Simulate multiple IPs for testing

Question

I need to simulate several built-in server devices that are commonly used to control the engine. In real life, there can be several servers on a network, and our desktop software acts simultaneously as a client for all server servers. We have half a dozen of these engine management servers at hand for basic testing, but it is becoming more expensive to test larger systems using real equipment. I would like to create a simulator that can look like many servers on the network to test our client software.

How can I create a simulator that will look like it has many IP addresses on the same port, without physically connecting many network adapters. For example, client software will try to connect to servers 192.168.10.1 through 192.168.10.50 on port 1111. The simulator will accept all these connections and run simulations, as if they were moving physical engines and sending simulated data on these socket connections.

Can I use a router to map all of these addresses on a single test server, or, ideally, is there a way to use localhost to “spoof” these IP addresses? Client software is written in .Net, but Python ideas would also be welcome.

Answer 1

a. consider using Bonjour (zeroconf) to discover a service

C. You can assign one or more IP addresses to the same network adapter:

In XP, Start → Control Panel → Network Connections and select the properties on your network card (usually “Local Area Connection”).

Scroll down to the Internet Protocol (TCP / IP), select it and click [Properties].

If you use DHCP, you will need to get a static base IP address from your IT. Otherwise, click [Advanced] and in the "IP Addresses" section, click [Add ..] Enter the IP information for the additional IP address you want to add.

Repeat for each additional IP address.

C. Consider using VMWare, as you can configure multiple systems and virtual IP addresses in a single logical network of “computers”.

- sky

Answer 2

You need to configure a virtual network adapter. These are called TAP / TUN devices. If you use windows, you can easily configure some dummy addresses with the following:

http://www.ntkernel.com/w&p.php?id=32

Good luck

Answer 3

Usually you just listen to 0.0.0.0. This is an alias for all IP addresses.