1. Introduction to Opnet faizaiqbal@ceme.nust.edu.pk
Mobile Networks
Introduction to Opnet

2. Opnet Workflow Project Editor View and Create Run Choose Analyze
Simulation
View and
Analyze
Results
Create
Network
Models
Choose
Statistics

3. Opnet’s editors Network Models Node Models Process Models
Represent data networks
Run simulations on network
Node Models
Model devices in the network
Process Models
Represent communication protocols, CPUs, queuing systems
Process
Node
Network

4. Network model – Project Editor
Project Editor Workspace

5. Node model – Node editor

6. Process model – Process Editor
Finite state machines (FSM)
States and transitions coded in C or C++

7. And many more editors Link editor Path editor Packet format editor
Probe editor
Simulation sequence editor
Modulation curve editor
Antenna pattern editor, etc….

8. Projects and Scenarios
Project-and-Scenario approach to modeling network
Project: collection of related network scenarios.
Scenario: is a single instance of the network. Typically, a scenario represents a unique configuration of the network.

9. The Project/Scenario Workflow
Create Project
Create Baseline Scenario
Import or create topology
Import or create traffic
Choose results
Run simulation, view results
Duplicate Scenario
Make changes
Re-run simulation
Compare results
Iterate

10. Object Hierarchy
Subnets: represent various network objects in a single component (may contain various LAN, node and link models)
LAN: a local area network abstracted as a single node
Nodes: represent servers, switches, gateways, workstations, or any other physical device
Links: represent the physical link between nodes

11. Organizing Models – Object Palettes
An object palette is a graphical dialog box that displays a group of nodes and link models
Object palettes can be customized to contain only the nodes and links that we need

12. Run
Simulation
View and
Analyze
Results
Create
Network
Models
Choose
Statistics
1) Create the network
New project
New scenario -> Startup Wizard
Topology
Rapid Configuration: Star
Choose switch
Choose wkst (30 stations)
Size = office network, 100 x 100 m
Object Palette:
Choose server
Choose link between server and switch (10BaseT)
2) Create the traffic
Object Palette: Application configuration (database access)
Profile definition

13. Run
Simulation
View and
Analyze
Results
Create
Network
Models
Choose
Statistics
3) Choose statistics
Object statistic (server): SERVER LOAD (bps)
Global statistic : ETHERNET DELAY (sec)
4) Simulation
Configure simulation
Time = 0.5 h
Seed

14. We’ll do the small internetwork example in the lab
Important concepts to remember:
Project Editor => to create a network
Node Editor => to model network equipment
Process Editor => to model modules (functions)
of the network equipment
Object Palette => a collection of node models
Project = {scenario 1, scenario 2, …..}
Process
Node
Network

15. Simple Client-Server Network
simple example of OPNET IT Guru to demonstrate the basic operations in creating and simulation a model

16. Follow the dialog boxes, selecting the following options:
Start a new project: File->New...->Project. Give a useful name to the project and scenario (e.g. ProjectDemoClientServer).
Follow the dialog boxes, selecting the following options:
Initial Topology: Create Empty Scenario
Network Scale: Office
Size: 100m by 100m
Model Family: ethernet

17. The office area will be created and the Object Palette opened
The office area will be created and the Object Palette opened. Place the following objects in the network: Application Config
Profile Config
ethernet_wkstn (will be our client)
ethernet_server (will be our server)
ethernet16_switch (a 16 port switch to connect our client and server)
100BaseT links (connect the client to switch and switch to server)

18. Give the objects meaningful names by right-click and select Set Name. E.g. Client, Switch, Server, Applications, Profiles.
In the Application Definition object (now called Applications), right-click and select Edit Attributes
Select Application Definitions and set the rows to 1
For Row 0, give the application a name (such as Web)
In the Description attribute, for HTTP, select Image Browsing Press Ok to close the attributes for the Applications.

19. Edit attributes for the Profiles, add a new profile with name Web User For the Web User profile, add a new application (set rows to 1)
Select the Web application Press Ok to close the attributes for the Profiles.
Right-click on the Server and select Edit Attributes Set Application: Supported Services to All, and then press Ok
Right-click on the Client and select Edit Attributes Under Application: Supported Profiles add a new row and select the Web User profile, then press Ok

20. Right-click on the Client and select Choose Individual Statistics Select all items under Client HTTP (they will have green ticks after you select them)
Repeat the above two steps for the Server and Switch, however select the statistics Server HTTP for the Server and Switch for the Switch.
From the main menu select Simulation->Choose Individual Statistics... Under Global Statistics, select all items under HTTP and Ethernet, and then press Ok

21. From the main menu select Simulation->Configure Discrete Event Simulation... Press the Run button.
Your simulation will take several seconds to execute, finally ending with a message showing the Beginning simulation and time and Simulation Completed - Collating Results.
Press the Close button. From the main menu select Results->View Results... Select the following three statistics:
Object Statistics->Office Network->Client->Client HTTP- >Traffic Sent (bytes/sec)
Object Statistics->Office Network->Client->Client HTTP- >Traffic Received (bytes/sec)
Object Statistics->Office Network->Client->Client HTTP- >Page Response Time (seconds)
Press the Show button

22. After looking at the results (you can right-click in the results window to make changes), return to the View Results window Click on the As Is option and select instead average, then press Show again.
Close both of the plot panels - select Hide for each.
Close the View Results window.

23. Lab Task
From the main menu select Scenarios- >Duplicate Scenario... and select a name such as Client2_Server
Add a new client (you can use copy and paste) so you now have Client1 and Client2 From the main menu select Results->Delete All Panels
Choose the same statistics for Client2 as in the previous scenario, run a simulation and view the results again.
Compare the page response time for Client1 and Client2.