TEACHING LINK-STATE ROUTING PROTOCOLS BY MEANS OF THE OMNET plus plus SIMULATION TOOL

Networking technologies are often difficult to understand due to the high number of concepts involved. In this paper, we show how the simulation tools help students to acquire the learning related to networking. In particular, we focus on how the OMNET++ simulation tool eases the learning of link state routing protocols. By means of guided tasks supported by this tool, students are able (i) to analyze the message exchanges, (ii) to observe the construction of the connectivity graphs in every node and (iii) to understand how the routes are defined. This paper describes the task that we have designed for this goal. The task is divided into simple exercises supported by this simulation tool. The exercises are followed by questions which intend to make student focus on basic concepts related to link state routing. The activities are designed in such a way that it can be easily integrated in distance education frameworks. In addition to the networking learning, network simulators constitute an extended engineering tool in the industrial domain so students are provided of useful knowledge for their future careers.