Abstract

This paper describes Nest, a testbed which provides a simulated network environment for developing and analyzing distributed systems and algorithms. Nest has a number of interesting features, including a transparent implementation of lightweight processes under UNIX, and a distributed monitoring facility with a graphical user interface. Introduction Nest (Network Simulation Testbed) is a tool for simulating and prototyping distributed algorithms and systems. Nest allows the simulation of arbitrary network topologies and communication characteristics. In addition, the network can be configured and controlled dynamically within the program, or through a mouse-driven graphical user interface which displays the state of the network and allows the user to change it. Nest is provided as a library of functions which are linked together with the user's code, and can be used with any language that follows the standard stack discipline; this approach to network simulation has also been used by...

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