Software Alternatives, Accelerators & Startups

Actran VS Cisco VIRL

Compare Actran VS Cisco VIRL and see what are their differences

Actran logo Actran

Actran is a finite element-based simulation software to analyze the acoustic behavior of mechanical systems and parts.

Cisco VIRL logo Cisco VIRL

Cisco VIRL is a next-gen network virtualization and orchestration platform that enables you to accomplish multiple tasks like creating and customizing simulated networks with third-party and Cisco objects by means of a graphical utility.
  • Actran Landing page
    Landing page //
    2023-07-12
  • Cisco VIRL Landing page
    Landing page //
    2023-06-19

Actran features and specs

  • Advanced Acoustic Simulation
    Actran provides comprehensive acoustic simulation capabilities, allowing users to model complex acoustic phenomena with high precision.
  • High-Performance Computing
    The software is optimized for high-performance computing, enabling efficient simulations on powerful hardware setups, which reduces computation time.
  • Extensive Material Library
    Actran offers a rich library of material properties to simulate a wide range of acoustic materials, enhancing the model's realism.
  • Customizable Interface
    The interface allows extensive customization to cater to specific user needs and preferences, improving user experience and productivity.
  • Integration with CAD Tools
    Actran integrates well with popular CAD tools, facilitating easy import and export of models, which streamlines the workflow.

Possible disadvantages of Actran

  • Steep Learning Curve
    New users may find Actran's advanced features difficult to learn without extensive training or experience.
  • High Cost
    The software can be expensive, which might be a barrier for small companies or individual users with budget constraints.
  • Resource Intensive
    Running detailed simulations can require significant computational resources, which may not be available to all users.
  • Complex User Interface
    The interface may seem complex and overwhelming for beginners, requiring time to become fully proficient.
  • Limited Support for Non-Acoustic Applications
    While excellent for acoustic simulations, Actran may be less suitable for non-acoustic problems compared to multi-physics platforms.

Cisco VIRL features and specs

  • Realistic Network Simulations
    Cisco VIRL provides a highly realistic simulation of Cisco network devices, allowing users to create and test complex network designs and configurations in a virtual environment.
  • Comprehensive Device Support
    VIRL supports a wide range of Cisco devices and operating systems, enabling users to work with various network topologies and emulate different scenarios encountered in actual networks.
  • Scalability
    The platform allows users to scale their simulations according to their needs, from small lab setups to more extensive network environments, providing flexibility in testing and learning.
  • Educational Resources
    Cisco VIRL is backed by Cisco's comprehensive educational resources and community support, offering a wealth of tutorials, documentation, and community interaction for learning and troubleshooting.
  • API Integration
    Users can integrate their simulations with external applications and tools using the included API, enhancing automation and orchestration capabilities.

Possible disadvantages of Cisco VIRL

  • Cost
    Cisco VIRL requires a paid subscription, which may not be affordable for individuals or small organizations with limited budgets.
  • Resource Intensive
    Running Cisco VIRL simulations can be resource-intensive, requiring substantial CPU, memory, and storage resources, potentially leading to higher costs for hardware or cloud resources.
  • Complex Setup
    Initial setup and configuration can be complex and time-consuming, especially for users who are not familiar with virtualization technologies and network configurations.
  • Limited Vendor Support
    While Cisco VIRL provides comprehensive support for Cisco devices, it has limited support for non-Cisco devices, which may not be suitable for all network simulation needs.
  • Learning Curve
    There is a learning curve associated with mastering Cisco VIRL, which might be challenging for beginners and require additional training or learning resources.

Actran videos

Actran - Introduction to Actran for Vibro-Acoustic Analysis

More videos:

  • Review - Actran - Introduction to Actran for Aero-Acoustic Analysis
  • Review - Actran - Introduction to Aero-Acoustic Analysis

Cisco VIRL videos

A Review of Cisco VIRL

More videos:

  • Review - Cisco VIRL download, installation and configuration (Part 1): Overview

Category Popularity

0-100% (relative to Actran and Cisco VIRL)
Technical Computing
49 49%
51% 51
Simulation Software
46 46%
54% 54
Tool
42 42%
58% 58
Numerical Computation
100 100%
0% 0

User comments

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Social recommendations and mentions

Based on our record, Cisco VIRL seems to be more popular. It has been mentiond 1 time since March 2021. We are tracking product recommendations and mentions on various public social media platforms and blogs. They can help you identify which product is more popular and what people think of it.

Actran mentions (0)

We have not tracked any mentions of Actran yet. Tracking of Actran recommendations started around Mar 2021.

Cisco VIRL mentions (1)

  • Cisco Modeling Labs - Personal
    Just found out my own answer. It is the new version of VIRL stated here: https://learningnetwork.cisco.com/s/virl. Source: about 3 years ago

What are some alternatives?

When comparing Actran and Cisco VIRL, you can also consider the following products

FlexSim - Simulation software to model, simulate, predict, and visualize systems in manufacturing, material handling, healthcare, warehousing, mining, etc.

ns-3 - a discrete-event network simulator for internet systems

Paessler Multi Server Simulator - Paessler Multi Server Simulator is inexpensive and robust software that helps you power massive-scale testing.

Mininet - Mininet is a robust and inexpensive Instant Virtual Network designed to function on standard PCs like Laptops and Desktops.

Cloonix - Cloonix is an open-source virtual network creation framework based on KVM licensed under the AGPLv3 license.

VNX - VNX is a simple, fast, and highly effective virtualization tool developed to assist you in creating virtual network testbeds automatically, resulting in time-saving.

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