A special class of mathematical models are simulation models ... Such models are a computer program that reproduces step by step the events that take place in a real system. Applied to computer networks, their simulation models reproduce the processes of generating messages by applications, dividing messages into packets and frames of certain protocols, delays associated with processing messages, packets and frames in the operating system, the process of a computer that has access to a shared network environment, the process of processing packets received by a router. and so on When you simulate a network, you do not need to buy expensive equipment - its activity is simulated by programs that accurately reproduce all the main features and parameters of this equipment.
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The advantage of simulation models is the ability to replace the process of changing events in the system under study in real time with an accelerated process of changing events in the rhythm of the program. As a result, in a few minutes it is possible to reproduce the operation of the network for several days, which makes it possible to evaluate the operation of the network in a wide range of variable parameters.
The result of the simulation model is the statistical data collected during the observation of the current events on the most important characteristics of the network: reaction times, utilization rates of channels and nodes, probability of packet loss, etc.
There are special simulation languages that facilitate the process of creating a programming model compared to using generic programming languages. Examples of simulation languages are languages such as SIMULA, GPSS, SIMDIS.