Co-Simulation - OMNeT++ and OpenDSS

[Gustavo Troiano]

Hi dears,

I am planning to do a co-simulation using OMNeT++ and OpenDSS.

I've read one article in which OpenDSS is installed in Windows and OMNeT++ in Linux using VirtualBox . They will communicate via socket.

Well, the OMNeT Install Guide recommends that we install it in a Unix-like platform in case we perform parallel simulations.

At first, I think I won't need parallel simulations.

Do you still recommend OMNeT++ installation in Linux? I heard that I could have problems with gcc if using Windows.

Sorry for the basic question.

Gustavo.

[Rudolf Hornig]

On Thursday, 17 December 2015 14:07:14 UTC+1, Gustavo Troiano wrote:

Hi dears,

I am planning to do a co-simulation using OMNeT++ and OpenDSS.

I've read one article in which OpenDSS is installed in Windows and OMNeT++ in Linux using VirtualBox . They will communicate via socket.

Well, the OMNeT Install Guide recommends that we install it in a Unix-like platform in case we perform parallel simulations.

Your case is should not be considered as a "parallel simulation" scenario, so that recommendation may not apply. Parallel simulation is the case when you run an OMNeT++ simulation on multiple machines, cores in the hope that the simulation will run faster.

Your case is more of a co-simulation where two different simulation engines run in tandem. This is the same scenario like Veins where Sumo and OMNeT++ is used in cooperation. They also communicate via sockets, but in that case both simulator run on the same machine (linux).

 

At first, I think I won't need parallel simulations.

Right. 

Do you still recommend OMNeT++ installation in Linux? I heard that I could have problems with gcc if using Windows.

Generally building on Linux is much faster than on Windows because of the differences of the given opsystem's handling of small file writes (which is dominant when you build big projects) (we have measured sometimes 5x difference!) As for gcc, the bundled mingw gcc compiler should work, but there were sporadic reports with lockups during the build process. You can try also OMNeT 5.0b3 which comes with an updated mingw-w64 toolchain.

 

Sorry for the basic question.

It is wise to ask for guidance, as these decisions will impact your whole project and issues will surface only after you spent a lot of time with the project. Generally I would suggest to stick to Linux if possible (faster compile times, better). It depends also how much change you intend to made on the different simulators. If you will work mostly on the OMNeT++ models, then stick to Linux. If you have to extensively modify things in OpenDSS then probably hosting both simulators on Windows would worth a try.

It would be also possible to run OpenDSS in a virtual macine on windows and do your modelling on Linux with OMNeT++. 

Rudolf

 

Gustavo.

[Gustavo Troiano]

Ok Rudolf.

Thank you very much for your response!

Regards.