diff --git a/src/network/model/node.cc b/src/network/model/node.cc
index 070f1602a..9aaa27091 100644
--- a/src/network/model/node.cc
+++ b/src/network/model/node.cc
@@ -126,6 +126,13 @@ Node::GetSystemId (void) const
   return m_sid;
 }
 
+void
+Node::SetSystemId (uint32_t systemId)
+{
+  NS_LOG_FUNCTION (this << systemId);
+  m_sid = systemId;
+}
+
 uint32_t
 Node::AddDevice (Ptr<NetDevice> device)
 {
diff --git a/src/network/model/node.h b/src/network/model/node.h
index ef8215912..c54f9652d 100644
--- a/src/network/model/node.h
+++ b/src/network/model/node.h
@@ -94,6 +94,13 @@ public:
    */
   uint32_t GetSystemId (void) const;
 
+  /**
+   * \brief Set the system ID for auto-partition in the multithreaded simulator
+   * 
+   * \param systemId the system ID this node will be
+   */
+  void SetSystemId (uint32_t systemId);
+
   /**
    * \brief Associate a NetDevice to this node.
    *