Network Simulator design
 

I am trying to write a new network simulator and want to ask for ideas. Maybe someone can point me to some usefull websites...

The network simulator must enable the user to define their own network protocols and network topologies [i]without[i] needing to recompile the software package (not like ns or REAL where you need to recompile everytime you write a new protocol). A user must also be able to write his/her own application layer "applications" like ping etc. and just plug it into the application. I plan to make the frontend a scripting language like Tcl/Tk (similiar to ns).

The simulator will be developed on Linux for Linux.

I just want some general ideas on the high level design, as I'm a rather unexperienced programmer. (My occupation is as network engineer, therefore I want to develop this system).

Any help will be appreciated.

Re: Network Simulator design
 

I have no clue how to develop something like this, and I expect if you're not quite comfortable with systems programming, it might well be beyond your current skills. However, one thing you could do is see if you can find some open source or public domain VPN software. As emulating a network is a big part of things for VPN, you can very probably derive some useful information.

Likewise, forums or newsgroups dedicated to such projects can probably be helpful. Just remember to search before asking, so you don't annoy the folks there.

Re: Network Simulator design
 

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