WiFiViz

WiFiViz is a visualization and analysis module for ns-3 Wi-Fi simulations. It provides an interactive web-based dashboard that helps users explore simulation results, inspect protocol behavior, and analyze network performance through intuitive graphical visualizations.

Project Repository: WiFiViz

WiFiViz bridges the gap between raw simulation traces and human-readable insights. Instead of manually inspecting log files or processing large trace datasets, users can interactively navigate simulation events, correlate protocol activities across different layers, and observe network behavior through synchronized visual representations.

The module transforms ns-3 trace data into coordinated views of network topology, packet transmissions, protocol events, queue dynamics, and performance metrics, making complex simulation scenarios easier to understand, validate, and debug.

Key Features

Interactive Topology Visualization

• Visualize node placement, mobility, wireless links, and network structure.
• Observe changes in network connectivity and node movement during simulation execution.
• Explore simulation scenarios through an intuitive graphical representation of the network.

PHY and MAC Layer Analysis

• Inspect PPDU transmissions and receptions across devices.
• Analyze PHY state transitions and channel occupancy.
• Examine frame exchanges, retransmissions, acknowledgements, and medium-access behavior.
• Understand protocol interactions through detailed event timelines.

Timeline-Based Exploration

• Correlate events across multiple nodes and protocol layers using synchronized timelines.
• Track packet lifecycles from transmission to acknowledgement.
• Investigate protocol behavior at specific simulation times with fine-grained event inspection.

Performance Monitoring

• Analyze throughput, packet delivery ratio, latency, queueing delay, and MAC service delay.
• Compare network performance under different traffic loads and simulation configurations.
• Monitor key performance indicators through continuously updated visual dashboards.

Statistical Dashboards

• View distributions, cumulative distribution functions (CDFs), histograms, and time-series charts.
• Explore trends and variability in simulation metrics.
• Support performance evaluation and experimental analysis through graphical summaries.

Simulation Configuration Interface

• Configure common network, mobility, and traffic parameters through a graphical interface.
• Reduce the need for repetitive source-code modifications when exploring different simulation scenarios.
• Improve usability for teaching, experimentation, and rapid prototyping.

Research and Educational Support

• Facilitate debugging and validation of Wi-Fi simulation models.
• Provide visual demonstrations of wireless networking concepts for educational use.
• Assist researchers in understanding protocol behavior and interpreting experimental results.

Typical Use Cases

WiFiViz can be used for:

• Investigating Wi-Fi protocol behavior and frame exchanges.
• Debugging simulation scenarios and identifying unexpected network behavior.
• Evaluating wireless network performance under varying traffic and mobility conditions.
• Demonstrating networking concepts in classrooms and laboratory environments.
• Supporting academic research involving IEEE 802.11 and wireless communication systems.
• Rapidly exploring simulation outputs without manually processing trace files.

Intended Users

WiFiViz is designed for researchers, students, educators, and developers who want to better understand, analyze, validate, and debug ns-3 Wi-Fi simulations through interactive visual exploration. It is particularly useful for users working with complex wireless scenarios where traditional log-based analysis becomes difficult or time-consuming.

Compatibility

WiFiViz is distributed as an ns-3 contrib module and is currently compatible with ns-3.46 and newer releases.