In this article, we will focus on Netsim (Cisco NSO network simulator).
The ncs-netsim simulation tool is used to simulate a network of devices to be managed by NSO mostly used in an development environment with NSO local install . The simulation tool makes it easy to test Cisco NSO packages against simulated devices. All you need is the Cisco NSO NED(Network Element Drivers) packages for the devices that you need to simulate.
Cisco NSO NetSim is a network simulation tool designed to help network engineers and operators create virtual network topologies for testing and validation purposes. It provides a safe and controlled environment for testing changes to a network, without the risk of disrupting production networks.
With NSO NetSim, network engineers can create a virtual network topology that closely resembles their production network. They can simulate different network scenarios and test changes before deploying them to the production network. This helps to ensure that changes are thoroughly tested and validated before being pushed to the live network.
NSO NetSim can simulate various types of network devices, including routers, switches, and firewalls. It supports a wide range of protocols, including OSPF, BGP, MPLS, and more. Users can also customize the simulated devices and protocols to fit their specific testing needs.
One of the key benefits of NSO NetSim is its ease of use. It provides a simple graphical user interface (GUI) that allows users to create and configure virtual network topologies quickly and easily. The GUI also provides real-time feedback on network changes, allowing users to see the impact of their changes before they are applied.
Another benefit of NSO NetSim is its scalability. It can simulate large and complex network topologies, making it suitable for testing changes to enterprise-level networks. It also integrates with other Cisco network management tools, such as Cisco NSO and Cisco DNA Center, to provide a comprehensive network management solution.
In conclusion, Cisco NSO NetSim is a powerful network simulation tool that helps network engineers and operators to test and validate network changes in a safe and controlled environment. Its ease of use, scalability, and integration with other Cisco network management tools make it an excellent choice for network testing and validation. If you’re a network engineer or operator looking to improve the reliability and stability of your network, consider using Cisco NSO NetSim.
Let’s start with netsim help:
❯ ncs-netsim --help
Usage ncs-netsim [--dir <NetsimDir>]
create-network <NcsPackage> <NumDevices> <Prefix> |
create-device <NcsPackage> <DeviceName> |
add-to-network <NcsPackage> <NumDevices> <Prefix> |
add-device <NcsPackage> <DeviceName> |
delete-network |
[-a | --async] start [devname] |
[-a | --async ] stop [devname] |
[-a | --async ] reset [devname] |
[-a | --async ] restart [devname] |
list |
is-alive [devname] |
status [devname] |
whichdir |
ncs-xml-init [devname] |
ncs-xml-init-remote <RemoteNodeName> [devname] |
[--force-generic] |
packages |
netconf-console devname [XpathFilter] |
[-w | --window] [cli | cli-c | cli-i] devname |
get-port devname [ipc | netconf | cli | snmp]
See manpage for ncs-netsim for more info. NetsimDir is optional
and defaults to ./netsim, any netsim directory above in the path,
or $NETSIM_DIR if set.
The command create-network is used to create a new simulated network elements. The simulation network is written into a directory. This directory contains references to NCS packages that are used to emulate the network. These references are in the form of relative filenames. Thus , the simulation network can be moved as long as the packages that are used in the network are also moved.
The create-network command can be given multiple times in one invocation of ncs-netsim. The mandatory parameters are as follows:
❯ ncs-netsim --help
Usage ncs-netsim [--dir <NetsimDir>]
create-network <NcsPackage> <NumDevices> <Prefix> |
create-device <NcsPackage> <DeviceName> |
add-to-network <NcsPackage> <NumDevices> <Prefix> |
add-device <NcsPackage> <DeviceName> |
delete-network |
[-a | --async] start [devname] |
[-a | --async ] stop [devname] |
[-a | --async ] reset [devname] |
[-a | --async ] restart [devname] |
list |
is-alive [devname] |
status [devname] |
whichdir |
ncs-xml-init [devname] |
ncs-xml-init-remote <RemoteNodeName> [devname] |
[--force-generic] |
packages |
netconf-console devname [XpathFilter] |
[-w | --window] [cli | cli-c | cli-i] devname |
get-port devname [ipc | netconf | cli | snmp]
See manpage for ncs-netsim for more info. NetsimDir is optional
and defaults to ./netsim, any netsim directory above in the path,
or $NETSIM_DIR if set.