Netkit: easy emulation of complex networks on inexpensive hardware

ABSTRACT

Network emulators are software environments that closely reproduce the functionalities and the behavior of real world networks.

In this paper we describe Netkit, a freely available lightweight network emulator based on User-Mode Linux. Netkit allows users to experiment with a large number of network technologies and provides tools for a straightforward setup of complex network scenarios that can be easily distributed via email or published on the Web. Netkit also comes with a set of ready to use experiences, accompanied by lecture slides, that enable users to immediately experiment with specific case studies. Our system has proved itself to be helpful in testing the configuration of ISP-scale real world networks and is profitably used within University level networking courses.

We provide a detailed comparison against other competing solutions and experimental measures about the scalability of the system.

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INDEX TERMS

Primary Classification:
  C. Computer Systems Organization
  C.2 COMPUTER-COMMUNICATION NETWORKS
      C.2.2 Network Protocols

Additional Classification:
  C. Computer Systems Organization
  C.2 COMPUTER-COMMUNICATION NETWORKS
      C.2.6 Internetworking

  K. Computing Milieux
  K.3 COMPUTERS AND EDUCATION
      K.3.0 General

General Terms:
Design, Experimentation

Keywords:
network emulation, routing, user-mode Linux, virtual laboratories