So the first thing you may ask is “why NS3”? The name was chosen because the model is a network sourcing model (which is the NS part) and the 3 comes from there being three types of nodes in this style of network model: a production, intermediate and consumption node. This way, it’s actually easy to remember what this model does based on the name!

In sourcing models one will specify where products are created (manufactured) and where they are required to be delivered (consumed). Often we have intermediate nodes (such as warehouses) which form the back-bone of the distribution footprint. The problem we’re trying to solve is how to meet the consumption demands at a minimum cost while meeting the constraints imposed by the design of the network.