HOWTO make ns-3 interact with the real world
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ns-3 is a simulator. Its primary function is to simulate networks of communicating nodes and the traffic between them. To do this, ns-3 provides its primary abstractions of computing nodes with applications to generate traffic; and net devices and channels to move the traffic.
Often it is desirable to mix and match real and simulated entities. For example, in order to validate a network model, one might create a simulation scenario, run the simulated model and gather statistics. Then compare the simulation to the same scenario run across a real network. One might also envision a scenario in which a network configuration is prohobitively expensive to create using real hardware. In this case, one might want to simulate the network, but use real applications to drive the simulation.
Given the abstractions of computing nodes, and the physical state of real or simulated, one can compose a table of possible configurations:
| Networks | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Nodes | Real | Simulated | |
| Real | Your Computer and Network | ns-3 TAP | |
| Simulated | ns-3 EMU | ns-3 Native Simulation | |
To read this table, look at the "physicality" of the network and nodes in the system (real or simulated) and find the technology you want to look at in the table. For example, if you want to use a simulated network and real computing nodes, you are directed to something called "ns-3 TAP." If you want to use simulated nodes and real networks, you are expected to use a technology called "ns-3 EMU." From the perspective of this HOWTO, the interesting cases are integrating real and simulated hosts and networks; and these cases are shaded in blue in the table.
HOWTO make ns-3 interact with the real world
The first step for anyone interested in ns-3 simulations is to visit The ns-3 Tutorial and work through the entire document. There are lots of answers to common questions there; and you can become a fairly sophisticated ns-3 user just by spending a few hours there.
Simulated Nodes and Simulated Networks
If you are interested in using ns-3 to simulate both nodes and devices, there are dozens of great examples to be found in the ns-3 distributions under the examples directory. Spending some time perusing the examples will be time well spent. Make sure to go through the tutorial first, and you will find them fairly easy going.
Real Nodes and Simulated Networks
This use-case is addressed by the ns-3 TAP device.
Simulated Nodes and Real Networks
This use-case is addressed by the ns-3 EMU device.
Real Nodes and Real Networks
This use-case is addressed by your purchasing department.
Craigdo 01:48, 17 February 2010 (UTC)