OMNEST
OMNEST is a discrete-event simulation environment for creating, running and evaluating models of communication networks, hardware interconnects and other sys…
What OMNEST is
OMNEST is a discrete-event simulation environment for creating, running and evaluating models of communication networks, hardware interconnects and other systems. Its Simulation IDE covers model development, building, configuration, execution, result analysis, trace visualization and documentation generation. The INET library includes protocol models for the Internet, TSN and mobile ad hoc networks. OMNEST can work with external simulators, Matlab, SystemC and HLA. It supports parallel distributed simulation on clusters and multicore or multiprocessor architectures, along with real-time emulation and hardware-in-the-loop. The simulation kernel or complete simulations can be embedded in software products under custom licensing. OMNEST provides API access and self-hosted deployment on Linux, macOS and Windows. Student coursework, school or university teaching and practice labs are listed as free uses, while industry-oriented research requires a commercial license. Companies can evaluate it free and receive technical support during evaluation. Commercial annual and perpetual named-user licenses are priced by quotation; annual terms last 12 months, while perpetual terms allow installation on a reasonable number of machines for that user.
Good
- IDE covers modeling through documentation generation
- INET supplies Internet, TSN and mobile network models
- Supports clusters and multicore distributed simulation
- Includes real-time emulation and hardware-in-the-loop
- Free educational use and company evaluation
Watch out
- Commercial pricing requires a quotation
- Industry-oriented research requires a commercial license
- Embedding simulations requires custom licensing
- Annual licenses are offered only for 12 months
Who it suits
OMNEST suits researchers, educators and engineers modeling networks, interconnects and other systems. It also fits organizations needing distributed simulation, emulation, hardware-in-the-loop or software embedding.
Verdict
OMNEST combines a full simulation IDE, protocol models and integration options for technical modeling work. Free educational and evaluation paths are available, while commercial and embedding use require licensing discussions.
Plans and prices
From OMNEST's own pricing page, checked 4 Oct 2026.
| Plan | Price | What it gives you |
|---|---|---|
| Commercial annual license | — | Named user · valid for 12 months · licenses shorter than 12 months are not offered · 12 months; price by quotation |
| Commercial perpetual license | — | Named user · install on a reasonable number of machines for that user · Perpetual; price by quotation |
The facts
Each one read from OMNEST's own pages, with the date it was checked.
The company
- Company
- Cogitative Software FZE identifies itself as OMNEST’s exclusive worldwide distributor and gives an address in Umm Al Quwain, UAE.checked 4 Oct 2026
- Headquarters
- Umm Al Quwain, United Arab Emirateschecked 28 Sep 2026
What it does
- Embedding
- The simulation kernel or complete simulations can be embedded into software products, with embedding use subject to custom licensing.checked 4 Oct 2026
- Evaluation
- Companies may evaluate OMNEST free of charge and receive technical support during evaluation; no trial duration is stated on the page.checked 4 Oct 2026
- IDE
- The Simulation IDE supports model development, building, configuration, execution, result analysis, trace visualization and documentation generation.checked 4 Oct 2026
- Integrations
- The maker states that OMNEST can work with external simulators, Matlab, SystemC and HLA.checked 4 Oct 2026
- License limits
- A license allows redistribution of simulation code and NED files, but self-running simulations containing OMNEST require separate consideration.checked 4 Oct 2026
- Network models
- INET is OMNEST’s standard protocol simulation library and includes models for Internet, TSN, mobile ad hoc networks and more.checked 4 Oct 2026
- Orientation
- Every license purchase includes a dedicated one-hour orientation meeting over video conferencing.checked 4 Oct 2026
- Performance
- OMNEST supports parallel distributed simulation on clusters or multicore and multiprocessor architectures.checked 4 Oct 2026
- Purpose
- OMNEST provides infrastructure for creating, running and evaluating simulations of communication networks, hardware interconnects and other systems.checked 4 Oct 2026
- Support
- The maker offers email technical support, access to current versions and updates through support plans, and priority bug fixes and feature requests.checked 4 Oct 2026
Money
- Free educational use
- The licensing FAQ lists student coursework and school or university teaching and practice labs as free uses, while industry-oriented research requires a commercial license.checked 4 Oct 2026
Where it runs
- Platforms
- The maker’s installation guide lists Linux, macOS 15 and Windows 11 as supported platforms for OMNEST including its IDE.checked 4 Oct 2026
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