User manual
1 Boson NetSim User Manual
Boson NetSim Overview
The Boson NetSim® Network Simulator®, which includes the Boson Router Simulator®, is unique
compared to all others on the market because of the functionality it supports and its features. NetSim
utilizes Boson’s proprietary Network Simulator, Router Simulator®, and EROUTER® software
technologies, along with the Boson Virtual Packet Technology® engine, to create individual packets.
These packets are routed and switched through the simulated network, allowing NetSim to build an
appropriate virtual routing table and simulate true networking. Other simulation products on the market do
not support this level of functionality.
NetSim is a Windows®-based product that simulates a wide variety of Cisco® routers, including the 2500
series, 2600 series, 2800 series, and 3600 series routers, as well as the Cisco Catalyst 1900 series, 2900
series, and 3500 series switches. NetSim supports multiple routing protocols, including RIP, IGRP, EIGRP,
BGP, and OSPF. It supports different LAN/WAN protocols, including PPP/CHAP, ISDN, and Frame
Relay. The labs in NetSim require only the devices and functionality included with NetSim—they do not
require access to any external router or switch hardware. NetSim supports many, but not all, of the IOS
commands available on a physical router or switch. All the commands referenced in the available labs are
supported by NetSim.
Achieving Cisco CCENT, CCNA®, or CCNP® certication is the goal of many people who use this
product. The Boson NetSim covers not only the new SWITCH (642-813), TSHOOT (642-832), and
ROUTE (642-902) certications but also the ICND1 (640-822), ICND2 (640-816), and CCNA (640-802)
certications, among others. The included labs guide you through the conguration of routers, switches,
and workstations in a variety of scenarios. Installed labs are made available (unlocked) depending on the
activation key used to activate the product. All labs are downloaded and kept up to date after installation
regardless of the activation key used.
Activation keys unlock labs and increase the number of available commands. Beginning with the Demo
version of NetSim 8, the command set is limited to those necessary to perform the steps in the lab. For
example, if you start your studies with a CCENT activation key, you will have the command set and labs
available that are necessary to study for that exam. When you are ready to study for either the CCNA or
CCNP exam, you will need to purchase a new activation key, deactivate NetSim, and then reactivate with
the new CCNA or CCNP activation key; then, more labs and a larger command set become available.
The labs available in the Sequential lab pack when a CCENT activation key has been used to activate
NetSim 8 are shown below. A CCENT activation key also unlocks a selection of labs from the Stand-Alone
and Scenario lab packs. A small lock icon is displayed next to unavailable labs. Higher-level activation
keys allow you to work through all labs unlocked by lower level activation keys. All labs are unlocked
when a CCNP-level activation key is used.