NeST (Network Stack Tester) is an open-source Python package that simplifies the process of performing networking experiments by using Linux network namespaces. It provides easy-to-use APIs to build a virtual network topology, set up routing, run different types of traffic, capture packets, and collect and visualize statistics in different data/graphical formats. NeST provides a cost-effective, reproducible, and scalable alternative to physical testbeds to perform network experiments. NeST can be used for multiple purposes:

• Teaching networking courses with hands-on exercises
• Evaluating the performance of existing network protocols
• Validating the working of new network protocols, and
• Carrying out in-depth studies in the area of congestion control algorithms, queue disciplines, dynamic routing protocols, MPLS technology, and others.

This talk will cover the following topics:

• Overview of Linux Network Namespaces and NeST
• The architecture of NeST
• Modules in NeST and their functionalities
• Demo: run a simple NeST program
• Where is NeST currently used?

https://gitlab.com/nitk-nest/nest