A Software Architecture for Large Multi-simulation Experiments over Ad Hoc Networks Using NS-3 Discrete-Event Network Simulator

One of the challenges facing the researcher in the field of mobile ad-hoc networks is estimation of the mathematical models effectiveness. Due to very high complexity of network models consisted of large numbers of nodes moving with arbitrary speed, simulating using discrete-event systems has become the main tool to calculate the metrics of the developed models compared with the state of art solutions in the target area. NS-3 is one of the discrete-event simulators, widely used by researchers. Most papers omit technical details of experiment environment, making reproducing of results a difficult task. In this paper we propose a software architecture based on modern technologies that aims the goal of creating reproducible and easy scalable computing environment to run, manage and collect results of multi-simulation experiments using NS-3. We decompose this task and observe different tools and approaches that can be used as part of such system. Proposed system can be useful for driving experiments in wide range of research areas from evaluating of software defined radio models to ad-hoc networks routing protocols.