移植NCTUns網路模擬器到Linux平台並提供Emulation的功能

Abstract

對於IP網路的研究者而言，一個網路模擬器是一個非常有用的工具，可以幫助他們學習或發展新的IP網路技術。有了一個網路模擬器，研究者可以省去很多建構真實的網路環境時所要花的時間與金錢。在模擬的環境中，所有的網路狀況以及設定都是可重複呈現的，因此研究者可很容易的得到重複的實驗結果。NCTUns網路模擬器已經發展了很多年了。可以說它已經變成一個高精確度以及具有擴張性的一個網路模擬器。由於它的幾個新穎的模擬方法，它提供了很多獨特的優點，而這些優點是其他傳統的模擬器所無法擁有的。

在本篇論文中，可分成兩大主題。一為移植NCTUns網路模擬器到Linux平台。過去，NCTUns只能在FreeBSD平台上執行。但由於最近Linux系統越來越普及，所以我們也希望能將模擬器移植到Linux平台並讓更多人使用我們的模擬器。在本篇論文中的第一部分，我們將會討論移植NCTUns網路模擬器的相關細節。另一主題是為NCTUns提供emulation的功能。Emulation是一種能夠讓網路模擬器和真實的網路設備溝通的功能。這種功能可以大大的幫助IP技術發展者發展及測試他們的產品。在本篇論文的第二部分，我們將會討論emulation在NCTUns下的設計與實作。

For IP network researchers, a network simulator is a very useful tool to help them study or develop new IP network technologies. With a network simulator, researchers can save much time and money required to build a real network environment. In a simulated network environment, all network conditions and configurations are repeatable, therefore researchers can easily repeat theirs experimental result. The NCTUns network simulator has been developed for many years. It already becomes a high-fidelity and extensible network simulator. Due to its several novel simulation methodologies, it provides many unique advantages that can not be achieved by traditional network simulators.

In this paper, we have two main topics. The first one is porting the NCTUns network simulator to Linux. In the past, the NCTUns can only run on the FreeBSD platform. However recently, the Linux system becomes more and more popular. In part I of this paper, we will discuss and describe in details how we port the NCTUns from FreeBSD to Linux. The other topic is supporting emulation in the NCTUns. Emulation is a kind of ability that can allow a network simulator to interact with real network devices. This function can greatly help IP technology developers to develop or test their products. In part II of this paper, we will discuss the detail of the design and implementation of the NCTUns network emulator.