Simulation of Real Network with the help of User Mode Linux or Virtual Machines/Switch

I am a beginner in User Mode Linux Area, and recently started working on it, by reading material available in Internet e.g; http://user-mode-linux.sourceforge.net/source.html.

My Objective :

Currently I am performing some tests, On which I am using direct hardwares : e.g; APs[Access Points]- Configured with different types of NAT [ Full Cone, Port Restricted,Symmetric etc] and Desktop's

Rather using such all hardwares Computers ,Desktops etc, I think I may use something like User Mode Linux which all together light-weight Linux's Virtual Instances, On that I can simulate my task e.g; Virtual Switch, Virtual light-wei开发者_StackOverflow社区ght Instances

I tried a lot by using several Virtual Machines (VMWare) on same machine to Simulate different networks , and networks supposed to be connected Virtual Switch (didn'y find any).

All together -

[1]. Is there any one who has such past experience , Where you have simulated real network with the help of either Virtual Machines(UML or Virtual Box or VMWARE) and Virtual Switch (I don't know any).

[2]. If yes, Is it require too much effort ? means do you feel configurations are not much complex ?

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There is such a product.

It is called GNS3 VirtualBox Edition: http://forum.gns3.net/topic3262.html

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I've used vde to simulate a network in the past. It's great and lets you setup things like virtual switches (http://wiki.virtualsquare.org/wiki/index.php/VDE). What I simulated were 5 virtual machines (using qemu) connceted to a virtual switch (using vde).

I'm not sure what the state of affairs is with virtualization products, but somethign like VMWare might also allow you to create a virtual network but I doubt it would be as flexible as VDE.

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User Mode Linux is like very old, I would suggest using VDE as suggest by sashang, but simulating networks can he helpful.... However it's purely simulation, real devices in the real world can behave differently and vice verse....

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There are a number of open-source network simulators, which help automate the process of creating virtual machines and connecting them together, that you might find useful. I created a list of these tools, along with some tutorials, and posted it at: http://www.brianlinkletter.com/open-source-network-simulators.