NS2 has a very large user base

Although network simulator NS2 is quite hard to use, the fact that NS2 is free to use, an open source and can be extended and added with new protocol makes a lot of people using it.

Having a large supporters is considered as a big advantage. The supporters of course will create new support tool to help using NS2.

The support tool can be in form of written materials , forums, blogs, tutorials and software.

A lot researcher develop their own tools and program to help using NS2.

NS2 lacks of support tools makes it harder

NS2 - Network Simulator 2 is a very popular network simulator, but the fact that it is lack of support tool make it hard to learn. However some effort has been taken by ns2 users to improve experience in using NS2. The basic usage is by typing the simulation script, running ns interpreter, get result in form of trace file and anaylse the trace file using your familiar programming language.

The effort can be divided into three categories:

1. Development of written material
The written material available are the:
a) Ns2 manual - Complete Manual but very thick and not easy, no that suitable for beginners
b) Tutorial - There are a lot of tutorial available to be downloaded from the net. The amount of the tutorial available shows that the NS2 is not that easy to use and the manual is not that helpful.
c) Blogs - there are a lot blog sharing information about ns2 installation and how to use ns2.

2. Forum - mailing list
2) Ns2 has its own forum with very large user base, if anyone have problem with NS2 please go to the mailing list and search for answer before asking people around.

3. Development of tools
A lot of tools has been developed by individuals or group.
The tool can be divided into three part:
1) To create simulation script
2) To create topology of a lot of networks
3) To show the output such as animation and result

Using the tool will help a lot to kick start with NS2.