Simulation of Traffic Parameter Impacts on the Performance of Local Computer Networks

Završnim radom objašnjene su karakteristike računalnih mreža, primarno lokalne računalne mreže, parametri koji utječu na performanse računalnih mreža te karakteristike odabranih mrežnih simulatora i emulatora. Mrežni simulatori i emulatori služe za simulacijsko modeliranje i analizu računalnih mreža koje se sastoje od različitih mrežnih uređaja te mogu biti izvedene u različitim topologijama. Praktični dio ovog rada oslanja se na korištenje Graphical Network Simulator 3 i Cisco Packet Tracer mrežnih programa za izvođenje simulacije lokalne računalne mreže na kojoj se analiziraju prometni parametri round trip time i gubitak paketa. Prilikom testiranja odabranih prometnih parametara, slanjem paketa između odabranih parova računala, pokazalo se da povećanje veličine paketa rezultira povećanjem srednje vrijednosti round trip time. Povećanje veličine paketa nije imalo direktan utjecaj na učestalost gubitka paketa. Na pojavu izgubljenog paketa utjecala bi degradacija prilikom transmisije.This final paper explains characteristics of computer networks, mainly local area networks. Paper also explains characteristics of network simulators and emulators as well as characteristics of traffic parameters and their impact on the performance of computer networks. Network simulators and emulators are used for development and analysis of computer networks which use different network devices and topologies in many variations. Practical part of this paper describes the procedure of using Graphical Network Simulator 3 and Cisco Packet Tracer simulators to develop virtual local area network and to analyse traffic parameters – round trip time and packet loss. Analysis of the selected parameters was performed by sending packets between selected pairs of network devices. The results of the analysis showed that the average value of round trip time is increased if the size of packets is increased while packet loss was unaffected. The occurence of packet loss was the result of degradation during transmission