Introduction¶
What is INET Framework¶
INET Framework is an open-source model library for the OMNeT++ simulation environment. It provides protocols, agents and other models for researchers and students working with communication networks. INET is especially useful when designing and validating new protocols, or exploring new or exotic scenarios.
INET supports a wide class of communication networks, including wired, wireless, mobile, ad hoc and sensor networks. It contains models for the Internet stack (TCP, UDP, IPv4, IPv6, OSPF, BGP, etc.), link layer protocols (Ethernet, PPP, IEEE 802.11, various sensor MAC protocols, etc), refined support for the wireless physical layer, MANET routing protocols, DiffServ, MPLS with LDP and RSVP-TE signalling, several application models, and many other protocols and components. It also provides support for node mobility, advanced visualization, network emulation and more.
Several other simulation frameworks take INET as a base, and extend it into specific directions, such as vehicular networks, overlay/peer-to-peer networks, or LTE.
Designed for Experimentation¶
INET is built around the concept of modules that communicate by message passing. Agents and network protocols are represented by components, which can be freely combined to form hosts, routers, switches, and other networking devices. New components can be programmed by the user, and existing components have been written so that they are easy to understand and modify.
INET benefits from the infrastructure provided by OMNeT++. Beyond making use of the services provided by the OMNeT++ simulation kernel and library (component model, parameterization, result recording, etc.), this also means that models may be developed, assembled, parameterized, run, and their results evaluted from the comfort of the OMNeT++ Simulation IDE, or from the command line.
INET Framework is maintained by the OMNeT++ team for the community, utilizing patches and new models contributed by members of the community.
Scope of this Manual¶
This manual is written for users who are interested in assembling simulations using the components provided by the INET Framework. (In contrast, if you are interested in modifing INET’s components or plan to extend INET with new protocols or other components using C++, we recommend the INET Developers Guide.)
This manual does not attempt to be a reference for INET. It concentrates on conveying the big picture, and does not attempt to cover all components, or try to document the parameters, gates, statistics or precise operation of individual components. For such information, users should refer to the INET Reference, a web-based cross-referenced documentation generated from NED and MSG files.
A working knowledge of OMNeT++ is assumed.