Huawei, a leading global information and communications technology (ICT) solutions provider, has launched a free graphical enterprise network simulation platform (eNSP) for ICT practitioners.

The platform simulates real network devices, such as routers and switches, to help users familiarize themselves with Huawei's datacom products, as well as understand the operations and configurations of Huawei's routers, switches, and master fault locating methods.

The platform also helps users possess and improve upon their ability to plan, construct, operate, and maintain ICT networks for enterprises and thus help enterprises build better networks with enhanced efficiency.

In recent years, the ability to simulate real network devices without actually using these devices has become a more common requirement of ICT practitioners. Many simulation platforms available from ICT vendors are fraught with problems, including low-fidelity simulation, delayed system upgrade, and complicated software operation. These issues have turned many ICT practitioners away from learning about routers, switches and other products because the poor user experience cannot provide the necessary true-to-deployment simulations.

To provide ICT practitioners with a user-friendly experience, Huawei developed its datacom device simulator that delivers high-fidelity simulation - the Huawei eNSP. This platform runs Huawei's Versatile Routing Platform (VRP) system and is able to simulate deployments before real devices are deployed in a network to simulate tests on the compatibility and configurations of the devices. This helps practitioners facilitate pre-deployment planning and testing on high-quality ICT networks for enterprises.

Huawei eNSP supports interconnection to real devices and can realize real-time packet capture analysis, enabling users to fully understand the principles of networking protocols and explore network technologies within the safe boundaries of a simulator. Furthermore, the eNSP tool allows ICT practitioners to practice the skills needed to pass Huawei certifications across many domains by simulating tests for Huawei Certified Datacom Associate (HCDA), Huawei Certified Datacom Professional (HCDP)-Enterprise, and Huawei Certified Internetwork Expert (HCIE)-Enterprise.

Huawei’s free eNSP provides an opportunity for the public to experience the benefits of Huawei's equipment, whether they are a student wanting to pass a Huawei certification, a professor giving lectures on network technologies, or a technical engineer operating datacom products or maintaining live networks.