diff --git a/mixnet/v2/sim/config.py b/mixnet/v2/sim/config.py
index 0c6328f..e3721a7 100644
--- a/mixnet/v2/sim/config.py
+++ b/mixnet/v2/sim/config.py
@@ -1,4 +1,8 @@
 from dataclasses import dataclass
+from typing import Self
+
+import dacite
+import yaml
 
 
 @dataclass
@@ -7,5 +11,24 @@ class Config:
     num_nodes: int
     num_mix_layers: int
     message_interval: int
-    message_prob: float
+    real_message_prob: float
+    cover_message_prob: float
     max_message_prep_time: float
+
+    @classmethod
+    def load(cls, yaml_path: str) -> Self:
+        with open(yaml_path, "r") as f:
+            data = yaml.safe_load(f)
+        config = dacite.from_dict(data_class=Config, data=data)
+
+        # Validations
+        assert config.running_time > 0
+        assert config.num_nodes > 0
+        assert 0 < config.num_mix_layers <= config.num_nodes
+        assert config.message_interval > 0
+        assert config.real_message_prob >= 0
+        assert config.cover_message_prob >= 0
+        assert config.real_message_prob + config.cover_message_prob <= 1
+        assert config.max_message_prep_time >= 0
+
+        return config
diff --git a/mixnet/v2/sim/config.yaml b/mixnet/v2/sim/config.yaml
index e692487..27229bf 100644
--- a/mixnet/v2/sim/config.yaml
+++ b/mixnet/v2/sim/config.yaml
@@ -2,5 +2,8 @@ running_time: 30
 num_nodes: 5
 num_mix_layers: 3
 message_interval: 1
-message_prob: 0.2
+# (real_message_prob + cover_message_prob) should be <= 1
+# If the sum is < 1, then the remaining probability is for sending nothing.
+real_message_prob: 0.1
+cover_message_prob: 0.4
 max_message_prep_time: 0.3
\ No newline at end of file
diff --git a/mixnet/v2/sim/main.py b/mixnet/v2/sim/main.py
index 460c58b..1bc549d 100644
--- a/mixnet/v2/sim/main.py
+++ b/mixnet/v2/sim/main.py
@@ -1,10 +1,8 @@
 import argparse
 
-import dacite
 import matplotlib.pyplot as plt
 import pandas as pd
 import seaborn
-import yaml
 
 from config import Config
 from simulation import Simulation
@@ -14,10 +12,7 @@ if __name__ == "__main__":
     parser.add_argument("--config", type=str, required=True, help="Configuration file path")
     args = parser.parse_args()
 
-    with open(args.config, "r") as f:
-        config = yaml.safe_load(f)
-    config = dacite.from_dict(data_class=Config, data=config)
-
+    config = Config.load(args.config)
     sim = Simulation(config)
     sim.run()
 
diff --git a/mixnet/v2/sim/node.py b/mixnet/v2/sim/node.py
index 1bb5dae..f821393 100644
--- a/mixnet/v2/sim/node.py
+++ b/mixnet/v2/sim/node.py
@@ -29,23 +29,29 @@ class Node:
         Creates/encapsulate a message and send it to the network through the mixnet
         """
         while True:
-            # TODO: Use the realistic cover traffic emission rate
             yield self.env.timeout(self.config.message_interval)
 
-            if not self.is_message_sender():
+            payload = self.payload_to_send()
+            if payload is None:  # nothing to send in this turn
                 continue
 
             prep_time = random.uniform(0, self.config.max_message_prep_time)
             yield self.env.timeout(prep_time)
 
             self.log("Sending a message to the mixnet")
-            msg = self.create_message()
+            msg = self.create_message(payload)
             self.env.process(self.p2p.broadcast(msg))
 
-    def is_message_sender(self) -> bool:
-        return random.random() < self.config.message_prob
+    def payload_to_send(self) -> bytes | None:
+        rnd = random.random()
+        if rnd < self.config.real_message_prob:
+            return self.REAL_PAYLOAD
+        elif rnd < self.config.real_message_prob + self.config.cover_message_prob:
+            return self.COVER_PAYLOAD
+        else:
+            return None
 
-    def create_message(self) -> SphinxPacket:
+    def create_message(self, payload: bytes) -> SphinxPacket:
         """
         Creates a message using the Sphinx format
         @return:
@@ -54,7 +60,6 @@ class Node:
         public_keys = [mix.public_key for mix in mixes]
         # TODO: replace with realistic tx
         incentive_txs = [Node.create_incentive_tx(mix.public_key) for mix in mixes]
-        payload = random.choice([self.REAL_PAYLOAD, self.COVER_PAYLOAD])
         return SphinxPacket(public_keys, incentive_txs, payload)
 
     def receive_message(self, msg: SphinxPacket | bytes):
@@ -78,6 +83,8 @@ class Node:
                                             + self.PADDING_SEPARATOR
                                             + bytes(len(msg) - len(msg.payload) - len(self.PADDING_SEPARATOR)))
                         self.env.process(self.p2p.broadcast(final_padded_msg))
+                    else:
+                        self.log("Dropping a cover message: %s" % msg.payload)
                 else:
                     # TODO: use Poisson delay or something else
                     yield self.env.timeout(random.randint(0, 5))