I will recommend OPNET as compared to NS2 due to availability of Graphical User Interface (GUI) in it. It is more laborious for undergraduate students to work with NS2, as there is no GUI available & they have to learn TcL as well. 

i am using CISCO paket tracer because it has basic things and easy to use

I think the best network simulator is the packet tracer.

ns2 can be one of teh best options and alwzs best recommend in academia

Your question does not have a straight forward answer. When it comes to modelling Physical layer behavior, I think Matlab has no rivals. It is also very simple to use. If you intend to model MAC layer and above, then OPNET is way better than NS-2 because of the excellent documentation, ease of use, availability of GUI, technical support etc. NS-2 has very bad documentation but it is open source which is its biggest advantage. In my experience, students who do not have excellent programming skills have a lot of difficulty coding in NS-2.

I would recommend to use both Matlab and OPNET to cover physical layer and well as the rest of the layers. Also you can interface both of the simulators to get the best of both. However, if you do not have OPNET Modeller and your institution does not intend to pay for it (even with the academic license, you are required to pay for the technical support), then you can consider NS-2 and NS-3.

OPNET is quite expensive for commercial usage but there are also free

licenses for educational purposes

We can extract all the details from NS-2 trace files...... so NS-2 is the best choice...NS-2 is difficult for the beginners...by practice will become a EXPERT  

Thanks to all of you colleagues your answer really helpful.... 

I think  OPNET  is the lucky program it  has more than one vote also as some of you mention that OPNET come with  Graphical User Interface (GUI) in it. It is more laborious for undergraduate , also free licenses for educational purposes.

Good evening

I think OPNET is more useful than other program for student labs. OPNET was found to be a better platform that can help to integrate a complete communication node with a different access broadband model. OPNET can provide a platform to create and test an analytic and practical video, voice and Internet model. It can also provide the ability to integrate the model into a different environment.

Packet tracer is suitable for building toplogy .

NS2 if you want to change protocols (it is for senior students & researcher)

I will recommend Packet tracer  suitable for students and compatible with windows OS .

it has friendly user interface make it useful for teaching ...

I too recommend NS2 is user friendly 

I recommend Qualnet simulator, it is easy and user friendly

Ns2 will be really hard for the student

It depends what kind of simulation you will do. If you just need to configure network topology and analyse the network traffic, the Packet tracer and the Wireshark will help you. However, if you want to develop or analyze the behavior of network protocols such as routing, etc., I suggest the NS2. If you need to work with DTN networks use the ONE simulator. For sensor networks maybe the OMNeT++.

NS2 is most used Network Simulator. There are other simulators such as OMNETPP, OPNET Modeller, SenSim etc,

NS2 or OPNET

I think it depends on the subject, for example, OPNET, packet Tracker suitable for teaching some of the labs.

I highly recommend NS2

GNS-3

NS2 or MATLAB which is useful for multi-purpose. 

OPNET is good one and its tutorials are also available... 

If your students have a good background in C/C++, NS2 is a good choice.

NS2 and GLOMOSIM will be better choice

We use Riverbed OPNET Modeler in the Lab to do student assignment and exercises supplementing network design, modelling and performance evaluation.  

I would also recommend NetSim (http://tetcos.com/). 

The network lab practicals manual is very well written and covers all important technologies. And students can easily learn from the videos as well on how to complete the experiments.

OPNET is easy to implement.

Attached is a lab experiment manual for teaching networks using simulation that may be useful for professors teaching this course.

Some useful experiments

• Understand working of ARP, and IP forwarding within a LAN and across a router
• Simulate and study the spanning tree protocol
• Understand the working of Connection Establishmen in TCP
• Appreciate the mathematical modelling of TCP and understand the fundamental relationship between packet loss probability and TCP performance
• Study how throughput and error of a Wireless LAN network changes as the distance between the Access Point and the wireless nodes is varied
• Estimate the capacity of a IEEE 802.11 WLAN Network and compare the same against simulation
• Understand the working of Slow start and Congestion avoidance (Old Tahoe), Fast Retransmit (Tahoe) and Fast Recovery (Reno) Congestion Control Algorithms in TCP
• Understand how channel selection can improve performance of a Wi-Fi network
• Plot the characteristic curve of throughput versus offered traffic for a Pure and Slotted ALOHA system
• Study the working and routing table formation of Routing Information Protocol (RIP) and Open Shortest Path First (OSPF)
• M/D/1 Queuing
• Quality of Service (QoS) in 802.11e based WLANs
• Study the hidden node problem in WLAN
• Analyze the performance of FIFO, Priority and WFQ Queuing Disciplines
• Study how call blocking probability varies as the load on a GSM network is continuously increased
• Study the 802.15.4 SuperFrame Structure and analyze the effect of SuperFrame order on throughput
• In 80.22, analyze how the allocation of frequency spectrum to the Primary and Secondary User affects throughput
• Simulate and study LTE Handover procedure
• Understand the working of LTE Device to Device Communication
• Introduction and working of Internet of Things (IoT)
• Understanding VLAN operation in L2 and L3 Switches
• Understanding Access and Trunk Links in VLANs
• Understanding Public IP Address & NAT (Network Address Translation)
• Understand the working of basic networking commands (Ping, Route Add/Delete/Print, ACL)

We are currently using Riverbed (OPNET) Modeler to teach my Advanced Network Technologies (level 7) course. From next semester we will be using OMNET++ to teach the same course because of open source platform.

We use NetSim for our Under graduate and Post Graduate Networking labs

I would recommend also NetSim. Another benefit is that given the COVID situation our students are able to work on NetSim their homes.

I agree with ashwini. Even our students were able to show some implementation using NetSim.

I would recommend you to use GNS3 emulator. it is very easy to learn and use.

NetSim ...

With NetSim you can aim to play nicely within the industry’s ecosystem and use a familiar simulation tool. I use it for teaching network design architecture.

We are currently using OMNET++ in the Advanced Network Technologies course/lab. Previously we used Riverbed Modeler (previously OPNET Modeler)

NetSim. They have an excellent experiments manual (http://www.tetcos.com/downloads/v12.2/NetSim_Experiment_Manual.pdf)

Cisco Packet Tracer 6.1 for Windows (with tutorials) – Student version

its good for students

I think it depends on what you want to achieve and the scope of the course or programme. Packet Tracer and GNS3 are good software especially when you want to understand the device-level configuration such as Router, switches. It gives you a high-level understanding of how the network operates. But if you want to analyse a particular parameter to understand the protocol performance, it is better to go with NS3, NS2, OMNET++ (Open Source). NS3 and NS2 are different network simulators, not a version. The former three network simulator is very effective for research work and needs to spend a good time to understand and modify the code. OPNET is a very good software but expensive due to licesnse.

Every simulator has promising features to be used. If you want to conduct experiments regarding the study of the dynamic nature of communication networks. Simulation of wired as well as wireless network functions and protocols (e.g., routing algorithms, TCP, UDP) can be done successfully using NS2. The OPNET simulate the behavior and performance of any type of network. The main difference between Opnet Network Simulator comparing to other simulators lies in its power and versatility. OMNET ++ is s a modular, component-based C++ simulation library and framework, primarily for building network simulators. OMNeT++ can be used for free for non-commercial simulations like at academic institutions and teaching. TRUE TIME is good that can be used to support Spanner - Google's globally distributed, and synchronously-replicated database. In Spanner, TrueTime is used to guarantee the strictest concurrency-control for transactions at the global scale. In conclusion, I would say all of these simulators are amazing and possessing promising characteristics, but it depends on what type of scenarios are being used for simulation purposes. I would recommend NS3 that is the latest version of NS2 that has greater utilities as compared to other tools.

OMNet

opnet

We use NetSim widely for our lab experimentation and for R & D. The list of in-built lab experiments are available

OMNET

Hi, I recommend you the Cooja Simulator from Contiki-NG, it allows the emulation of common sensor network platforms like TelosB, Zolertia, etc. More over, Contiki implements 6LoWPAN which brings the abitlity to build sensor networks based on IP addressing. The emulation feature brings several adventajes for debuging, testing communication and other things.

We use NetSim Academic version - https://tetcos.com/netsim-acad.html

Try OMNET++. It is an open source software and can be used at no costs

NetSim is the most widely used. The labs (experiments) manual is available at https://www.tetcos.com/documentation/NetSim/v13/NetSim-Experiments-Manual/index.htm

We use NetSim for our B-Tech and M-Tech programs. The labs we run are given NetSim Experiment Manual

Please define your academic environment. What are the expectations of the students, what is the level of study, what is the study program?

cloudsim

Dear Abdulmunem Khudhair

You find many video tutorials about OMNeT++ on the following youtube channel. Therefore, it's easier to use for teaching.

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCUZztE5RcobsuNjsTTfvyOQ/playlists

Best regards,

Mahmood A. Al-shareeda

I think NS3 is the best simulation tools for students

We are using OMNET++ in the undergraduate networking Lab.

Choose a credible simulator for network simulation task, such as OMNET++, Ns-2/3, and Riverbed (OPNET). We are currently using OMNET++ because of open source. In the past we used OPNET (now Riverbed) academic version.

NS, Packet tracer are ok in lab

packet tracer, ns3, ominet c++

GNS3 Tool suitable for all types of network simulation ( Traffic, simulation, ip connection...

etc..)

1. Riverbed Modeler (known as Opnet).

2. Omnet++

3. NS 2/3

1. Riverbed Modeler, easy but licensing is a bit expensive.

2. Omnet++, very good, but you need a better understanding of the networks for this tool.

3. NS 2/3 ( NS2 is outdated now, but NS3 would be a better option if you have every good programming skill.

4. NetSim-Network Simulator ( I would rate this tool as No.1 for teaching to students in a class).

There are so many other tools such as Packet tracer, GNS3, which can be taught at the undergraduate level. Although these tools are not ideal for research, however, can be an excellent choice for beginning courses of networks.

GNS3, OMNeT++, OPNET, MATLAB, COOJA SIMULATOR, NETSIM, NS3

We tried a lot of open source tools but finally shifted to NetSim academic. They have an in-built set of well-written lab experiments, across all networking technologies which you can find in https://tetcos.com/netsim-acad.html

MatLab

Both Riverbed Modeler (commercial package) and OMNET++ (open source) software can be used in the classroom effectively. In the past, we have used Riverbed (former OPNET) Modeler in the lab for teaching Level 7 Advanced Network Technologies (undergraduate course). Currently, we are using OMNET++ for the same course.

It depends upon how much your institution can pay. Qualnet simulation is good for students learning. But, it is a commercial software. Your institutions have to pay nearly 10 Lakh indian rupees.

Otherwise, NS2/NS3 or OPNET will be better.

I would recommend CISCO Packet Tracer. It supports some of the latest technologies including IPv6 and internet-of-things (IoT) modelling. I am not sure if other simulators do that. It is also easier compared to ns2/ns3 and simpler to use from what I have heard. Lastly, CISCO certification courses such as CCNA1/2 can be though directly on this tool.

We use NetSim in our university. The list of lab experiments is available in https://tetcos.com/netsim-acad.html

I would recommend using Packet Tracer! it is also supporting IoT and IPv6. Very easy to use and its documentation is available on the internet.

NetSim. If you would like to know more, see https://tetcos.com/netsim-documentation.html. Lots of excellent examples for classroom teaching and lab work.

yes, rightly said

I normally use NS2 in simulations

We use TETCOS NetSim and it is also widely used in Malaysia /SE Asia. Since it has wired, wireless, mobile and cellular libraries the same tool can be used to cover many different undergrad and post labs. It is definitely much easier to use and understand when compared to open-source tools.

NetSim has an academic version for teaching/labs and a standard version for R & D. Prices are discounted for Edu, and hence worth trying out a free eval

agreed

I would recommend Riverbed (Opnet) Modeler to study the performance of wired, and wireless networks.

The Modeler provides development environment with built-in tools to develop and evaluate the wired/wireless technologies and protocols. The existing technologies or protocols can be modified by using visual studio.

We use TETCOS NetSim and it is also widely used in Malaysia /SE Asia. Since it has wired, wireless, mobile and cellular libraries the same tool can be used to cover many different undergrad and post labs. It is definitely much easier to use and understand when compared to open-source tools.

NetSim has an academic version for teaching/labs and a standard version for R & D. Prices are discounted for Edu, and hence worth trying out a free eval

yes

I recommend either ns-2 or ns-3.

I think NS2 is better, but you have to install other framework such as mannasim.

Use NetSim simulator tool.

We use NetSim (https://www.tetcos.com (https://www.tetcos.com/)) in the labs at our university.

I recommend including NetSim as a network simulator for students in labs. The reasons include:

NetSim has pre-configured network examples and detailed documentation, aiding student accessibility.

It streamlines configuring complex network scenarios, helping students concentrate on learning.

Students can modify network protocols with NetSim since it includes source C codes

The simulator integrates with programming languages and tools like MATLAB and Python.

NetSim offers strong user support, helping students during their lab work