Multi-Generator (MGEN)
The Multi-Generator (MGEN) is open source software developed by the Naval Research Laboratory (NRL) PROTocol Engineering Advanced Networking (PROTEAN) Research Group. MGEN provides the ability to perform IP network performance tests and measurements using UDP/IP traffic (TCP is currently being developed).
The toolset generates real-time traffic patterns so that the network can be loaded in a variety of ways. The generated traffic can also be received and logged for analysis. Script files are used to drive the generated loading patterns over the course of time. These script files can be used to emulate the traffic patterns of unicast and/or multicast UDP/IP applications. The receive portion of this tool set can be scripted to dynamically join and leave IP multicast groups. MGEN log data can be used to calculate performance statistics on throughput, packet loss rates, communication delay, and more. MGEN currently runs on various Unix-based (including MacOS X) and Win32 platforms.
Some versions of MGEN have graphical user interface support. Here are some screenshots of the graphical user interfaces for the mgen and drec programs which are part of MGEN Version 3.x distributions.
At this time, two different versions (MGEN 4.x and MGEN 3.x) of MGEN are available. Note that these two different versions are not interoperable.
MGEN Version 4.0
This is an updated version of the MGEN toolset. This version supports IPv6 networking and provides support for Win32 platforms in addition to a broad base of Unix-based platforms. This version features a more modular code architecture. Several enhancements are planned, including support for TCP messaging in addition to UDP, and support for additional statistical traffic generation patterns. At this point in time, MGEN 4.x encompasses the feature set of MGEN 3.x, except for support of Reservation Protocol (RSVP) testing. It is hoped that RSVP support will be added to MGEN 4.x in the near future.
MGEN 4.x Downloads
MGEN 4.x source and binary distributions are available for download at:
http://downloads.pf.itd.nrl.navy.mil/mgen/
The trpr (Trace Plot Real Time) analysis program and gpsLogger Global Positioning System (GPS) utilities are available at the Protean Tools webpage. The gpsLogger utility allows MGEN to report GPS host position information in the test message payload. This can be useful for mobile network testing and evaluation.
MGEN 4.x Documentation
An on-line MGEN User's and Reference Guide for MGEN 4.x is also available.
MGEN 4.x Installation
In some cases, prebuilt binary distributions are available. However, the mgen application can be easily built on most Unix-based platforms and Win32 platforms. The MGEN source code is also available for checkout from a downloads directory at http://downloads.pf.itd.nrl.navy.mil/projects/mgen. See the instructions there for further details. Note that the NRL Protolib source code distribution is required and is also available via downloads from the NRL at our downloads site.
UNIX
The mgen program can be built with gcc on most Unix platforms.
- Download and unpack the MGEN source code distribution.
cd mgen-4.0/unix directory- Select the appropriate Makefile.<os> for your operating system and type
"
make –f Makefile.<os> mgen" to build.
Win32
A Visual C++ workspace and project is provided to build the mgen tool. Note that the Microsoft Platform SDK may be required to build mgen with some of its more advance networking features such as IPv6 support and eventual RSVP support.
- Download and unpack the MGEN source code distribution
cd mgen-4.0/win32 directory- Open the "mgen.dsw" Visual C++ workspace file
- Type F7 to build the mgen.exe program. (The executable will be found in the directory "mgen-4.0/win32/Release" or "mgen-4.0/win32/Debug" depending upon which configuration is selected).
MGEN Version 3.3
This is the older version of MGEN Toolset which builds and runs on various Unix-based platforms. It has optional support for operation with ISI's rsvpd.
MGEN 3.x Downloads
This version will no longer continue to be updated. However, binary and source code distributions will remain available at:
http://downloads.pf.itd.nrl.navy.mil/mgen/mgen3/
Some additional post-processing utilities can be found at MGEN 3.x Utilities
The TRPR log file analysis program is also compatible with MGEN 3.x log files.
MGEN 3.x Documentation
An on-line user's guide is available at: MGEN 3.x User's Guide.
Contact
If you are interested in more information about MGEN, please contact mgen@pf.itd.nrl.navy.mil. There is also an MGEN Users Mailing List. This mailing list is monitored by the MGEN developer(s).