Investigation into the strengths and weaknesses of freeware network simulation tools for education purposes Academic Question : Which is the most stabiles network simulation tools for teaching network level 5 ,6 ? AIM To investigate into the strength and weakness of the Network simulating tools. To compare the weakness and strength of the simulation tools for teaching network. Recommend network simulation tool for level 5 and 6 module for educational purposes. Create a simulated network to assess each tool. PLANNING AND MANAGEMENT: EVIDENCE OF RESEARCH Without any practical experiments, it is not possible for a student to master computer networks. In reality, it is a very expensive process to set up network with real devices. Therefore, Network simulation is the best option available for designing and testing of complex networks of computer systems. Network simulation comes with variety of options and developments which enable better understanding of networking. EVALUATION: Various software tools have different capabilities to implement different topologies. Few of the simulation software have lower capabilities when compared to level 6 advance networking module. Not all the simulation softwares have the ability of handling level 6 networks. A software should be capable of handling and evaluating the project. Handling of development of artefact was done properly to evaluate the project as a whole. For the Omnet++, different topologies including RIP and OSPF protocols were developed in GN53 and Riverbed modeler. There are many deficient features in the software. One of them is that the software doesn’t have graphical user interface. Graphical user interface absence doesn’t allow proper utilization of software. Additional options like command line interface and API should be used when developing topologies. This turned out to be quite challenging when developing the artefact in Omnet++ . ARTEFACT DEVELOPMENT The aim of the artefact of is to design, develop, test and compare freeware network simulated tools. The developed tool is a software that can be installed in any operating system like linux, windows so as to create a simulated network to analyse performance and obtain the result of failure. It is easily accessible since it can be used in everyday systems. Simulated network is developed by using topology with various tools. It is designed based on the situation or network which is wished to be analysed. There are two configuration methods utilized, which are OSPF and RIP protocoling Omnet++ tool GNS3 tool Opnet Reverbed tool. The aim of the program will be developing or generating six networks. These six networks are combined using simulated networked tools. Configuration of the networks is done by using OSPF routing system and RIP system. INTRODUCTION AND BACKGROUND: A computer system which apes behaveor another system is called an emulator. The real network application can be tested by means of emulation. This is done by using a virtual network instead of software. The process of network emulation involves introducing a network device in test environment. It can be done in a simulated business environment done in a lab. Simulation of business environment is to create a complex network system virtually which can be used for analysis and obtaining results on networking systems. Modifications and testing conditions can be applied on the network systems. OBJECTIVE: Assess the performance of different simulation tools for teaching. Design different network topologies using various types of nodes such as end hosts, hubs, network bridges, routers, optical link-layer devices and investigate the strengths and weaknesses. Comparing the tools and features in terms of their suitability for teaching. Produce a report with recommendations. CONCLUSION In project, a complex networking system was generated for evaluation and analysis.For students studying level 6 networking module, few networking softwares like Academic Riverbed Modeller and Omnet++ can only provide basic introduction. Hence, if the students have to get a hands on experience in networking, working should be done in softwares like GNS3. Since, GNS3 provides highly advance features and capabilities, the results in this project are obtained accordingly. It has a flaw of not having a graphical user interface which makes it usage complicated since command line interface needs to be used. It is concluded that GNS3 is efficient and easy to manipulate and is recommended. REFERENCES Chang X., "Network simulation with opnet," presented at 1999 winter simulation conference, Phoenix, AZ, USA, 1999, pp. 307-314. Linkleter, B. 2013. Open-Source Network Simulators. [ONLINE] Available at: http://www.brianlinkletter.com/open-source-network-simulators/. [Accessed 13 October 2016]. Siraj, S. Gupta, A. K. Badgujar, R. 2012. Network Simulation Tools Survey. [ONLINE] Available at: http://www.ijarcce.com/upload/june/3-Network%20Simulation%20Tools%20Survey.pdf. [Accessed 17 October 2016].