Analysis of source code metrics from ns-2 and ns-3 network simulators

• Published in: Simulation modelling practice and theory 2011-05, Vol.19 (5), p.1330-1346
• Main Authors: Font, Juan Luis, Iñigo, Pablo, Domínguez, Manuel, Sevillano, José Luis, Amaya, Claudio
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Computer programs; Design engineering; Discrete-event simulation; Evolution; Focusing; Networks; ns-2; ns-3; Simulators; Software; Software metrics
• ISSN: 1569-190X; 1878-1462
• DOI: 10.1016/j.simpat.2011.01.009

Ns-2 and its successor ns-3 are discrete-event simulators which are closely related to each other as they share common background, concepts and similar aims. Ns-3 is still under development, but it offers some interesting characteristics for developers while ns-2 still has a large user base. While other studies have compared different network simulators, focusing on performance measurements, in this paper we adopted a different approach by focusing on technical characteristics and using software metrics to obtain useful conclusions. We chose ns-2 and ns-3 for our case study because of the popularity of the former in research and the increasing use of the latter. This reflects the current situation where ns-3 has emerged as a viable alternative to ns-2 due to its features and design. The paper assesses the current state of both projects and their respective evolution supported by the measurements obtained from a broad set of software metrics. By considering other qualitative characteristics we obtained a summary of technical features of both simulators including, architectural design, software dependencies or documentation policies.