Network emulation
Network emulation is is a technique where the properties of an existing, planned and/or non-ideal network are simulated in order assess performance, predict the impact of change, or otherwise optimize technology decision-making.
This can be accomplished by introducing a device on the LAN that alters packet flow in a way that imitates the behavior of application traffic in the environment being emulated. This device may be either a general-purpose computer running software to perform the network emulation or a dedicated emulation device. The device incorporate a variety of network attributes into its emulation model â€" including the round-trip time across the network (
latency), the amount of available
bandwidth, a given degree of
packet loss, duplication of packets, reordering packets, and/or the severity of network
jitter. Desktop PCs can be connected to the emulated environment, so that users can experience the performance and behavior of applications in that environment first-hand. Similarly, phones can be connected to the emulated environment so that users can directly assess VoIP call quality for themselves.
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ipfw or Dummynet runs on
FreeBSD. It is currently maintained.
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netem is an optional part of recent
Linux kernels. It is currently maintained.
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NISTnet is an emulator for Linux platforms. It is barely maintained by its original
NIST author.
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NS-2 is a popular network simulator that can also be used as a limited-functionality emulator. It is currently maintained.
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Shunra VE Desktop runs on
Microsoft Windows and simulates a network link, including latency, bandwidth, jitter and packet loss conditions.
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LANforge-ICE WAN Emulator runs on
Linux and
Microsoft Windows and supports bandwidth-constraints from 4 kbit/s to 1 Gbit/s, latency, jitter, packet loss/duplication/reordering and more.
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Anue Network Emulator, precision hardware based network emulators for Gigabit and ten Gigabit Ethernet, SONET/SDH and Fibre Channel.
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Shunra Virtual Enterprise, a comprehensive network simulation suite that simulates the network, remote locations, and the number and distribution of local and remote end-users for application and network testing.
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Apposite Technologies provides WAN emulation for terrestrial, wireless, and satellite links
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Packet Storm provides emulation at up to gigabit speeds
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Network Nightmare provides low end (< 20 Mbit/s) emulation
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Itheon Network Emulator provides Gigabit (10/100/1000) network environment emulation
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LANforge-ICE WAN Emulator supports bandwidth-constraints from 4 kbit/s to 1 Gbit/s, latency, jitter, packet loss/duplication/reordering
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Simena Network Emulator and Traffic Generator provides complete list of network impairments up to gigabit speeds, along with traffic injection and capture&replay.
