Patent ID: 8072992
Filing Date: 2011-12-06
Classification: H04L

Abstract:
1. A method of interfacing real and virtual networks in hardware-in-the-loop (HITL) simulations, comprising: modeling a first simulated network at a first workstation by running a network simulation program on one or more processors of the workstation; providing a first network adapter on the workstation: defining a first virtual gateway node in the simulated network for interfacing an external first real network with other nodes of the simulated network; linking the virtual gateway node with the first network adapter on the workstation; linking the first real network with the first network adapter; and configuring the first network adapter and the first virtual gateway node for; (i) first translating simulated data packets sent from nodes of the simulated network and designated for the real network, into Internet protocol (IP) data packets for routing or processing by the real network; and (ii) second translating IP data packets sent from nodes of the real network and designated for the simulated network, into simulated data packets for routing or processing by the simulated network.