Utilizing the EVE-NG software for network simulation in a research or academic field is an exciting but challenging process. This requires a vast amount of knowledge in EVE-NG. Below is the complete functioning approach that we give you when implementing this network emulation software:

Step 1: Set Up EVE-NG

• Installation: On a physical server or a virtual machine, EVE-NG can be installed. There are two editions that are accessible such as the Professional Edition that costs for extra properties and the Community Edition which is free of cost. From the EVE-NG website, download the suggested edition and adhere to the guidelines cautiously for perfect installation.
• Accessing EVE-NG: After the installation process, EVE-NG can be accessed using a remote desktop protocol for GUI access regarding the EVE-NG client or by its web interface with the help of a browser.

Step 2: Upload Images

• Obtaining Images: Particularly for the network devices that you intend to simulate like JunOS, Juniper and Cisco IOS, you must get the software images. To employ these images, remember that you should have a legitimate claim.
• Uploading Images to EVE-NG: To the EVE-NG environment, upload the acquired images. This typically includes utilizing the web interface or CLI to configure them for usage and sending the image files to the EVE-NG server.

Step 3: Create a New Lab

• Initiating a New Lab: Develop a novel lab by mentioning a name and an explanation that is optional in the EVE-NG web interface.
• Adding Nodes: By choosing from the list of accessible device images that you have uploaded, enter network devices (nodes) to your lab. Before including it to the lab, you can configure the features of every node like the number of interfaces.

Step 4: Connect the Nodes

• Drawing Connections: By drawing connections among their interfaces, link the nodes. Developing network partitions and interconnecting various devices are involved in the EVE-NG that is used for difficult topologies.
• Network Configuration: For your simulation, configure the network setups for every node when necessary. Establishing routing protocols, other network configurations and IP addresses are included here. This is available over the EVE-NG interface and done inside the device’s CLI commonly.

Step 5: Start and Access Nodes

• Starting Nodes: In your lab, begin the nodes. You can use its console straight from the EVE-NG web interface after starting a node.
• Configuration and Testing: To configure the devices as per your lab situation, employ the console access. Simulating traffic, implementing network protocols and validating connections to experiment the network configuration.

Step 6: Save and Manage the Lab

• Saving the Work: Whenever you do alterations, save your lab configurations often. By permitting you to come back to your work afterwards, EVE-NG enables you to stop and start although recalling configurations.
• Lab Management: Arranging your labs into folders, replicating labs for various situations and transferring labs for distributing or backup are involved in the management process. By using the EVE-NG interface you can handle the labs.

Step 7: Simulation and Analysis

• Network Simulation: To troubleshoot problems, rehearsal configurations, get ready for certification exams and simulate practical networking situations, employ the setting.
• Analysis Tools: For deep network analysis and tracking, EVE-NG assists the collaboration of external tools and packet analyzers like Wireshark.

Step 8: Clean Up

• Shutting Down Labs: To clear materials on the EVE-NG server, shut down your lab meetings appropriately, if you are completed.
• Lab Deletion: You can delete a lab to keep storage space on the EVE-NG server, when it is not anymore required.

How simulation can be used for network analysis?

       Generally, simulation is the process of implementing models to evaluate the activity of a system in terms of network longevity, energy-consumption, latency, throughput and others by performing experiments on a computer. This can be used for various purposes in different tasks. We provide a summary on how it can be utilized throughout several areas for network analysis:

1. Performance Evaluation

From minor local area networks (LANs) to huge international networks like the internet, simulation tools can design networks with differing measures. Simulations serve in observing major strength metrics like jitter, packet loss, latency and throughput by simulating other dynamic components, node mobility in wireless networks and traffic flows. For enhanced efficiency, it allows the optimization of network configurations and the detection of blockages.

2. Protocol and Algorithm Testing

Simulations offer a controlled and protected platform for complete validation in a live platform before deploying a novel protocol or method like protection and congestion control for routing. By supporting to adjust the pattern of protocol and assure its performance and trustworthiness, simulations can expose in what way a novel protocol operates on various network criteria and load situations.

3. Network Design and Planning

By permitting the research of various network tool options, configurations and topologies, simulation serves in the model section of network structure projects. For instance, specifically for extreme coverage and signal quality, simulations can assist to examine the optimal position of access points in wireless networks. To align with particular needs and restrictions, this scheduling strength supports in developing powerful network models.

4. Security Analysis

Design several safety threats like malware spread, Man-in-the-Middle and DDoS, and experiment the efficiency of safety protocols and solutions with the assistance of network simulations. For attack identification, avoidance and reaction without revealing actual networks to danger, it is essential to interpret possible susceptibilities and construct plans.

5. Disaster Recovery and Fault Tolerance

The creation of disaster recovery strategies and the analysis of network flexibility can be permitted by the simulations. For confirming consistent network accessibility and data reliability, simulations support in checking the efficiency of failover, termination and backup mechanisms by designing natural calamities and network breakdowns like node or link failures.

6. Capacity Planning

For confirming that networks can measure efficiently to reflect on upcoming requests, network simulations support in ability scheduling by simulating traffic evolution beyond duration. To adapt raised load, evaluating the requirement for structural alterations, hardware updates and extra bandwidth can be involved.

7. Cost-Benefit Analysis

To organize cost-effective observations of network deployments and updates, utilize simulation frameworks. Decision-makers can create notified investment options through contrasting the costs that are related with various network technologies and patterns against anticipated efficiency enhancements and operational advantages.

Tools for Network Simulation and Analysis

       There are various software environments and tools accessible and each of them has its own collection of assisted situations, abilities and properties especially for network simulation. OMNeT++, NS2/NS3 (Network Simulator), Mininet, Packet Tracer and GNS3 are considered as the famous tools. For simulating network criteria and unique protocols, these tools provide modules and libraries and also help different kinds of networks like mobile, wired and wireless networks.