Network Emulator

Test and Optimize Performance Before Launching

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Test Application Performance with High-Precision Emulation

Emulate real-world networks to benchmark, troubleshoot, and validate the performance of your most critical applications before and after deployment.

The Netropy Network Emulator is purpose-built to meet your organization’s needs. Companies can isolate, observe, test, and refine performance under varying conditions — including Wi-Fi, 5G, satellite, SD-WAN networks, and more. With precise WAN emulation tools, users can perform consistent, reproducible tests in a controlled lab environment.

Automate testing with a robust RESTful API to optimize performance at scale.

A Fast, Flexible Network Emulator for Any Scenario

Emulate up to 30 unique WAN links per port pair and measure the impact of network impairments in real time. Simulate bandwidth constraints, latency, jitter, and packet loss — all at speeds up to 100 Gbps.

Users can adjust parameters dynamically in real-time without restarting tests. The intuitive browser-based GUI enables seamless setup in minutes — even for beginners. No need for extensive training.

The Netropy Network Emulator supports today’s complex environments with precision. Configure your system for IoT devices, cross-platform applications, video, and more.

Purpose-Built for High-Performance Testing

Emulate real-world networks to benchmark, troubleshoot, and validate the performance of your most critical applications before and after deployment.

Automate testing with a robust RESTful API to optimize performance at scale.

Concurrent Testing: Multiple emulation engines enable simultaneous performance testing for complex scenarios.

Packet Filtering: Assign packets to specific links using IP address, VLAN, or other identifiers for precise testing.

Bandwidth Emulation: Simulate links from 100 bps to 100 Gbps, accommodating diverse network environments. Throttle bandwidth speeds to identify how much bandwidth an application needs, which can prevent over-purchasing.

Realistic Latency: Emulate delays up to 20 seconds in each direction, with jitter control in 0.01 ms increments, dropped packet simulation, and more.

Interface Flexibility: Supports copper and SFP ports, with dual-rate 1/10 Gbps SFP+ ports for seamless integration.

Packet Loss & Corruption: Test the impact of random, burst, or periodic packet loss and corruption on critical applications like video and VoIP.

Capture & Replay: Record real-world network delay and loss characteristics, then replay them for accurate performance analysis.

Background Utilization: Simulate congested networks without additional traffic generators or client machines.

Advanced Testing & Insights

Full-Day Analysis: Access and analyse up to 24 hours of throughput graphs and link statistics for in-depth insights.

Automated Testing: Streamline workflows with a comprehensive command-line interface (CLI) for automated performance testing.

Protocol Optimization: Test and adjust configurations (e.g., TCP/IP) to enhance network performance.

SLA Verification: Ensure application stability and responsiveness under challenging network conditions.

Root Cause Analysis: Differentiate between application and network-related performance issues for targeted solutions.

Specialized Use Cases

Pre-Deployment Testing: Assess application performance under real-world conditions before rollout.

Software QA: Test APIs and simulate degraded conditions during cloud migrations or system upgrades.

VoIP & Video: Ensure acceptable call and video quality by replicating latency, jitter, and packet loss.

IoT & Edge Networks: Verify performance of IoT devices and edge applications in constrained environments.

Unique Features

MPLS Identifier: Assign specific MPLS labels or ranges to target traffic for granular testing.

Frame Size Matching: Analyze traffic by specifying Ethernet frame sizes or ranges for deeper performance insights.

What does a network emulator do?

A network emulator replicates real-world network conditions (e.g., bandwidth limitations, latency, jitter, and packet loss) in a controlled lab environment. This allows organizations to test and evaluate how applications and devices perform under various network scenarios to ensure reliability and optimal user experience (before and after deployment).

What is the difference between a network simulator and a network emulator?

A network simulator models the behavior of a network by using mathematical formulas to predict performance. However, simulators don’t typically use actual hardware or real data traffic.

A network emulator uses real data packets and hardware to mimic the behavior of existing networks. This provides a more accurate and practical assessment of how applications will perform under specific network conditions.

What is the maximum aggregate throughput of Netropy’s Network Emulator?

The maximum aggregate throughput varies by model:

Netropy N61: Up to 2 Gbps.
Netropy N91: Up to 8 Gbps.
Netropy 10G1: Up to 20 Gbps.
Netropy 10G2: Up to 40 Gbps.
Netropy 10G4: Up to 80 Gbps.
Netropy 100G: Up to 150 Gbps.

What kind of networks can I emulate with Netropy?

Netropy can emulate a wide variety of networks, including:

Wi-Fi: To assess performance over wireless connections.
Satellite: To simulate high-latency, low-bandwidth conditions, including specific weather events.
SD-WAN: To test software-defined wide-area networks.
Ethernet and MPLS: To replicate traditional wired networks.
5G and 4G LTE: To test mobile applications.

What’s the difference between the hardware-based Netropy and its virtual/cloud counterparts (NetropyVE and NetropyCE)?

Netropy (Hardware-Based) provides dedicated hardware appliances for high-performance, precise network emulation. Hardware is ideal for on-premise testing environments.
NetropyVE (Virtual Edition) is a virtualized version of the hardware emulator that runs on standard servers or virtual machines. This offers flexibility for lab environments without the need for physical hardware.
NetropyCE (Cloud Edition) is designed for cloud-based testing, allowing users to emulate network conditions within cloud infrastructures. This facilitates the testing of cloud-native applications.

Each version caters to different testing needs and environments, providing scalable solutions for various deployment scenarios.