Utilities Windows
Filius
Design small computer networks and explore how messages travel with Filius, a free network simulator for classroom learning. The Windows installer includes Java.
Version 2.14 · Direct publisher file
Link checked · Download guidance
What is Filius?
Filius is a learning application for exploring computer networks rather than configuring a live network. It is aimed at secondary-school learners and supports an experimental approach: create a network, assign addresses and observe communication between simulated computers. Publisher-linked teaching materials cover client-server systems, connected networks, the web, DNS and email.
A useful starting exercise connects two notebook computers with different IP addresses. Switch from design mode to action mode, install the simulated command line on one computer and use ping to contact the other. The data-exchange window lets learners relate command output to exchanged messages. This workflow comes from the publisher-linked inf-schule lesson; it is not a test performed for this entry.
The selected download is the publisher-linked Windows EXE for Filius 2.14, dated August 29, 2026. Its Java runtime is included, so the publisher does not require a separate Java installation for this installer. The Java 17 requirement on the same page applies to the Ubuntu and ZIP variants. Compiling custom applications through the software assistant requires a JDK runtime.
The simulation simplifies real networking: the publisher-linked textbook explains that the lowest two communication layers are largely omitted and packet transmission is assumed to be error-free and collision-free. Use it to study network concepts, not to measure physical-link behavior. The screenshot is an existing teaching example with an unspecified host OS and app version, not a newly captured Windows 2.14 session.
What it offers
- Build simulated computer networks and assign IP addresses to their computers.
- Switch between design and action modes to configure a network and use simulated applications.
- Use a simulated command line and ping while inspecting the data-exchange window.
- Explore client-server communication, connected networks, WWW, DNS and email with publisher-linked learning materials.
- Use the included Java runtime in the Windows installer without installing Java separately.
Good to know
- The teaching simulation largely omits the two lowest communication layers and assumes error-free, collision-free transmission; it does not reproduce physical-link faults.
- Creating and compiling custom applications through the software assistant requires a JDK runtime.
- The accessed publisher download page does not specify supported Windows releases or CPU architectures.
Product images
Sources
References used for this listing. Retrieval dates do not indicate hands-on testing.
- Filius - Herunterladen ↗Retrieved
- Filius - Startseite ↗Retrieved
- Filius - Begleitmaterial ↗Retrieved
- inf-schule | Kommunikation in Rechnernetzen » Kommunikation in Rechnernetzen - Simulation mit Filius ↗Retrieved
- inf-schule | Vernetzung von Rechnern » Erkundung - Vernetzung von zwei Rechnern ↗Retrieved
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