Simulation or test system, and associated method

A simulation method for a network architecture of real computers and physical switches connected in a real network, according to a network topology, the method comprising:

• simulating at least part of the computers in a simulation unit connected to the real network and comprising models;
• communicating, with each real computer and simulation model on the real network through a corresponding physical switch to which the respective one of the computer and simulation model is directly connected according to the network topology;
• routing messages over virtual links in the real network via communication ports in each physical switch;
• sending out a copy of each message received, from a real computer or simulation model that is directly connected to the physical switch according to the network topology, on a communication port of each physical switch via a surveillance port in each corresponding switch,
• acquiring, by the simulation unit, a message sent out by a real computer or a simulation model on the real network, from one of the surveillance ports of the corresponding switch to which the computer or simulation model that sent the message is directly connected;
• and
• transmitting the acquired message to one or more simulation models that are recipients of the message.

A simulation system for a network architecture of real computers and physical switches connected in a real network according to a network topology, the system comprising:

• a real network;
• the computers and the physical switches connected in the real network;
• a simulation unit connected to the real network and comprising simulation models simulating at least part of the computers,
• wherein each real computer and simulation model is configured to communicate on the real network through a corresponding physical switch to which the respective one of the computer and simulation model is directly connected according to the network topology;
• each physical switch includes communication ports to route messages over virtual links in the real network and includes one or more additional surveillance ports configured to send out a copy of each message received by the physical switch on one of its communication ports from a real computer or simulation model that is directly connected to the switch according to the network topology;
• and
• the simulation unit is configured to acquire a message sent out by a simulation model on the real network, from one of the surveillance ports of the corresponding switch to which the computer or simulation model that sent the message is directly connected, and to transmit the message so acquired to one or more simulation models that are recipients of the message.