An Experimental Study: Using a Simulator Tool for Modelling Campus Based Wireless Local Area Network

A network whose interconnections between nodes are implemented without using wires is referred to as wireless network and is usually related to a telecommunication network. As related to wired local area network, wireless channels are error-prone. Performance study and optimization of Wireless Local Area Network (WLAN) becomes more essential as its gaining popularity. For performance modelling and evaluation of wireless networks, computer simulation has become one of most widespread tools. While numerous network simulators exist for building a variety of network models, selecting a good network simulator tool is vital in modelling and performance study of wireless networks. Optimized Network Engineering Tools (OPNET) Modeller available to academic institutions at no cost is becoming one of the most widespread network simulators. In this study, the authors used OPNET Modeller 14.5 simulator tool to develop and validate a model for campus based WLAN. The results are expected to display that OPNET Modeller offers credible simulation outcomes close to a genuine system. The effect of network parameters such as the processing time on the performance metrics such as delay and throughput of the various scenarios in the entire network was investigated. The analysis of the results from the simulations carried out can assist the management of computer centre that manages the network in identifying the bottleneck node on the network and for future network capacity building. However, this wireless network involves too many numbers of users which OPNET is not capable to simulate; the authors limited the network to only users in the computer building.