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I would like to clone a network environment that exists at our work place. Our network has a Domain, 3 VLANs, 3 manageable HP switches, VMware and standard servers that are running server 2003, Exchange. We also have FTP Linux server (which I don’t know much about at this stage), 2 firewalls, email appliance and web appliance (proxy). I have OK understanding of the way everything works, however; not enough for me to feel very comfortable in case something goes wrong. I want to be able to make changes to reinforce my knowledge or improve things without touching a live network.<br />
Is there a simulator or other software (free would be nice) that I can use to clone our network? <br />
thanks<br />

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I would like to clone a network environment that exists at our work place. Our network has a Domain, 3 VLANs, 3 manageable HP switches, VMware and standard servers that are running server 2003, Exchange. We also have FTP Linux server (which I don’t know much about at this stage), 2 firewalls, email appliance and web appliance (proxy). I have OK understanding of the way everything works, however; not enough for me to feel very comfortable in case something goes wrong. I want to be able to make changes to reinforce my knowledge or improve things without touching a live network.
Is there a simulator or other software (free would be nice) that I can use to clone our network? 
thanks


Network simulator

Networking is the process of connecting computing devices, peripherals and terminals together through a system that uses wiring, cabling or radio waves that enable their users to communicate, share information and interact over distances. Often associated are issues regarding operating systems, hardware and equipment, cloud and virtual networking, protocols, architecture, storage and management.

Networking

Networking hardware includes the physical devices facilitating the use of a computer network. Typically, networking hardware includes gateways, routers, network bridges, modems, wireless access points, networking cables, line drivers, switches, hubs, and repeaters. But it also includes hybrid network devices such as multilayer switches, protocol converters, bridge routers, proxy servers, firewalls, network address translators, multiplexers, network interface controllers, wireless network interface controllers, ISDN terminal adapters and other related hardware.

Networking Hardware-Other

Network analysis is the process of identifying and remediating the processes and systems within a network, including performance, connectivity and security. The process is performed through the use of tools developed for monitoring and analyzing network activity. Network problems that involve finding an optimal way of doing something are studied under the name combinatorial optimization. Examples include network flow, shortest path problem, transport problem, transshipment problem, location problem, matching problem, assignment problem, packing problem, routing problem, Critical Path Analysis and PERT (Program Evaluation & Review Technique).