologies....
, token rings etc., can all be simulated with a typical simulator and the user can test, analyze various standard results apart from devising some novel protocol or strategy for routing etc.
There are a wide variety of network simulators, ranging from the very simple to the very complex. Minimally, a network simulator must enable a user to represent a network topology
Network topology
Network topology is the layout pattern of interconnections of the various elements of a computer or biological network....
, specifying the nodes on the network, the links between those nodes and the traffic between the nodes. More complicated systems may allow the user to specify everything about the protocols used to handle network traffic
Network traffic
Network traffic is data in a network. In computer networks, the data is encapsulated in packets.*Network traffic control*Network traffic measurement*Network traffic simulation...
. Graphical applications allow users to easily visualize the workings of their simulated environment. Text-based applications may provide a less intuitive interface, but may permit more advanced forms of customization. Others, such as GTNets, are programming-oriented, providing a programming framework that the user then customizes to create an application that simulates the networking environment to be tested.
Examples of network simulators
Examples of notable network simulation software are:NOTE: Ordered after how often they are mentioned in research papers.
- ns2/ns3Ns (simulator)ns is a name for series of discrete event network simulators, specifically ns-1, ns-2 and ns-3...
- OPNETOPNETOPNET Technologies, Inc. is a software business that provides performance analysis for computer networks and applications.The company was founded in 1986 and went public in 2000. It is headquartered in Bethesda, Maryland and has offices in Cary, North Carolina; Nashua, New Hampshire; Dallas,...
- NetSimNetSimNetSim is a popular network simulation tool used by the academic community for teaching, network lab experimentation and research. Various technologies such as Ethernet, Wireless LAN, Wi Max, TCP, IP, etc are covered in NetSim.-History:...
See also
- Monte carlo simulation
- Network simulationNetwork simulationIn communication and computer network research, network simulation is a technique where a program models the behavior of a network either by calculating the interaction between the different network entities using mathematical formulas, or actually capturing and playing back observations from a...
- Simulation languageSimulation languageA computer simulation language describes the operation of a simulation on a computer. There are two major types of simulation: continuous and discrete event though more modern languages can handle combinations. Most languages also have a graphical interface and at least simple statistical gathering...
- Simulation softwareSimulation softwareSimulation software is based on the process of modeling a real phenomenon with a set of mathematical formulas. It is, essentially, a program that allows the user to observe an operation through simulation without actually performing that operation...
- Traffic generation model