The CMake configuration in this directory cannot be used to build SimGrid Instead, it can be used to auto-test it. To use it, you need a svn checkout under ~/simgrid-svn. Command to create it: cd svn checkout svn://scm.gforge.inria.fr/svn/simgrid/simgrid/trunk simgrid-svn Then, you need to create a distribution archive, with this command: ~/simgrid-svn/buildtools/scripts/make_dist.sh The archive will be copied into the ~/simgrid directory. Then, you can test the archive with autotools only using that command: ~/simgrid-svn/buildtools/scripts/test_dist_with_autotools.sh Alternatively, you can test the archive with cmake using that command: ~/simgrid-svn/buildtools/scripts/test_dist_with_cmake.sh Please note that autotools are needed in any cases. Only the test mechanism changes between the two pathes so far.