Nam animator using network protocol

Abstract

Protocol design requires Understanding state distributed across many nodes, complex message exchanges, and with competing traÆc. Traditional analysis tools (such as packet traces) too often hide protocol dynamics in a mass of extraneous detail. This paper presents nam, a network animator that provides packet-level animation and protocol-specific graphs to aid the design and debugging of new network protocols. Taking data from network simulators (such as ns) or live networks, nam was one of the first tools to provide general purpose, packet-level and network animation. Nam now integrates traditional time-event plots of protocol actions and scenario editing capabilities. We describe how nam visualizes protocol and network dynamics.