IMUNES is a network emulator and simulator for building general-purpose IP network experiments on FreeBSD and Linux. Its graphical interface manages experiments and creates and configures nodes and links. Each virtual node has separate IPv4, IPv6, IPsec, socket, firewall settings, and address space; links can add delay, bit errors, duplication, or bandwidth controls. The project says one physical machine can host hundreds to thousands of virtual nodes. Experiments use standard UNIX APIs, so BSD and Linux binaries can run unmodified, and the project describes experiments as starting in seconds. Linux uses Docker for virtual nodes, while FreeBSD uses jails and netgraph. The project also describes JSON configuration and live changes to nodes, interfaces, and links during a running experiment. Downloads include source repositories, examples, security scenarios, manuals, and virtual machine images. IMUNES is free, with desktop deployment and real-time emulation and hardware-in-the-loop support.
Who it is for
IMUNES suits network engineers, researchers, and educators who need to model IP networks or adjust traffic behavior. It may also suit teams running experiments on Linux or FreeBSD systems.
What is good
- Supports hundreds to thousands of virtual nodes on one machine.
- Links can model delay, bit errors, duplication, and bandwidth.
- Supports live changes to running experiments.
- Free, with public source repositories and manuals.
What to know first
- Linux requires kernel 3.10 or newer and Docker daemon.
- The README instructs users to run experiments as root.
- Latest listed image is a 4GB beta OVA.
Verdict
IMUNES provides configurable network experiments with real-time emulation and hardware-in-the-loop support. Linux users need Docker and the stated kernel minimum, and experiments require root privileges per the README.
IMUNES plans and pricing
All plansCompared on network simulation software
- Free plan
- Yes
- Simulation model
- emulation
- Real-time emulation
- Yes
- Hardware-in-the-loop
- Yes
- Deployment options
- desktop
- Automation API
- Yes
