Create an Ethernet using OPNET modular

November 3, 2003

The purpose of this file is to help a user who is new to OPNET to start on using OPNET. This help file
will guide the user through the basic steps of creating, configuring, simulating and analyzing an ethernet
using OPNET modular.

1. Create the network

1.1 Creating a new project

a. Start the OPNET modeler and from the File menu, choose New, Project, name the project
and the scenario. The default directory for storing the project is C:\op_models. I suggest
naming your project starting with your initials and make a backup copy of all files beginning
with your initials.
b. Create empty scenario and specify the network:
1) Network scale: choose from the list, in this case, choose Office
2) Specify size: e.g. 100m x 100m
3) Choose model family: in this case, choose ethernet

1.2 Creating network topology

There are two ways to create network topologies:

a. Choose objects from the object palette, and then drug the objects and place on the workspace.
b. Use Rapid Configuration:
1) From the Topology menu, choose Rapid Configuration.
2) Select desired topology from the list, e.g. Star.
3) Specify the type of nodes, link, the number of nodes, the size of the topology and the
placement on the workspace.

1.3 Adding configuration objects:

Place an Application Config object and a Profile Config object on the Workspace.

2. Configure the network

2.1 Edit the properties of the objects

The properties of all objects on the workspace can be changed by editing their attributes:

a. Right click on the object you want to edit.

b. Choose Edit Attributes.

2.2 Configure the traffic on the network

To add or modify the amount or types of traffic on the network, you need to edit the Application
Config object and the Profile Config object.

2.2.1 Configure the Application Config object

a. Right click on Application Config, choose Edit Attribute;

b. Choose Application Definition;
 c. Set the application definition to Default, which includes all the applications that the
current network model supports; or edit the application definition to include only the
applications that you need for your network.

2.2.2 Configure the Profile Config object

a. Right click on Profile Config, choose Edit Attribute;

b. Choose Profile Configuration;
c. Set the number of profiles (which is the number of rows) you want to have for your
network.
d. Create profiles. You can use the sample profiles that come with the network model or
create your own. For each profile that you create,
1) Name the profile;
2) Specify the applications that this profile supports. For each application, specify
the type of the application, start time, duration and repeatability.
3) Specify operation mode, start time, duration and repeatability;

Note: Avoid possible conflicts when specify these parameters. For example: if you
have two applications, both applications run on serial mode, have same start time and
duration, then one of the application will not have a chance to start.

2.2.3 Configure the servers

Edit the servers attributes: Application: Supported Service.

If the network has only one server, set the value to all.
If the network has more than one server, each server has specific task, for example, a FTP
server, a mail server, or a database server. For each server, set value to include all the
applications that the server supports.

2.2.4 Configure the workstations

a. For each workstation, Edit the attribute: Application: Supported Service.

b. Set the value to the name of the profile that the workstation supports.

3 Simulation and Collect Statistics:

3.1 Choose Statistics

There are two types of statistics:

a. Object statistics: statistics on individual node. E.g. server load, hub utilization
b. Global statistics: statistics on entire network as a whole. E.g. network delay

To collect object statistics: right click on the object, select Choose Individual Statistics, and then
choose the specific statistics.
To collect global statistics: right click on the object, select Choose Individual Statistics, and then
choose the specific statistics.

3.2 Simulation

From the Simulation menu, choose Configure Discrete Event Simulation, set the duration, seed
of the simulation, then hit run.
4 View Result

a. To view object statistics: right click on the object. To view global statistics: right click on the
workspace.
b. Select View Results.
c. Expand the tree structure and click on the statistics you want to view.