Experiences on Evaluating Network Simulators: A Methodological Approach

Abstract

There exists a variety of network simulators, used to imitate the protocols, nodes, and connections in data networks. They differ in their design, goals, and characteristics. Thus, comparing simulators requires a clear and standardized methodology. In this paper, based on a set of measurable and comparable criteria, we propose an approach to evaluate them. We validate the suggested approach with two network simulators, namely Packet Tracer and GNS3. In that regard, a test scenario is put forward on the two simulators, both in Linux and Windows environments, and their performance is monitored based on the suggested approach. This paper does not propose a method for selecting the best simulator, but it rather supplies the researchers with an evaluation tool, that can be used to describe, compare, and select the most suitable network simulators for a given scenario.