Simulation uses software models that artificially represent the network’s hardware, software, traffic flows, and use. You can run simulations that replay or generate various types of traffic or protocol streams to validate results quickly; days of network activity go by in minutes when simulating traffic using such tools. Currently available simulation tools can assist a designer in developing a simulation model. Most simulation tools represent the network using a combination of processing elements, transfer devices, and storage devices. Simulation tools are generally costly, with prices in the tens of thousands of dollars. You might be better off hiring a company that already owns a simulation tool.
The main attributes of using simulation to verify the technologies are the following:
- Results are only as accurate as the model; in many cases, you will need to estimate traffic flows and utilization.
- After building the initial model, you can easily make changes and rerun tests.
- Simulation does not require access to network hardware and software.
- It does not require much geographical space, just the space for the hardware running the simulation software.
- Simulation software is fairly expensive, making simulation not economically feasible for most one-time designs.
- The people working with the simulation program will probably need training.
Consider using simulation for the following situations:
- When developing a type of WLAN product that does not yet exist
- When it is not feasible or possible to obtain applicable WLAN hardware and associated software for testing purposes
- When testing performance requirements based on predicted user activity (because it is often not practical to do this with physical prototyping)
When it is cost-effective to maintain a baseline model of a product or system to test changes to the baseline
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