Introduction

Overview
Welcome to Modeler!

This tutorial teaches you the basics of using Modeler.

If you are new to Modeler, this short introduction will
help get you started.

If you are performing this tutorial for the first time, read
the following pages for important information about
using this tutorial and Modeler.

1
About the Models
This tutorial was written based on the initial software
and model libraries released with Modeler 12.0.A. If
using a different release, you might get different results
or be unable to complete some lessons.

To complete the tutorials, you must install the Modeler

standard models, which include the required tutorial
models. These models are installed when you install
the Standard Model Library.

Modeler standard models cover common protocols

and vendor devices. The standard models are in the
subdirectories under the release directory (<release>):

<release>\models\std\<protocol_name>

<release> describes the directory that contains the

current Modeler software.

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You can find your <release> by performing the
following steps:

1 Select Help > About This Application in the

main menu.

2 In the About Modeler dialog box, click on the

Environment tab, and then expand the System
Information section.

3 Under System Information, find the

release directory.

For example, the <release> for a default installation of

this release of Modeler on Windows is
C:\Program Files\<install_dir>\<release>

The tutorials use the Windows convention of the

backslash character (\) as the separator in directory
pathnames. If you are using Solaris or Linux, replace
the backslash with a forward slash (/).

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Opening Tutorial Files
Several tutorials will direct you to open model files and
save them with a unique prefix, such as your initials
(<your_initials>). This way, several users can create
and complete their own working copy of the same
tutorial.

When you perform a tutorial, you are asked to open

special tutorial model files. These model files are
required to complete the tutorial; they are located in
the <release>\models\std\tutorial_req directory or
its subdirectories.

When asked to open model files that are NOT prefixed

with your initials, make sure you navigate to the
tutorial_req directory.

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Navigating to the tutorial_req Directory

When you save a new model file, or use the

Save As… command to save an existing model file
with your initials, remember to navigate to the working
directory (normally <home>\op_models) to save your
files.

5
About the Lessons
In this tutorial, you learn how to use the interface and
some basic modeling theory. You will also learn how to
use the Modeler features to build and analyze network
models.

Each lesson presents a modeling problem for you to

solve by building a network, node, or process model,
gathering statistical information about the network,
and analyzing those results.
Network, Node, and Process Models

node model

network
model

process model

Each lesson helps you become familiar with Modeler

and demonstrates the range of problems Modeler can
solve.

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We suggest that you perform the lessons and topics in
sequence.

Most lessons have Key Concept paragraphs, like this

one, that contain new information about Modeler or
describe important aspects of modeling theory.

Position this tutorial window next to Modeler on your

screen so that you can view both windows at the same
time.

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About Modeler
Before you start, you should understand the Modeler
workflow, the workspace, and the editors. Become
familiar with these essential features, and then begin
the tutorial lessons.

The workflow for Modeler (that is,

Create Network Models
the steps you use to build a
network model and run
simulations) centers around the Choose Statistics
Project Editor.

Run Simulations
In this editor, you can create a
network model, choose statistics
to collect from each network View and Analyze Results
object or from the whole network,
execute a simulation, and view
results.

Your first look at Modeler in Lesson 1 shows you how

to use the Project Editor to build a small internetwork.
You can also use advanced editors for specialized
needs.

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For the nuts-and-bolts aspects of modeling, such as
programming the underlying process of a particular
network object or defining a new packet format, you
will need to use additional editors. Each editor is
described in detail on the following pages.

The Project Editor

The Project Editor is the main staging area for creating
a network simulation. From this editor, you can build a
network model using models from the standard library,
choose statistics about the network, run a simulation,
and view the results.

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A Network Model in the Project Editor

You can also create node and process models, build

packet formats, and create filters and parameters,
using specialized editors that you can access from the
Project Editor.

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The Node Editor
The Node Editor lets you define the behavior of each
network object. Behavior is defined using different
modules, each of which models some internal aspect
of node behavior such as data creation, data storage,
etc. Modules are connected through packet streams
or statistic wires. A network object is typically made
up of multiple modules that define its behavior.
Node Model

modules

packet streams

statistic wire

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The Process Model Editor
The Process Editor lets you create process models,
which control the underlying functionality of the node
models created in the Node Editor. Process models
are represented by finite state machines (FSMs), and
are created with icons that represent states and lines
that represent transitions between states. Operations
performed in each state or for a transition are
described in embedded C or C++ code blocks.
Process Model

States

Transitions

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The Link Model Editor
The Link Model Editor lets you create new types of link
objects. Each new type of link can have different
attribute interfaces and representation. Comments and
keywords can also be specified for easy recognition.
Link Model Editor

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The Path Editor
Use the Path Editor to create new path objects that
define a traffic route. Any protocol model that uses
logical connections or virtual circuits (MPLS, ATM,
Frame Relay, etc.) can use paths to route traffic.
Path Editor

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The Demand Editor
The Demand Editor lets you define demand models;
each demand object’s underlying model determines its
attribute interfaces, presentation, and behavior.

You create or modify the demand model specifications

in the Demand Editor dialog box.
Demand Editor

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The Probe Editor
The Probe Editor lets you specify the statistics to be
collected during simulation. While you can do this in
the Project Editor, you can also set additional
characteristics of each probe with the Probe Editor.
There are several different types of statistics that can
be collected using different probes, including global
statistics, link statistics, node statistics, attribute
statistics, and several types of animation statistics.
Probe Editor Dialog Box with Node Statistic Probes

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The Simulation Sequence Editor
Although you can run simulations from within the
Project Editor, you might want to specify additional
simulation constraints in the Simulation Sequence
Editor. Simulation sequences are represented by
simulation icons, which contain a set of attributes
that control the simulation’s run-time characteristics.
Simulation Sequence Editor

The Antenna Pattern Editor (with Wireless

Functionality)
In Modeler/Wireless, the Antenna Pattern Editor lets
you model the direction-dependent gain properties of
antennas. Modeler can use these gain patterns to
determine gain values, given knowledge of the relative
positions of nodes.

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Antenna Pattern Editor

The Filter Editor

Although Modeler comes with built-in data filters, the
Filter Editor enables you to create additional filters.
You can build new filter models by combining existing
models with each other.

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Filter Editor with Filter Icon and Attributes Dialog Box

The ICI Editor

The ICI (Interface Control Information) Editor lets you
define the internal structure of ICIs. ICIs are used to
formalize interrupt-based interprocess communication.

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Internal Formats of an ICI in the ICI Editor

The Modulation Curve Editor (with Wireless

Functionality)
In Modeler/Wireless, the Modulation Curve Editor lets
you create modulation functions to characterize the
vulnerability of an information coding and modulation
scheme to noise. These modulation functions plot the
bit error rate (BER) of an information signal as a
function of the effective signal-to-noise ratio (Eb/No).

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A Modulation Curve

The Packet Format Editor

The Packet Format Editor lets you define the internal
structure of a packet as a set of fields. A packet format
contains one or more fields, represented in the editor
as colored rectangular boxes. The size of the box is
proportional to the number of bits specified as the
field’s size.
Packet Format Editor
packet fields

field name field size

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The PDF Editor
The PDF (Probability Density Function) Editor lets you
describe the spread of probability over a range of
possible outcomes. A PDF can model the likelihoods
associated with packet interarrival times, or it can
model the probability of transmission errors.
A PDF Modeling Interarrival Times

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The Project Editor Window
There are several areas in the Project Editor window
that are important for building and executing a model.
These are shown on the following pages.

When you open an existing project, your screen should

look similar to the following figure:
Project Editor Window

Menu Bar

Tool Bar

Workspace

Message Area Message Buffer

Icon

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The Menu Bar
The menu bar is at the top of the editor window. It
organizes all the non-context-sensitive editor
operations into a set of topical menus.

The exact set of menus and menu operations available

change according to the product modules that are
enabled.
Context-sensitive editor operations are available by
right-clicking on an object or on the background of the
workspace.

Tool Buttons
Several of the more commonly used menu bar
selections can be activated through buttons in the
toolbar. The following figure shows tool buttons that
can appear in the Project Editor. You will use many of
these tool buttons in the tutorial. (Note: Depending on
your specific product and modules, you might not see
all of the buttons shown here.) When you hover the
cursor over a button, a tooltip appears to identify the
button.
Tool Buttons in the Project Editor

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The Workspace
The central, scrollable region of the editor window is
the workspace. This is where the network model
appears; you can select and drag network objects in
the workspace, and choose context-sensitive menu
operations by right-clicking on the background.

The Message Area

The message area is located at the bottom of the
editor window. It provides information about the status
of the tool.
Message Area

You can click on the icon next to the message

area to open the message buffer window.

The message buffer window shows a list of messages

that have appeared in the message area. You can
open the message buffer window if part of the
message line is truncated in the message area or if
you think a later message has replaced an important
alert or notification.

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Tooltips
If you rest your cursor over a tool button or a network
object in the workspace, a help balloon appears. The
tooltip describes one of the following:
• the action that occurs if the button is pressed
• information about the network object
Tooltip

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Documentation
Occasionally, you might have questions about certain
aspects of the tutorial, the tool, or the models. You can
refer to these sources:
• Built-in documentation is available throughout
the tool. For example, you can get model
descriptions, attribute definitions, and statistic
descriptions by selecting an item and clicking on
the Details button. Some dialog boxes also have
Help buttons that bring up additional descriptive
information.
• Product Documentation. Select Help >
Product Documentation.
• FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions). Point your
browser to www.opnet.com/support.
You need your user name and password to
access the Web FAQ. OPNET Technical Support
normally sends your user name and password by
email after you register your OPNET software for
purchase or evaluation.
• Recent updates to the tutorial lessons and
models can be downloaded from the Website:
www.opnet.com/support.

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 • Model User Guides provide the latest
information on the protocol models and how to
use them. In the Project Editor window, choose
Protocols > <protocol name> >
Model User Guide.

Now you are ready to begin the tutorial. Return to the

main tutorial menu and choose Small Internetworks
from the list of available lessons.

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