DOCKEMU -- A Network Emulation Tool

Dockemu is developed because of the need for a well designed tool for emulating networks. The tool utilizes technologies that are tailored to a current researcher's needs, delivering a robust and dynamic framework. In the past, most emulation tools have tried to provide solutions without taking into consideration that the installation and configuration of the software can be very time consuming, not to mention, the complexity of setting up and running an actual experiment can become also a very complex task. Our approach provides the researcher the flexibility to rapidly create networks (wired or wireless), up to date operating systems and a user friendly method of installation and configuration, that translates into a streamlined workflow for the emulation of experiments. Also, the development of applications or prototypes can be made directly into a real world OS. This saves time, because the prototypes will only be developed once (not for a simulator first and then for a final OS) but the results will also be more accurate. Dockemu utilizes virtualization with Linux Containers through Docker and Linux Bridging along with NS-3 for the emulation of layers 1 and 2 of the OSI model.