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ns-3 VS Cisco VIRL

Compare ns-3 VS Cisco VIRL and see what are their differences

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  4. » Alternatives

ns-3 logo ns-3

a discrete-event network simulator for internet systems

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.
  • ns-3 Landing page
    Landing page //
    2020-02-14
  • Cisco VIRL Landing page
    Landing page //
    2023-06-19

ns-3 features and specs

  • Open Source
    ns-3 is an open-source network simulator, which means it is freely available for use, modification, and distribution. This allows researchers and developers to customize the simulator to meet their specific requirements.
  • Realistic Simulation
    ns-3 provides highly detailed and accurate network models, making it suitable for simulating complex networking scenarios and protocols with realistic behavior.
  • Active Community
    The ns-3 community is active and provides a wealth of resources, including documentation, tutorials, and forums. This can be helpful for troubleshooting issues and staying updated with the latest advancements.
  • Wide Range of Protocols
    ns-3 supports a broad range of network protocols and technologies, enabling users to simulate diverse network environments and study the interactions between various protocol layers.

Possible disadvantages of ns-3

  • Steep Learning Curve
    Due to its complexity and detailed models, ns-3 can be difficult to learn for beginners, requiring a solid understanding of both the simulation environment and networking principles.
  • High Resource Usage
    Simulating large and complex networks with ns-3 can be resource-intensive, demanding significant computational power and memory, which may be a limitation for some users.
  • C++ Complexity
    ns-3 is primarily implemented in C++, which can be challenging for users who are not familiar with the language or its intricacies, leading to potential difficulties in writing and debugging simulation scripts.
  • Limited Visualization Tools
    While ns-3 provides a fundamental graphics interface, its visualization capabilities are not as robust as some other network simulators, which may hinder users who need comprehensive visual insights into their network simulations.

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.

ns-3 videos

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Cisco VIRL videos

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A Review of Cisco VIRL

More videos:

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

Category Popularity

0-100% (relative to ns-3 and Cisco VIRL)

ns-3

Cisco VIRL

Simulation Software
61 61%
Simulation Software
39% 39
Technical Computing
62 62%
Technical Computing
38% 38
Tool
60 60%
Tool
40% 40
Numerical Computation
100 100%
Numerical Computation
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.

ns-3 mentions (0)

We have not tracked any mentions of ns-3 yet. Tracking of ns-3 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 ns-3 and Cisco VIRL, you can also consider the following products

GNS3 - GNS3 is a graphical network simulator that allows simulation of complex networks.

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

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

Cisco Packet Tracer - Download Cisco Packet Tracer, an innovative network simulation and visualization tool used by Cisco Networking Academy students and instructors.

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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