CORE (Common Open Research Emulator) is a network emulation platform for building and running realistic virtual networks. It can host an emulated network on a single computer or distribute it across multiple machines.
The software provides a graphical interface for drawing network topologies using lightweight virtual nodes. Python modules and a gRPC API are available for scripting, automation and integration with other tools. Emulated networks can also be connected to physical networks and external systems.
CORE is useful for network research, protocol development, education, cybersecurity exercises and testing complex network configurations.
This is free and open source software.
Key Features
- Graphical editor for creating and configuring network topologies.
- Runs network emulations on one or multiple physical machines.
- Uses lightweight virtual nodes to reduce resource requirements.
- Connects emulated networks to live physical networks.
- Python modules for scripting network scenarios and experiments.
- gRPC API for controlling sessions and integrating external applications.
- Distributed emulation for running larger network topologies.
- Support for wireless network emulation through EMANE.
- Mobility models for simulating moving wireless nodes.
- Configurable services that can run automatically on emulated nodes.
Website: github.com/coreemu/core
Support:
Developer: CORE developers
License: BSD 2-Clause “Simplified” License
CORE is written in Python. Learn Python with our recommended free books and free tutorials.
Related Software
| Network Simulators | |
|---|---|
| GNS3 | Emulate, configure, test, and troubleshoot virtual and real networks |
| Kathará | Lightweight network emulation system based on Docker containers |
| Dynamips | Emulate Cisco routers |
| ns-3 | Discrete-event network simulator |
| Cooja | Network simulator written in Java |
Read our verdict in the software roundup.
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