Qualitative Comparison of Network Simulation Tools Modeling and Simulation of Computer Systems

Wireless networks are, in contrary to wired networks, a relatively new field of research in information technology. Nevertheless there exist some simulators able to deal with wireless networks. Simulators are commonly used since developing and testing of new protocols and algorithms is one of the major research topics. Since the results of these simulations should be as significant as possible, a high quality of the simulator is indispensable. Thus a qualitative comparison of the common network simulators is probably a decisive argument which simulator should be used. Thereby the number of details implemented in the simulators as well as used in the simulations plays an important role. This work gives a short overview about the comparisons made in the last few years (with a focus on the probably most common simulators: OPNET Modeler and NS2). It outlines their results and describes the effects of details on these results. CONTENTS Qualitative Comparison of Network Simulation Tools