Systems and methods for providing a simulation environment having a simulation user interface

A simulation system for controlling a simulation regarding an operation of a Fieldbus system comprising at least one Fieldbus Interface Module (FIM) communicatively coupled to a plurality of field devices, comprising:

• at least one computing device configured for initiating a current simulation of at least a portion of said operation of said at least one FIM, for obtaining intermediate simulation information indicating a progress of said current simulation, for communicating at least a portion of said intermediate simulation information to at least one user of said simulation system, and for displaying at least one visual element for controlling said progress of said current simulation to said at least one user, wherein during a duration of said current simulation said Fieldbus system is exclusive of any real devices;
• wherein said current simulation comprises a plurality of sequential steps involving said FIM, and said progress defining which steps of said plurality of sequential steps have been performed, are being performed, and are to be performed,
• wherein said current simulation is executed using at least one Link Active Schedule which defines a plurality of simulated functional block execution processes for said current simulation in terms of time and order of performance.