OMNEST

What OMNEST is

OMNEST is a discrete-event simulation environment for creating, running, and evaluating models of communication networks, hardware interconnects, and other systems. Its Simulation IDE supports model development, building, configuration, execution, result analysis, trace visualization, and documentation generation. The included INET library provides protocol models for the Internet, TSN, mobile ad hoc networks, and more. OMNEST can work with external simulators, Matlab, SystemC, and HLA. It supports parallel distributed simulation on clusters and multicore or multiprocessor systems, plus real-time emulation and hardware-in-the-loop. The simulation kernel or complete simulations can be embedded in software products under custom licensing. Student coursework and school or university teaching and practice labs are listed as free uses, while industry-oriented research requires a commercial license. Companies may evaluate OMNEST free of charge with technical support. Commercial annual and perpetual named-user licenses are offered by quotation. OMNEST runs on Linux, macOS, Windows, and self-hosted setups, with API access.

Who it suits

OMNEST suits researchers, educators, and engineering teams modeling networks, interconnects, or related systems. It is also relevant to organizations needing distributed simulation, emulation, hardware-in-the-loop, or software embedding.

Limits

Student coursework, school or university teaching, practice labs, and company evaluation are free uses, while industry-oriented research requires a commercial license. Embedding the kernel or complete simulations uses custom licensing, and self-running simulations containing OMNEST require separate consideration.

Getting started

1. Visit the OMNEST website
2. Choose Linux, macOS, Windows, API, or self-hosted deployment
3. Use the free evaluation or an eligible educational use
4. Request a quotation for a commercial annual or perpetual named-user license
5. Build and configure models in the Simulation IDE
6. Use INET or connect external simulators, Matlab, SystemC, or HLA
7. Attend the included one-hour orientation meeting with a purchased license

Verdict

OMNEST combines an IDE, protocol models, integration options, and distributed execution for complex simulation work. Free educational use and company evaluation are available, while commercial research, embedding, and ongoing support involve licensing decisions.