Survey of simulators of Next Generation Networks for studying service availability and resilience

Abstract

It is expected that discrete-event simulation will be an important method of our study of service availability and resilience in the Next Generation Networks (NGNs). Thus, application of an efficient simulator, which can allow gradual addition of the required elements of NGNs and their functionalities, for evaluating quality of services the NGNs could offer, is an important part of this project. Such a discrete-event simulator, used in modelling and evaluation studies of service availability and resiliency mechanisms in NGNs, will be further referred to as an NGN simulator. This document presents results of a survey of the most popular simulators of telecommunication networks, including simulators suggested by other teams participating in this NGN proJect. A custom-built simulator is also included. The results of this survey should help to select the most appropriate simulation tool(s) needed in research leading to Outcome 4 (Measurements), Outcome 6 (Service Availability Model Definition), Outcome 7 (Network Component Selection) and Outcome 8 (Prototype Development). This report does not include discrete-event simulators/emulators with "software-in-loop", which have been separately surveyed by our colleagues from the University of Waikato. First, we will present the criteria used in our evaluation of selected simulators and then the results of our survey in which these criteria have been applied. It is expected that discrete-event simulation will be an important method of our study of service availability and resilience in the Next Generation Networks (NGNs). Thus, application of an efficient simulator, which can allow gradual addition of the required elements of NGNs and their functionalities, for evaluating quality of services the NGNs could offer, is an important part of this project. Such a discrete-event simulator, used in modelling and evaluation studies of service availability and resiliency mechanisms in NGNs, will be further referred to as an NGN simulator. This document presents results of a survey of the most popular simulators of telecommunication networks, including simulators suggested by other teams participating in this NGN proJect. A custom-built simulator is also included. The results of this survey should help to select the most appropriate simulation tool(s) needed in research leading to Outcome 4 (Measurements), Outcome 6 (Service Availability Model Definition), Outcome 7 (Network Component Selection) and Outcome 8 (Prototype Development). This report does not include discrete-event simulators/emulators with "software-in-loop", which have been separately surveyed by our colleagues from the University of Waikato. First, we will present the criteria used in our evaluation of selected simulators and then the results of our survey in which these criteria have been applied.