Simulation models have been developed in order to foresee characteristics of networks, systems or protocols when carrying out tests in laboratories is very expensive or even impossible. This paper presents a simulation model of a multiprocessor network traffic analysis system. The model, which is based on closed networks of queues, evaluates the efficiency of the system depending on the hardware/software platform features. Therefore, this model is able to estimate performance early in the design and development stages simulating a multiprocessor architecture in charge of analysing network traffic. The goodness of the model will be checked by comparing analytical results with practical ones obtained in laboratory using a traffic analysis system that runs on a multiprocessor platform.

<span lang="en">The rate of networks is bigger all the time. Because of this increase, computational ability of network resources and principal servers could not be adequate. In order to improve the performance of this equipment traffic generators are needed. These have to generate modelled traffic flows at high rates. To do this, the system must measure short lapses of time. This paper studies how the traffic generator over GNU/Linux sends a packet. It presents some temporary parameters to define the packet sending. Some experiments have been done in order to measure those parameters. Thanks to those measurements, this paper studies how this sending is, in fact. This helps taking decisions in the final design of the traffic generator.</span>