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Here is a welcome learning aid for anyone who needs to go beyond the basics in network simulation. It provides all the information required to install NS2, run simple examples, modify existing NS2 modules, and incorporate new modules into the software.

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Introduction to Network Simulator NS2 is a primer providing materials for NS2 beginners, whether students, professors, or researchers for understanding the architecture of Network Simulator 2 (NS2) and for incorporating simulation modules into NS2. The authors discuss the simulation architecture and the key components of NS2 including simulation-related objects, network objects, packet-related objects, and helper objects.
The NS2 modules included within are nodes, links, SimpleLink objects, packets, agents, and applications. Further, the book covers three helper modules: timers, random number generators, and error models. Also included are chapters on summary of debugging, variable and packet tracing, result compilation, and examples for extending NS2. Two appendices provide the details of scripting language Tcl, OTcl and AWK, as well object oriented programming used extensively in NS2.

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Simulation of Computer Networks.- Introduction to Network Simulator 2 (NS2).- Linkage Between OTcl and C++ in NS2.- Implementation of Discrete-Event Simulation in NS2.- Network Objects: Creation, Configuration and Packet Forwarding.- Nodes as Routers or Computer Hosts.- Link and Buffer Management.- Packets, Packet Headers and Header Format.- Transport Control Protocols Part 1 - An Overview and User Datagram Protocol Implementation.- Transport Control Protocols Part 2 - Transmission Control Protocol (TCP).- Application: User Demand Indicator.- Wireless Mobile Ad Hoc Networks.- Developing New Modules for NS2.- Post Simulation Processing: Debugging, Tracing and Result Compilation.- Related Helper Classes.- Appendix A: Programming Essentials.- Appendix B: A Review of the Polymorphism Concept in OOP.- Appendix C: BSD Link List and Bit Level Functions.

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From the reviews of the second edition:

"This book on ns-2 can be used as a reference by researchers, as well as by undergraduate and postgraduate students. It will be useful for courses related to computer networks. ... It has added exercises at the end of the chapters that are meant to be used for assignments, lab exercises, and exam questions. ... I recommend this book for all those who are using ns-2 or plan to use it in the future. It will serve as a useful reference." (S. V. Nagaraj, ACM Computing Reviews, January, 2013)

"The book is designed to be a primer for the network simulator NS2. ... This textbook is written for researchers who need to use NS2 for simulation-based communication network performance evaluation. It can also be used as a reference for laboratory work for a senior undergraduate or graduate course on telecommunication networks." (IEEE Control Systems Magazine, June, 2012)

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