Topology Editor

The topology editor provides a convenient and intuitive way to graphically construct a
network topology. A constructed network can be a fixed wired network or a mobile wireless
network. Due to a user-friendly design, all GUI operations can be done easily and intuitively.

Network Node Attributes Specification

A network device (node) may have many attributes. Setting and modifying the attributes of
a network node can be easily done. Just double-clicking the icon of the network node. An
attribute dialog box like the following will appear.
Performance Monitor

The performance monitor can easily and graphically generate and display the plots of some
monitored performance metrics such as a link’s utilization or a TCP connection’s achieved
throughput. It can also be used as an independent tool to display any performance log file
that uses the (X, Y) two-column format.
Node Editor

The node editor provides a convenient environment in which a user can flexibly configure
the protocol modules used inside a network node. By using this tool, a user can easily add,
delete, or replace a module with his/her own module to test the performance of a new
protocol.
Packet Animation Player

By using the packet animation player, a logged packet transfer trace can be replayed at a
specified speed. Both wired and wireless networks are supported. This capability is very
useful because it can help a researcher to visually debug and test the behaviors of a
protocol. It is also very useful in education.
Application

NCTUns is a valuable tool for many applications:

                 A network-planning tool. A network manager can use NCTUns to study the
relationships between user loads, user perceived request/response delay performance, and
network utilization. For example, according to the simulation results generated by NCTUns,
a network manager can predict whether its users will experience a much better
request/response delay performance if he (she) upgrades a link’s bandwidth from 45 Mbps
to 100 Mbps.

                 A research tool. A researcher can use NCTUns to develop a new protocol and test the
protocol’s functionality and performance under various network conditions. By using the
node editor of NCTUns, it is very easy to modify a network device (node)’s protocol stack.

                 An application program performance evaluation tool. A software developer can use
NCTUns to predict the application-level performances of a distributed system (e.g., a multi-
user Internet on-line game or a distributed database system) under various network
conditions. This capability is enabled by the unique simulation methodology used by
NCTUns, which enables all existing and to-be-developed real-world application programs
to be run directly on a network simulated by NCTUns.

                 An education tool. Because the usage and configuration of NCTUns are exactly the
same as those for operating real-world IP networks, students can use NCTUns to learn how
to configure and use a real-world IP network. In addition, the teacher and students of a
network course can use NCTUns to understand the detailed behaviors of a protocol. By
using the packet animation player of NCTUns, a logged packet transfer trace can be played
back at any speed. The teacher and students can visually see how the protocol behaves and
proceeds.
Network Devices

NCTUns supports the following types of network links and devices:

Device Node Type Explanation

Point-to-Point 
PPL For wired networks
Ethernet-like Link
Point-to-Point
WDMLINK For optical networks
WDM Optical Link
Host HOST For wired networks
Hub HUB For wired networks
Switch SWITCH For wired networks
Router ROUTER For wired networks
For wired networks. Used to
WAN cloud WAN purposely drop, delay, and
reorder passing packets.
For wired networks. Used to
insert a group of hosts that
Subnet SUBNET
are all connected to a
central switch.
This is for emulation
External Host EXTHOST purposes. Used to represent
a host in the real world.
This is for emulation
External Router EXTROUTER purposes. Used to represent
a router in the real world.
This is for emulation
External IEEE
purposes. Used to represent
802.11 (b) Mobile
EXTMNODE an IEEE 802.11 (b) mobile
Node (ad hoc
node (ad hoc mode) in the
mode)
real world.
External IEEE This is for emulation
802.11 (b) Mobile purposes. Used to represent
Node EXTMNODE_INFRA an IEEE 802.11 (b) mobile
(infrastructure node (infrastructure mode)
mode) in the real world.
For wired network. Used as
QoS DiffServ
BROUTER a boundary router in a QoS
Boundary Router
Diffserv network.
For wired network. Used as
QoS DiffServ
IROUTER an interior router in a QoS
Interior Router
Diffserv network.
Optical Circuit For optical network. Used
OSWITCH
Switch as an optical circuit switch.
Optical Burst For optical network. Used
OBSWITCH
Switch as an optical burst switch.
For GPRS cellular network.
GPRS Base Station GPRSBS Used as a base station in a
GPRS network.
GPRS Phone GPRSPHONE For GPRS cellular network.
 Used as a phone in a GPRS
network.
For GPRS cellular network.
GPRS SGSN GPRSSGSN Used as a SGSN in a GPRS
network.
For GPRS cellular network.
GPRS GGSN GPRSGGSN Used as a GGSN in a GPRS
network.
For GPRS cellular network.
GPRS Pseudo
GPRSPS Used as a pseudo switch in
Switch
a GPRS network.
For wireless networks (to
Wall (wireless
WALL purposely block wireless
signal obstacle)
signal propagation)
For mobile wireless
IEEE 802.11 (b)
networks. Used as an IEEE
Mobile Node (ad MNODE
802.11 (b) mobile node (ad
hoc mode)
hoc mode).
IEEE 802.11 (b) For mobile wireless
Mobile Node networks. Used as an IEEE
MNODE_INFRA
(infrastructure 802.11 (b) mobile node
mode) (infrastructure mode).
For mobile wireless
IEEE 802.11 (b) networks. Used as an IEEE
AP
Access Point 802.11 (b) access point
(infrastructure mode).
For mobile wireless mesh
IEEE 802.11(b)
networks. Used as an IEEE
dual-radio wireless
802.11 (b) dual-radio mesh
mesh access point MESH_OSPF_AP
access point (infrastructure
running OSPF
mode) running the OSPF
routing protocol
routing protocol.
For mobile wireless mesh
IEEE 802.11(b)
networks. Used as an IEEE
dual-radio wireless
802.11 (b) dual-radio mesh
mesh access point MESH_SPT_AP
access point (infrastructure
running SPT
mode) running the
routing protocol
spanning tree protocol.
IEEE 802.11 (e) For mobile wireless
QoS Mobile Node networks. Used as an IEEE
QoS_ MNODE_INFRA
(infrastructure 802.11 (e) mobile node
mode) (infrastructure mode).
IEEE 802.11 (e) For mobile wireless
QoS Access Point networks. Used as an IEEE
QoS_AP
(infrastructure 802.11 (e) access point
mode) (infrastructure mode).
IEEE 802.16(d) BS IEEE 802.16(d) WiMAX PMP
WIMAX_PMP_BS
in PMP mode mode base station
IEEE 802.16(d) WIMAX_PMP_SS IEEE 802.16(d) WiMAX PMP
Gateway SS in PMP mode subscriber station
mode that functions as a gateway
 router
IEEE 802.16(d) WiMAX PMP
IEEE 802.16(d)
mode subscriber station
Host SS in PMP WIMAX_PMP_SS
that functions as a terminal
mode
device
IEEE 802.16(d) BS IEEE 802.16(d) WiMAX
WIMAX_MESH_BS
in mesh mode mesh mode base station
IEEE 802.16(d) WiMAX
IEEE 802.16(d)
mesh mode subscriber
Gateway SS in WIMAX_MESH_SS
station that functions as a
mesh mode
gateway router
IEEE 802.16(d) WiMAX
IEEE 802.16(d)
mesh mode subscriber
Host SS in mesh WIMAX_MESH_SS
station that functions as a
mode
terminal device
DVB-RCST Service DVB_RCS satellite
DVB_RCS_SP
Provider network’s service provider
DVB_RCS satellite
DVB-RCST Network
DVB_RCS_NCC network’s network control
Control Center
center
DVB-RCST Return DVB_RCS satellite
Channel Satellite DVB_RCS_RCST network’s return channel
Terminal satellite terminal
DVB_RCS satellite
DVB-RCST Feeder DVB_RCS_Feeder
network’s feeder
DVB-RCST Traffic DVB_RCS satellite
DVB_RCS_Gateway
Gateway network’s traffic gateway
DVB_RCS satellite
DVB-RCST Satellite DVB_RCS_SAT
network’s satellite
DVB_RCS satellite
DVB-RCST Pseudo network’s switch used to
SWITCH
Switch connect feeder, NCC, SP,
and TG together
Wireless vehicular networks
for Intelligent
ITS car with an
Transportation Systems
IEEE 802.11(b)
CAR_INFRA applications. A car with an
infrastructure
IEEE 802.11(b)
mode interface
infrastructure mode
interface
Wireless vehicular networks
for Intelligent
ITS car with an
Transportation Systems
IEEE 802.11(b) ad CAR_ADHOC
applications. A car with an
hoc mode interface
IEEE 802.11(b) ad hoc
mode interface
Wireless vehicular networks
for Intelligent
ITS car with a
CAR_GPRS_PHONE Transportation Systems
GPRS radio
applications. A car with a
GPRS radio
 Wireless vehicular networks
for Intelligent
ITS car with a
CAR_RCST Transportation Systems
RCST interface
applications. A car with a
satellite RCST interface
A mobile node that has the
following four different
types of network interfaces:
(1) IEEE 802.11(b)
infrastructure mode
Multi-interface interface, (2) IEEE
SUPERNODE
mobile node 802.11(b) ad hoc mode
interface, (3) GPRS radio,
and (4) satellite RCST
interface. Such a node can
move in any specified
pattern.
A ITS car that has the
following four different
types of network interfaces:
(1) IEEE 802.11(b)
infrastructure mode
ITS car with all interface, (2) IEEE
SUPERNODE
different interfaces 802.11(b) ad hoc mode
interface, (3) GPRS radio,
and (4) satellite RCST
interface. Such a car must
move on a paved road
network.
An Intelligent
On Board Unit in a Transportation System
WAVE mode (ITS) car that is equipped
WAVE_OBU
wireless vehicular with an IEEE
network 802.11(p)/1609 On-Board-
Unit radio.
An Intelligent
Road Side Unit in a
Transportation System
WAVE mode
WAVE_RSU (ITS) Road-Side-Unit that is
wireless vehicular
equipped with an IEEE
network
802.11(p)/1609 radio.
A base station of 802.16(e)
IEEE 802.16(e) BS MobileWIMAX_PMPBS
mobile WiMAX networks.
A mobile station of
IEEE 802.16(e) MS MobileWIMAX_PMPMS 802.16(e) mobile WiMAX
networks.
For mobile wireless
IEEE 802.11 (a)
networks. Used as an IEEE
Mobile Node (ad MNODE
802.11 (a) mobile node (ad
hoc mode)
hoc mode).
IEEE 802.11 (a) MNODE_INFRA For mobile wireless
Mobile Node networks. Used as an IEEE
(infrastructure 802.11 (a) mobile node
mode) (infrastructure mode).
For mobile wireless
IEEE 802.11 (a) networks. Used as an IEEE
AP
Access Point 802.11 (a) access point
(infrastructure mode).
IEEE 802.16(j) A base station of 802.16(j)
transparent mode MobileRelayWIMAX_PMPBS transparent mode relay
BS WiMAX networks.
IEEE 802.16(j) A relay station of 802.16(j)
transparent mode MobileRelayWIMAX_PMPRS transparent mode relay
RS WiMAX networks.
IEEE 802.16(j) A mobile station of
transparent mode MobileRelayWIMAX_PMPMS 802.16(j) transparent mode
MS relay WiMAX networks.
IEEE 802.16(j) A base station of 802.16(j)
non-transparent MR_WIMAX_NT_PMPBS non-transparent mode relay
mode BS WiMAX networks.
IEEE 802.16(j) A relay station of 802.16(j)
non-transparent MR_WIMAX_NT_PMPMS non-transparent mode relay
mode RS WiMAX networks.
A mobile station of
IEEE 802.16(j)
802.16(j) non-transparent
non-transparent MR_WIMAX_NT_PMPRS
mode relay WiMAX
mode MS
networks.
A virtual router used in
Virtual router VIRROUTER
distributed emulations.

NCTUns supports the following network protocols/models/applications:

Physical Layer
Protocol or Model Acronym Technology Specification
Simple BER model for
PHY For wired networks
point-to-point link
Simple BER model for WPHY For IEEE 802.11(a/b)
wireless signal (i.e., using wireless networks
the transmission and
interference ranges only)
More realistic (advanced)
BER model for wireless
signal (i.e., considering the For IEEE 802.11(a/b)
AWPHY
used modulation scheme, wireless networks
received bit power, and
noise level)
3dB beamwidth 60-degree
and 120-degree steerable AWPHY For wireless networks
directional antennas
IEEE 802.16(d) WiMAX
network wireless PHY For IEEE 802.16(d) WiMAX
WIMAX_WPHY
(including various networks
modulation and coding)
DVB-RCS satellite network
wireless PHY (including For DVB-RCS satellite
DVB-RCS_WPHY
various modulation and networks
coding)
IEEE 802.16(e) Mobile
WiMAX network wireless For IEEE 802.16(e) WiMAX
MobileWIMAX_WPHY
PHY (including various networks
modulation and coding)
For IEEE 802.11(p)/1609
IEEE 802.11(p)/1609
WAVEWPHY WAVE mode wireless
WAVE-mode wireless PHY
vehicular networks
For any type of wireless
Over 30 more realistic network. The wireless
CM
wireless channel models channel model can be easily
replaced.
IEEE 802.16(j) transparent
mode Relay WiMAX For IEEE 802.16(j)
network wireless PHY OFDMA_PMPBS_MR transparent mode relay
(including various WiMAX networks
modulation and coding)
IEEE 802.16(j) non-
transparent mode Relay For IEEE 802.16(j) non-
WiMAX network wireless OFDMA_PMPBS_NT transparent mode relay
PHY (including various WiMAX networks
modulation and coding)

Data Link Layer

Technology
Protocol Acronym
Specification
Ethernet Ether IEEE 802.3
IEEE 802.11 (b)
Wireless LAN (ad hoc WLANAD IEEE 802.11b
mode)
IEEE 802.11 (b) WLANIN IEEE 802.11b
Wireless LAN
(infrastructure mode)
IEEE 802.11 (a)
Wireless LAN (ad hoc WLANAD IEEE 802.11a
mode)
IEEE 802.11 (a)
Wireless LAN WLANIN IEEE 802.11a
(infrastructure mode)
Learning Bridge
Protocol (used in the LBP IEEE 802.11d
switch)
Spanning Tree Protocol
(used in the switch)
 STP IEEE 802.11d
Address Resolution
ARP RFC-826
Protocol
2F-BLSR Optical Ring
2F-BLSR 2F-BLSR
Protection Protocol
IEEE 802.11(b)
IEEE 802.11b (dual-radio
wireless mesh network MESH
access point)
MAC
IEEE 802.11(e) QoS
802.11eWLAN 802.11e
wireless LAN MAC
IEEE 802.16(d) PMP For IEEE 802.16(d) WiMAX
WIMAX_PMP_MAC
mode MAC PMP mode networks
IEEE 802.16(d) mesh For IEEE 802.16(d) WiMAX
WIMAX_MESH_MAC
mode MAC mesh mode networks
IEEE 802.16(e) PMP For IEEE 802.16(e) WiMAX
MOBILEWIMAX_PMP_MAC
mode MAC PMP mode networks
For IEEE 802.11(p)/1609
IEEE 802.11(p)/1609
WAVE_MAC WAVE mode wireless
MAC
vehicular networks
DVB-RCS satellite
network MAC (including For DVB-RCS satellite
DVB-RCS_MAC
forward and return networks
channels)
For IEEE 802.16(j)
IEEE 802.16(j)
MAC802_16J_PMPBS transparent mode relay
transparent mode MAC
WiMAX networks
For IEEE 802.16(j) non-
IEEE 802.16(j) non-
MAC802_16J_NT_PMPBS transparent mode relay
transparent mode MAC
WiMAX networks

Network Layer
Protocol Acronym Technology Specification
RFC-791, RFC-792, RFC-826
Internet Protocol IP (Both unicast and subnet
broadcast are supported.)
Internet Control Message ICMP RFC-792
Protocol
Open Shortest Path First
Routing protocol
Routing Information Protocol
Fixed-Network God Routing
Protocol
Dynamic Source Routing
protocol
Ad hoc On Demand Distance
Vector Routing protocol
Adaptive Distance Vector
Routing protocol
Destination-Sequenced
Distance-Vector Routing
protocol
Mobile-Network God Routing
Protocol
FIFO Packet Scheduling
mechanism
Deficit Round-Robin Packet
Scheduling
Random Early Detection
Buffer Management
Packet dropping, delaying,
and reordering
QoS DiffServ EF, BE, CL, PHB DS_I
QoS DiffServ Traffic metering,
conditioning, and shaping
GPRS cellular network’s
protocol stacks
Optical Burst Switching
Protocol
Mobile IP
OSPF RFC-1247
RIP RFC-1058
Automatically calculate the best
routing paths for a fixed
FNGRP
network (for research
comparison purposes)
DSR For mobile ad hoc networks
AODV For mobile ad hoc networks
ADV For mobile ad hoc networks
DSDV For mobile ad hoc networks
Automatically calculate the best
routing paths for a mobile ad
MNGRP
hoc network (for research
comparison purposes)
(Can be used in a switch as
FIFO
well)
(Can be used in a switch as
DRR
well)
(Can be used in a switch as
RED
well)
This module is used in the WAN
node to purposely drop, delay,
WAN and reorder passing packets
according to a specified statistic
distribution.
This module is used in an
interior router in a QoS DiffServ
network to perform the
specified per-hop-behavior
packet scheduling methods.
This module is used in a
boundary router in a QoS
DS_TC DiffServ network to perform
traffic metering, conditioning,
and shaping.
Many modules are provided to
GPRS construct the protocol stacks
used in the GPRS network.
Several modules are provided
OBS to construct the protocol stacks
used in the OBS network.
MIP Several daemon programs are
provided to implement the
home and foreign agents used
 in an Mobile IP network. RFC-
2002, RFC 2003.
IEEE 802.11(b) wireless mesh The OSPF routing protocol is
network OSPF routing MESHOSPF run on the wireless mesh
protocol network.
IEEE 802.11(b) wireless mesh The spanning tree protocol is
network SPT (Spanning Tree) MESHSTP run on the wireless mesh
protocol network.

Transport Layer
Protocol
Transmission Control
Protocol
User Datagram Protocol
Real Time Transport
Protocol, Real Time Control
Protocol
Session Description Protocol
Multi-interface Mobile
Node/ITS Car Protocol
Acronym Technology Specification
TCP RFC-791, RFC-792, RFC-826
UDP RFC-768, RFC-1122
RTP/RTCP RFC-1889, RFC-1890
SDP RFC-2327
This design allows a mobile
node/ITS car to have and
use multiple interfaces at the
MULTI_INTERFACE same time, achieving the
most cost-effective way to
utilize heterogeneous
wireless networks.

Application Layer
Protocol or applications Acronym Technology Specification
P2P BitTorrent    
Java program  
HTTP  
FTP    
Telnet    
Tcpdump    
Traceroute    
Ping    
Stcp/rtcp   Greedy TCP traffic
Ttcp   Greedy TCP/UDP trafic
Greedy TCP/UDP traffic, trace
driven, self-similar traffic, on-
Stg/rtg   off, constant-bit-rate, and
various packet streams.
 Tactical agent programs for
Magent1~5   tactical and active mobile ad
hoc network simulations
Intelligent Transportation
Systems wireless vehicular
networks. A car agent can
ITS car agents   control the driving behavior of a
car moving on a paved road
network.
Note: All existing real-world network application programs and tools can directly

run on a simulated node. The above represents just a few of them.