Capabilities

NetEmulator®: An Integrated Networking Environment

NetEmulator provides a comprehensive, integrated networking environment that combines:

  • Configuration
  • Visualization
  • Analysis
  • Troubleshooting
  • Security implementation

This breadth enables students to move beyond isolated tasks and develop network-level reasoning, preparing them for real-world networking roles in small business and enterprise environments. Below is our list of capabilities.

NetEmulator® Capabilities, Features, and Technologies

The capabilities listed below reflect NetEmulator® release 1.8. Release 2.0 (June 2026) will add cybersecurity devices and features.

1. Network Design and Topology Construction

2. Device Configuration and Management

3. IP Addressing and Subnetting

4. Packet-Level Visualization and Analysis

5. Protocol Implementation and Exploration

6. Switching and Layer 2 Operations

7. Routing and Layer 3 Operations

8. VLANs and Network Segmentation

9. Wireless Networking

10. Network Services Configuration

11. Access Control and Network Security

12. Router Security and Management

13. Troubleshooting and Diagnostic Tools

14. Layered Troubleshooting Methodology

15. End-to-End Network Validation

16. Advanced Network Integration

17. Discovery-Based and Experiential Learning

18. Realistic Network Behavior Simulation

19. Skills Development Outcomes

20. Pedagogical Strengths for Instructors

21. Supported Device Capabilities

22. Supported Computer/Laptop CLI Commands

23. Supported Router CLI Commands

1. Network Design and Topology Construction

NetEmulator enables students to design, build, and configure a wide range of network topologies, reinforcing both conceptual understanding and practical skills.

  • Creation of physical and logical topologies (star, extended star, routed networks)
  • Device-level connection modeling using realistic port selection
  • Support for structured network growth and expansion scenarios
  • Visualization of topology relationships and network segmentation
  • Emphasis on real-world design constraints and best practices

2. Device Configuration and Management

The platform provides hands-on configuration of essential networking devices, simulating real administrative tasks. For a complete list of device capabilities, see, Supported Device Capabilities.

  • Configuration of end devices, switches, routers, and wireless access points
  • Interface-level configuration including IP addressing and subnet masks
  • Default gateway configuration for routed communication
  • Multi-interface router configuration across subnets
  • Device-level service configuration (DNS, DHCP, Web services)

3. IP Addressing and Subnetting

NetEmulator® supports deep learning of IPv4 addressing principles through applied configuration and validation.

  • Manual IP address and subnet mask configuration
  • Identification of network ID and host ID
  • Enforcement of valid addressing rules (network, broadcast, host ranges)
  • CIDR-based subnet design and implementation
  • Multi-subnet network configuration and testing
  • Address planning aligned with routing requirements

4. Packet-Level Visualization and Analysis

A distinguishing feature of NetEmulator® is its ability to expose packet structure and behavior in detail.

  • Visualization of packets as they traverse the network
  • Step-by-step packet movement through devices
  • Network log that maintains history of session activity
  • Inspection of protocol headers across layers:
    • Ethernet (MAC addressing)
    • IP (logical addressing)
    • Transport (TCP/UDP ports)
    • Application (DNS, HTTP, DHCP)
  • Differentiation between broadcast and unicast traffic
  • Analysis of packet transformations across network hops

5. Protocol Implementation and Exploration

Students interact directly with core networking protocols, observing their real-time behavior.

Core Protocols

  • ARP (Address Resolution Protocol)
  • ICMP (ping operations)
  • IP (routing and addressing)
  • TCP (connection-oriented communication)
  • UDP (connectionless communication)

Application Layer Protocols

  • DNS (name resolution)
  • HTTP (web communication)
  • DHCP (automatic IP configuration)

6. Switching and Layer 2 Operations

NetEmulator® provides detailed insight into switch behavior and LAN communication.

  • MAC address table learning and inspection
  • Frame forwarding based on MAC addresses
  • Broadcast and unicast traffic handling
  • Comparison of switch vs hub behavior
  • Collision domain concepts and segmentation
  • Efficient vs inefficient network design demonstration

7. Routing and Layer 3 Operations

The platform supports both foundational and advanced routing concepts.

  • Static routing configuration
  • Dynamic routing using RIPv2
  • Routing table analysis (connected, static, dynamic routes)
  • Interpretation of:
    • Next-hop addresses
    • Metrics (hop count)
    • Administrative distance
  • End-to-end connectivity across multiple routers
  • Troubleshooting missing or incorrect routes

8. VLANs and Network Segmentation

NetEmulator® enables segmentation of networks into logical broadcast domains.

  • VLAN creation and management
  • Assignment of switch ports to VLANs
  • Broadcast domain isolation
  • Trunk port configuration (802.1Q tagging)
  • Inter-switch VLAN communication
  • Router-on-a-stick configuration for inter-VLAN routing

9. Wireless Networking

The platform includes wireless networking capabilities integrated with wired infrastructure.

  • Access point configuration
  • SSID assignment and management
  • Wireless client configuration
  • Simulation of unbounded wireless media behavior
  • WPA3 authentication and encryption setup
  • Integration of wireless and wired networks

10. Network Services Configuration

Students configure and validate essential enterprise network services.

DNS

  • Creation of DNS records
  • Name-to-IP resolution
  • Client-server interaction modeling

DHCP

  • DHCP server configuration
  • Address pool creation
  • Automatic IP assignment process
  • DHCP message flow (DISCOVER, OFFER, REQUEST, ACK)
  • DHCP in routed environments

Web Services

  • HTTP server configuration
  • Browser-based access testing
  • HTTP request/response analysis

11. Access Control and Network Security

NetEmulator® provides robust support for implementing and testing security policies.

Access Control Lists (ACLs)

  • Standard ACL configuration (subnet-level filtering)
  • Extended ACL configuration (protocol and port filtering)
  • Rule sequencing and evaluation logic
  • Interface-based ACL application (inbound/outbound)
  • Policy enforcement through traffic filtering

Security Policy Implementation

  • Selective service access (e.g., allow HTTP/DNS, block others)
  • Blocking insecure protocols (e.g., Telnet)
  • Controlled access to network resources

12. Router Security and Management

The platform includes foundational router hardening techniques.

  • Password protection for user and privileged modes
  • Command-line interface (CLI) security
  • Secure remote management configuration
  • Restriction of access using ACLs
  • SSH access control and Telnet blocking
  • Minimization of attack surface

13. Troubleshooting and Diagnostic Tools

NetEmulator® emphasizes structured troubleshooting aligned with industry practices.

  • Use of ping for connectivity testing
  • Traceroute for path analysis and failure localization
  • Scan tool for port and access validation
  • Network log that maintains history of session activity
  • Detailed error messages that can be disabled in Challenge mode
  • Identification of failure points across layers

14. Layered Troubleshooting Methodology

Students learn to diagnose issues systematically using the TCP/IP model.

  • Network Access layer troubleshooting (physical connections)
  • Internetwork layer troubleshooting (IP addressing and routing)
  • Transport layer analysis (TCP/UDP behavior including TCP 3-way handshake)
  • Application layer troubleshooting (DNS, HTTP, DHCP)

15. End-to-End Network Validation

The platform emphasizes measurable outcomes and verification.

  • Validation of connectivity within and across subnets
  • Service accessibility testing (DNS, HTTP)
  • Verification of allowed vs blocked traffic
  • Confirmation of routing and policy effectiveness
  • Iterative testing and refinement of configurations

16. Advanced Network Integration

NetEmulator® supports complex, multi-technology scenarios.

  • Integration of wired and wireless networks
  • Multi-subnet and multi-service environments
  • Dynamic routing in expanding networks
  • Coordinated configuration of services and policies
  • Selective reachability based on security requirements

17. Discovery-Based and Experiential Learning

The platform is designed to promote active, inquiry-driven learning.

  • Scenario-based labs requiring investigation and reasoning
  • Progressive complexity from basic to advanced networking tasks
  • Real-world problem-solving contexts
  • Immediate feedback through simulation outcomes
  • Emphasis on understanding over memorization
  • Multi-step labs with “Self-check” question between steps
  • Selectable completion meter to show progress on each step
  • Study mode with detailed error messages and “Show-me” feature
  • Challenge mode turns off detailed error messages and disables “Show-me.”

18. Realistic Network Behavior Simulation

NetEmulator® closely models real network behavior to prepare students for real-world environments.

  • Accurate protocol interactions and dependencies
  • Broadcast and unicast traffic propagation
  • Router behavior across multiple hops
  • Service dependencies (e.g., DNS before HTTP)
  • Layered encapsulation and decapsulation processes

19. Skills Development Outcomes

Students using NetEmulator® develop a comprehensive set of networking competencies:

  • Network design and implementation
  • Device configuration and management
  • Protocol analysis and troubleshooting
  • Security policy enforcement
  • Service configuration and validation
  • Systematic problem-solving across network layers

20. Pedagogical Strengths for Instructors

NetEmulator® aligns with instructional and accreditation needs.

  • Skills-based, hands-on learning approach
  • Scaffolded progression from foundational to advanced topics
  • Alignment with industry-relevant technologies
  • Measurable learning outcomes through task completion
  • Support for both guided labs and open-ended problem solving
  • Selectable completion meter to show progress on each step
  • Multi-step labs with “Self-check” question between steps to gauge understanding
  • Each step can be a continuation of the previous step or a new scenario
  • Graded end of lab quiz with LMS integration

21. Supported Device Capabilities

Routers

  • Four Ethernet and two serial interfaces
  • Ethernet sub-interfaces with 802.1q tagging
  • Static routing
  • RIPv2 dynamic routing
  • Standard and extended ACLs
  • GUI and CLI configuration of most features
  • Additional features in progress

Switches

  • 26 Ethernet Interfaces
  • VLANs
  • Trunk ports
  • Additional features in progress

Access Points

  • SSID configuration
  • Open WPA, WPA2, WPA3 authentication modes
  • Uplink port

Hubs

  • Four Ethernet ports

Servers

  • DNS Server, Web Server, DHCP Server
  • Static IP address assignment
  • Additional Application layer protocols in progress

Computer

  • Web browser interface
  • Terminal/CLI interface
  • Static and DHCP IP address assignment
  • Additional features in progress

Laptop

  • Web browser interface
  • Terminal/CLI interface
  • Static IP address assignment
  • WiFi configuration

22. Supported Computer/Laptop CLI Commands

  • arp -a, -d, -d <ip-address>, help
  • exit
  • http <ip-address | hostname>
  • ipconfig /renew
  • nslookup
  • ping
  • scan <ip-address | hostname> <tcp | udp> <port>
  • traceroute
  • wget <ip-address | hostname>
  • Additional commands in progress

23. Supported Router CLI Commands

User Mode (>)

  • ?
  • enable
  • ping <destination>
  • traceroute <destination>
  • nslookup <hostname>
  • http <url> [path]
  • wget <url> [path]
  • scan <ip-address-or-dns-name> <tcp|udp> <port>
  • ipconfig /renew
  • arp -a
  • arp -d <ip>|*
  • show access-list
  • show access-lists
  • show ip route
  • show interfaces
  • show ip interface
  • show ip interfaces
  • show arp
  • show ip protocols
  • show rip
  • show running-config interface <interface>
  • packetQueue -a
  • exit

Privileged Mode (#)

  • configure terminal
  • show access-list
  • show access-lists
  • show ip route
  • show interfaces
  • show ip interface
  • show ip interfaces
  • show arp
  • show ip protocols
  • show rip
  • show running-config [interface <interface>]
  • packetQueue -a
  • ping <destination>
  • traceroute <destination>
  • nslookup <hostname>
  • http <url> [path]
  • wget <url> [path]
  • scan <ip-address-or-dns-name> <tcp|udp> <port>
  • ipconfig /renew
  • exit

Global Config Mode ((config)#)

  • ip route <destination-network> <subnet-mask> <next-hop>
  • password console <password>
  • enable secret <password>
  • no password console
  • no enable secret
  • interface <interface-name>
  • router rip
  • access-list <…>
  • no access-list <acl-id>
  • exit

Interface Config Mode ((config-if)#)

  • ip address <ip-address> <subnet-mask>
  • ip access-group <acl-id> [in|out]
  • no ip access-group <acl-id> [in|out]
  • exit

Router RIP Config Mode ((config-router)#)

  • version 2
  • network <network-address>
  • exit