Simulators and Emulators for the Networkers

What Is an Emulator?

In computing science, an emulator means software that allows one computer system to imitate the behavior of another computer system. The imitating system is called a host, while the copied system is named the guest. It helps to test if the software is compatible or how it interacts with the actual hardware of real devices like memory, chips, etc. The imitation is made by translating the Instruction Set Architecture of the guest device through binary translation.

For Example-Cisco VIRL




What Is a Simulator?

The same as an emulator, the simulator is a way of modeling the environment where the product will function. However, the simulator can imitate only the software variables and configurations. Because they create only software environments, they can be implemented using high-level programming languages. No binary translation is required.

For Example-Cisco Packet Tracer



Best Networking Simulation/Emulation Tools



GNS3

Graphical Network System 3 (GNS 3) is Network Simulation/Emulation Tool & Software, and it is a kind of Virtual Network in a Suitcase. GNS3 can simulate the complex network and scenarios and supports the combination of virtual and real network devices. GNS3 is one of the best network simulation tools to build, design, configure, and test your network scenarios in a completely risk-free virtual environment. GNS3 network simulation tool is available for Windows, Linux & Mac.



EVE-NG

Emulated Virtual Environment - Next Generation is a tool that can be used around virtual devices to interconnect them with other virtual or physical devices. The tool can be used for multiple purposes that include the study of technologies, testing of new technologies, recreating corporate networks and test them before implementation etc. This tool is highly useful for everyone in the IT sectors, be it for companies, training providers, designers, service providers, consultants and so on.



Packet Tracer

Cisco Packet Tracker is a popular network simulation tool developed by Cisco Systems. It allows you to create simple or complex networks in the packet tracer. You can create, configure and run a test of your network conditions with actual equipment but in a virtual ecosystem. The most exciting thing about cisco packet tracer software is that it is entirely free to use and a blessing for the starters. You get to have a close look at the original setup, the design, the topologies of a simple networking system from a virtual perspective. Furthermore, you can create as many networks as possible with the abundance of devices in the cisco packet tracer tool.



VIRL

Virtual Internet Routing Lab or VIRL is a virtual network emulator from Cisco that has been specifically designed to meet the needs of educational institutions and individuals.
VIRL functions over a client/server model and its server can easily be installed on a virtual machine under ESXi by VMware or even over a bare-metal server.



eNSP

eNSP, or the Enterprise Network Simulation Platform, is defined as a free and extendable network simulation platform with graphical user interfaces (GUIs). 
It simulates enterprise Huawei routers and Huawei switches, giving a perfect presentation of actual devices. eNSP supports large-scale network simulation and allows users to implement experimental tests and learn network technologies without using actual devices.













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