How to Build Complex, Large-Scale Emulated Networks

This paper describes AutoNetkit, an auto-configuration tool for complex network emulations using Netkit, allowing large-scale networks to be tested on commodity hardware. AutoNetkit uses an object orientated approach for router configuration management, significantly reducing the complexities in large-scale network configuration. Using AutoNetkit, a user can generate large and complex emulations quickly without errors. We have used AutoNetkit to successfully generate a number of different large networks with complex routing/security policies. In our test case, AutoNetkit can generate 100,000 lines of device configuration code from only 50 lines of high-level network specification code.