Introduction

OMNeT++ is a C++-based discrete event simulation package primarily targeted at simulating computer networks and other distributed systems.
With the support of EGEE Grid Application Support Centre the OMNeT++ framework has been ported to the EGEE Grid computing platform. The work has exploited the parameter definition services of OMNeT++ and the parameter study support features of P-GRADE Grid Portal.
Using these facilities we have created a distributed application that enables the execution of OMNeT++ simulations on the EGEE and SEE-GRID infrastructures. OMNET++ users can achieve significant speedup in system simulation with this solution.

Features

The grid-based OMNET++ environment enables users to upload NED and INI files into the portal environment and to perform simulations based on them using machines of a distributed grid platform.
The system takes care about load-balancing, file transfer, brokering and other distributed computing issues automatically. Users do not need to modify their locally used NED and INI files to perform simulations on the Grid, the same simulations that have been tested and used on local computers can be performed in the grid now - the only difference is the speed-up that you will gain.
Users are not allowed to upload and use customized OMNET++ modules with this grid service. (Either as source code or as executables.) Only the pre-defined queuing and INET modules of OMNET++ are available for usage in this service. A more advanced solution that targets OMNeT++ module developers is accessible /here/. Using this second service one can integrate his/her own modules into Grid based OMNET++ simulations.

Beneficiaries

Anybody who runs simulations of communication networks, IT systems, queuing networks or business processes with OMNET++ queuing and INET modules can benefit from the solution.
The total execution time of the simulation should be over a few hours on a single computer to feel the need of the grid-enabled version. This is a typical situation for many OMNET++ users, as one run in OMNET++ can lasts for 10-15 minutes and few dozens of those runs are typically needed to evaluate a model under various conditions.
Because OMNeT++ is free for academic and non-profit usage the size of the potential user community of its grid-enabled version is large. OMNeT++ has been available to the public since September 1997, and by now it has a fairly large user community and a mailing list. Besides anonymous downloads, there have been registered downloads from over 40 universities worldwide.

More information

• OMNET++ Community: www.OMNeTpp.org
  
   
• MTA SZTAKI Grid Application Support Centre: www.lpds.sztaki.hu/gasuc
  
   
• Or in this file: simulations_on_grid.pdf (294KB)

Conferences

• EGEE User Forum: egee-uf4.eu-egee.org
  
   
• SIMUTools'09: www.simutools.org/2009/