NetSim Standard: for Reseachers

NetSim Standard: Accelerate Network R&D

Universities need simulation tools that accelerate research, not slow it down. Open-source simulators offer flexibility, but understanding and extending them often requires substantial engineering effort. NetSim removes this overhead with a well-structured, validated platform designed for rapid experimentation and research.

Key Challenges with Script-Based Simulators:

  • Time-Intensive Scenario Creation: Writing hundreds of line of code to define network topologies, device properties, and traffic flows.
  • Complex Data Analysis: Manuallly prasing multi-megabyte trace files and writing seperate scripts or using external tools for plotting and visualization.
  • Difficult Debugging: Relying on scattered 'printf' statements to trace logic or flaws, with no integrated debugging envirnoment.
  • Integration Hurdles: Spending days or weeks trying to interface with essential external tools like MATLAB or Python.

6 Reasons Why You Need NetSim

Feature NetSim Standard Version Open Source Simulators
Scenario Design Easy-to-use GUI: Drag and drop devices, links and applications. Write hundreds of lines of script to create network scenarios.
Results Analysis Integrated Results Dashboard: Instantly view performance reports with tables and graphs. Manual analyse and write code to extract results from large trace files.
Visualization Inbuilt Packet Animator & Graphing: Visualize packet flows and plot metrics with extensive formatting. Write programs on external tools for graphs and visualization.
Custom Code Full R&D Projects: Provided with source C code and documentation to easily build upon. Read through thousands of lines of C code to understand and modify.
Debugging Online Debugging: Attach to the process and "watch" all variables in Visual Studio. Rely on code-intrusive 'printf' statements.
Interfacing Inbuilt Interfaces: Seamlessly connect to Python, MATLAB, SUMO and Wireshark. Research and spend days building custom links to external software.

From Design to Simulation. Faster Than Ever

Virtual Network Design

Design
  • Build scenarios visually-in minutes.
  • Drag-and-drop nodes: UEs, gNBs, routers, switches, satellites, vehicles, sensors,etc.
  • Connect links and configure PHY quickly (path loss, channel type, link properties).
  • Auto-place nodes using Uniform/Random placement or import coordinates from files.

Deep Protocol Configuration

Design
  • Tune parameters across the stack (APP -> PHY).
  • Configure per-device protocol stacks with clear, layer-wise controls.
  • Set routing/MAC parameters for research runs (MANET/VANET/IoT/5G as applicable).
  • Run controlled experiments with repeatable settings (profiles, seeds, scenario variants).

Broad Technology Support

Design
  • One Platform for multiple research domains.
  • Dedicated libraries for 5G/6G, MANETs, VANETs (with SUMO), IoT/WSN, Satcom/NTN, Wifi, LTE, and more.
  • Mix Technologies in a single scenario (e.g., Wi-Fi + 5G).
  • Extend by modifying source C code provided alongwith.

From Simulation to Insight. Instantly

Simple Execution

Design
  • Run interactively or at scale.
  • Set simulation time, seeds, and key run options in a simple UI.
  • Batch experiments via CLI for parameter sweeps and automation.
  • Repeat runs reliably with consistent scenario and seed management.

Comprehensive Results Dashboard

Design
  • Get answers without post-processing scripts.
  • Instant end-to-end KPIs: throughput, delay, jitter, delivery ratio, etc.
  • Drill down into link/queue/protocol metrics for root-cause analysis.
  • Export tables/graphs for papers and reports.

Visualization Tools

Design
  • See what happened, not just the final numbers.
  • Built-in plots (e.g., throughput vs time) directly from the results window.
  • Packet animation to trace flows, control traffic, and losses visually.
  • Optional detailed traces for hop-by-hop, packet/event-level inspection.

Featured Research Areas

Examples of Research Areas Using NetSim

  1. 5G/6G: AI/ML in the RAN, MIMO, Beamforming, Network Slicing, Link Adaptation, Mobility, Handover
  2. Internet of Things: IoT Security, Energy management and sustainable operation, 6LOWPAN based IoT Design, RPL protocol in IoT - attacks in RPL, DODAG formation
  3. Wireless Sensor Networks: Energy efficient, Routing, Clustering, LEACH, Localization
  4. Cognitive Radio Networks: Spectrum sensing and incumbent detection, Spectrum allocation, Interference analysis, spectrum usage
  5. Mobile Adhoc Networks:Location based, power aware routing, Sink hole attack, Intrusion Detection system
  6. VANETs: v2v and v2i communication, Mobility models and connectivity, Clustering and routing


Developing algorithms in NetSim is 10 times faster than developing in Open source tools. We need to try out different network scenarios, filter and plot output data, batch run simulations, interface with external tools and perform numerous other tasks. In NetSim, these features are all integrated, robust and commercially validated.

Dr. Shankar Sriram,
Saastra University, India

Additional Resources


Pricing/Evaluation