RiCoBiT · Routing Visualized
Watch how requests, acknowledgements, and data traverse the RiCoBiT fabric. Configure rings, pick endpoints, and replay the entire handshake — frame by frame. Experience routing decisions unfold in real-time, making complex network behaviors intuitive and accessible for learners and experts alike.
Live RiCoBiT fabric
Sliding packets are a preview only. Launch the simulator to see the real thing in motion.
Overview
RiCoBiT (Ring-based Communication Bit) is a topology and routing scheme built around interconnected rings. It focuses on predictable paths, deterministic hop counts, and a clean separation of control and data traffic. By organizing nodes in concentric rings, RiCoBiT ensures efficient, low-latency communication while simplifying troubleshooting and scalability in distributed systems.
Nodes are logically placed on one or more rings. This makes routing decisions straightforward, reduces ambiguity in next-hop selection, and keeps visualizations intuitive. For instance, packets always follow the shortest ring-based path, eliminating guesswork and enabling precise latency predictions.
Control messages and payloads are clearly separated into request, acknowledgement, and data transfers — perfect for teaching protocol design and timing.
Designed for classrooms, workshops, and research demos where you want to slow down time, highlight paths, and answer "what actually happened?" in seconds.
Nodes are logically placed on one or more rings. This makes routing decisions straightforward, reduces ambiguity in next-hop selection, and keeps visualizations intuitive. For instance, packets always follow the shortest ring-based path, eliminating guesswork and enabling precise latency predictions.
Control messages and payloads are clearly separated into request, acknowledgement, and data transfers — perfect for teaching protocol design and timing.
Designed for classrooms, workshops, and research demos where you want to slow down time, highlight paths, and answer "what actually happened?" in seconds.
Nodes are logically placed on one or more rings. This makes routing decisions straightforward, reduces ambiguity in next-hop selection, and keeps visualizations intuitive. For instance, packets always follow the shortest ring-based path, eliminating guesswork and enabling precise latency predictions.
Control messages and payloads are clearly separated into request, acknowledgement, and data transfers — perfect for teaching protocol design and timing.
Designed for classrooms, workshops, and research demos where you want to slow down time, highlight paths, and answer "what actually happened?" in seconds.
Highlights
Choose ring counts, configure neighbors, and instantly visualize shortest paths between any source-destination pair. This interactivity allows you to experiment with fault scenarios, such as link failures, and observe how RiCoBiT reroutes packets seamlessly.
Track REQ, ACK, and DATA activity in a synchronized event log. Slow down or step through each phase to explain what's going on. Detailed timestamps and hop counters reveal bottlenecks, making it ideal for analyzing protocol efficiency in real-world network simulations.
Responsive, keyboard-accessible, and mobile friendly. Zoom, pan, and toggle panels without losing the big picture.
Flow
Select ring size, layout, and node roles. Set the source and destination and optionally inject faults or broken links. This setup mirrors real RiCoBiT deployments, allowing you to test routing under various conditions before simulating packet flow.
Launch a REQ and watch it travel hop-by-hop. RiCoBiT's rules determine the path, while the UI highlights every movement.
Use the handshake timeline and event log to explain routing decisions, timing, and any dropped or rerouted packets. Pause at any point to annotate paths or compare alternative routes, turning complex routing logic into an interactive teaching tool.
Use cases
Use RiCoBiT Visualizer to show students why certain routes are chosen, and how control messages guarantee reliable delivery. For example, demonstrate how REQ packets establish paths, fostering deeper understanding of network protocols in introductory computer science courses.
Experiment with custom routing logic, visualize alternative paths, and compare behavior before you move to hardware. This early-stage visualization helps identify inefficiencies, such as unnecessary hops, saving time and resources in full-scale implementations.
Put the simulator on the projector and walk your audience through complex topologies without drowning them in packet captures.
Launch the simulator and start exploring RiCoBiT topologies in real time — straight from your browser.