# Mixed mode of real SubDevices and simulated SubDevices

In order to implement restbus simulation it is possible to mix real SubDevices and simulated SubDevices like this:

![Diagram showing a mixed EC-Simulator network configuration with both real SubDevices and simulated SubDevices for restbus simulation](../Media/mix_real_slaves_and_simulated_slaves.png)

All real SubDevices must be configured accordingly:

![EC-Engineer configuration view showing how real SubDevices must be marked in the EtherCAT network topology for mixed mode operation](../Media/real_slaves_configuration.png)

See also /EtherCATConfig/ExtendedConfig/Slaves/Slave/Simulated in the EXI file:

![EXI file editor showing the EtherCATConfig/ExtendedConfig/Slaves/Slave/Simulated element for marking SubDevices as simulated in mixed mode](../Media/EtherCATConfig_ExtendedConfig_Slaves_Slave_Simulated.png)

The EC-Simulator will automatically assign the network adapters to the corresponding ports in order of
configuration.

#### SEE ALSO
[`EC_T_SIMULATOR_INIT_PARMS::apLinkParms`](api_general.html.md#_CPPv4N25EC_T_SIMULATOR_INIT_PARMS11apLinkParmsE) at [`esInitSimulator()`](api_general.html.md#_CPPv415esInitSimulator10EC_T_DWORDPK25EC_T_SIMULATOR_INIT_PARMS).