Software Alternatives, Accelerators & Startups

Mininet VS FlexSim

Compare Mininet VS FlexSim and see what are their differences

Mininet logo Mininet

Mininet is a robust and inexpensive Instant Virtual Network designed to function on standard PCs like Laptops and Desktops.

FlexSim logo FlexSim

Simulation software to model, simulate, predict, and visualize systems in manufacturing, material handling, healthcare, warehousing, mining, etc.
  • Mininet Landing page
    Landing page //
    2022-02-21
  • FlexSim Landing page
    Landing page //
    2023-09-15

Mininet features and specs

  • Ease of Use
    Mininet provides a simple and user-friendly interface, allowing users to easily create and manage network topologies without requiring extensive knowledge of network configurations.
  • Cost-Effective
    Since Mininet is an open-source software, it is available for free, making it a cost-effective solution for educational and experimental purposes in networking.
  • Rapid Prototyping
    Mininet enables the quick creation and deployment of network prototypes, which is ideal for testing new ideas and configurations without the need for physical hardware.
  • Scalability
    With the ability to emulate large networks on a single machine or scale out with multiple machines using virtualization, Mininet offers flexibility in terms of scalability.
  • Rich Ecosystem
    Mininet supports a wide range of networking protocols and integrates well with other networking tools, providing a comprehensive ecosystem for network research and development.

Possible disadvantages of Mininet

  • Performance Limitations
    Being an emulation tool, Mininet might not perfectly mimic the performance of a real network, particularly for highly demanding network applications.
  • Complexity in Large Scale
    Managing very large network topologies can become complex and cumbersome, requiring careful configuration and resource management.
  • Resource Intensive
    Running large or complex network simulations on Mininet can be resource-intensive, requiring substantial CPU and memory allocation, which can be limiting on less powerful machines.
  • Limited Real-World Testing
    While Mininet is excellent for prototyping and testing, it may not fully replicate the behavior of networks in real-world environments, potentially missing aspects related to physical hardware limitations.
  • Learning Curve
    Although Mininet is generally user-friendly, there is still a learning curve associated with effectively using the tool, especially for those unfamiliar with command-line interfaces and network configurations.

FlexSim features and specs

  • User-Friendly Interface
    FlexSim has an intuitive and easy-to-use interface that allows users to create simulations quickly without extensive training.
  • 3D Visualization
    It offers robust 3D visualization capabilities that can make simulations more insightful and easier to interpret.
  • Versatility
    FlexSim supports a wide range of industries, including manufacturing, healthcare, warehousing, and supply chain, making it a versatile tool.
  • Comprehensive Library
    The software comes with a comprehensive library of pre-built components that can be used to model different scenarios efficiently.
  • Integration Capabilities
    FlexSim can be integrated with other software systems, including ERP and MES, ensuring data consistency and enhancing functionality.
  • Strong Analytical Tools
    The software includes robust analytical tools that can help in optimizing processes and simulating complex scenarios.
  • Community and Support
    FlexSim offers a strong community and support network, including forums, tutorials, and customer support to help users troubleshoot and maximize the software's potential.

Possible disadvantages of FlexSim

  • Cost
    FlexSim can be relatively expensive compared to other simulation software, which may not be feasible for smaller organizations.
  • Learning Curve
    Despite its user-friendly interface, FlexSim can still have a steep learning curve for complete beginners who may require extensive training.
  • Performance with Large Models
    The software may show performance issues when dealing with very large or complex simulation models, requiring significant computing resources.
  • Limited Customization
    While it offers many pre-built components, the ability to fully customize these components can be limited compared to highly specialized simulation tools.
  • Dependency on Third-party Software
    Integration with other software can sometimes require additional configuration and expertise, which might be a hindrance for some users.
  • Updates and Maintenance
    Keeping the software updated and maintaining it can sometimes be troublesome, especially if you are reliant on legacy systems.

Mininet videos

Introduction to Mininet

More videos:

  • Review - Review mininet by jaring kambing gunung
  • Review - Samsung F300 Review Unboxing MiniNET.si

FlexSim videos

FlexSim 2020 Core Training: Day 1

More videos:

  • Review - FlexSim 2020 Core Training: Day 2
  • Tutorial - FlexSim HC 2020 Tutorial

Category Popularity

0-100% (relative to Mininet and FlexSim)
Simulation Software
45 45%
55% 55
Technical Computing
33 33%
67% 67
Tool
48 48%
52% 52
Numerical Computation
16 16%
84% 84

User comments

Share your experience with using Mininet and FlexSim. For example, how are they different and which one is better?
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Social recommendations and mentions

Based on our record, Mininet seems to be more popular. It has been mentiond 3 times since March 2021. We are tracking product recommendations and mentions on various public social media platforms and blogs. They can help you identify which product is more popular and what people think of it.

Mininet mentions (3)

  • How do I learn the basics and beyond of networking?
    You can learn routing even on a host in Linux with iptables as well as Linux network namespaces via mini net http://mininet.org/ etc. once you’re comfortable there you can start looking at docker networking and also frr as well as gns3 or eve-ng running virtualized routers. Source: about 2 years ago
  • Reverse Engineering a mysterious UDP stream in my hotel
    Or instead of using Docker, you can also get a Mininet VM, (optionally) install a desktop environment on it and create any manner of network configurations to tinker with, and use Wireshark to analyse traffic. Source: about 2 years ago
  • Cloudflare outage on June 21, 2022
    You can learn BGP with mininet: https://mininet.org/ You can simulate arbitrarily large networks and internetworks with this, provided you have the hardware to run a large enough number of virtual appliances, but they are pretty lightweight. - Source: Hacker News / almost 3 years ago

FlexSim mentions (0)

We have not tracked any mentions of FlexSim yet. Tracking of FlexSim recommendations started around Mar 2021.

What are some alternatives?

When comparing Mininet and FlexSim, you can also consider the following products

ns-3 - a discrete-event network simulator for internet systems

AnyLogic - AnyLogic has changed simulation modeling and expanded its application into complex business environments. The unmatched flexibility of multimethod modeling allows users to capture the complexity of virtually any system, at any level of detail.

Paessler Multi Server Simulator - Paessler Multi Server Simulator is inexpensive and robust software that helps you power massive-scale testing.

GNS3 - GNS3 is a graphical network simulator that allows simulation of complex networks.

NetSim - NetSim software was created to simulate various Cisco systems. Cisco software is known around the world as being one of the best network, routing and switch systems for businesses and private use. Read more about NetSim.

Cloonix - Cloonix is an open-source virtual network creation framework based on KVM licensed under the AGPLv3 license.