To implement the Network Function Virtualization (NFV) and orchestration of Virtual Network Functions (VNFs) in ns3 has encompasses to meet the criteria of the network services of orchestrated and that enthusiastically handle and simulate the VNF network. These detailed procedures demonstrate the detailed process of setup a simple NFV scenario with VNFs orchestration in ns3.
Step-by-Step Implementation:
Step 1: Set Up ns3 Environment
- Download ns3: Install the ns3.
- Install ns3: Follow the installation instructions for your operating system.
- Familiarize with ns3 basics: Understand how to create nodes, set up channels, and run basic simulations.
Step 2: Define Network Topology
Generate the network topology where nodes represent network elements like VNFs and orchestrators.
#include “ns3/core-module.h”
#include “ns3/network-module.h”
#include “ns3/internet-module.h”
#include “ns3/point-to-point-module.h”
#include “ns3/applications-module.h”
using namespace ns3;
NS_LOG_COMPONENT_DEFINE(“VnfOrchestrationSimulation”);
int main(int argc, char *argv[])
{
CommandLine cmd;
cmd.Parse(argc, argv);
// Create nodes
NodeContainer nodes;
nodes.Create(6); // Create 6 nodes representing VNFs and orchestrator
// Create point-to-point links
PointToPointHelper pointToPoint;
pointToPoint.SetDeviceAttribute(“DataRate”, StringValue(“10Mbps”));
pointToPoint.SetChannelAttribute(“Delay”, StringValue(“2ms”));
NetDeviceContainer devices;
for (uint32_t i = 0; i < nodes.GetN() – 1; ++i)
{
devices.Add(pointToPoint.Install(nodes.Get(i), nodes.Get(i + 1)));
}
// Install internet stack
InternetStackHelper stack;
stack.Install(nodes);
// Assign IP addresses
Ipv4AddressHelper address;
address.SetBase(“10.1.1.0”, “255.255.255.0”);
Ipv4InterfaceContainer interfaces = address.Assign(devices);
// Schedule applications and simulation
Simulator::Run();
Simulator::Destroy();
return 0;
}
Step 3: Create VNF Application
To simulate VNFs, We will create a custom application that simulates network functions such as firewalls, load balancers, or NAT.
Custom VNF Application
#include “ns3/application.h”
#include “ns3/socket.h”
#include “ns3/ipv4-address.h”
#include “ns3/inet-socket-address.h”
#include “ns3/log.h”
#include “ns3/random-variable-stream.h”
using namespace ns3;
class VnfApp : public Application
{
public:
static TypeId GetTypeId()
{
static TypeId tid = TypeId(“ns3::VnfApp”)
.SetParent<Application>()
.SetGroupName(“Tutorial”)
.AddConstructor<VnfApp>();
return tid;
}
VnfApp()
{
m_socket = 0;
m_port = 9;
}
void Setup(Ptr<Socket> socket, Ipv4Address peerAddress, uint16_t port)
{
m_socket = socket;
m_peerAddress = peerAddress;
m_port = port;
}
void StartApplication() override
{
m_socket->Bind();
m_socket->Connect(InetSocketAddress(m_peerAddress, m_port));
ScheduleNextPacket();
}
void StopApplication() override
{
if (m_socket)
{
m_socket->Close();
}
}
private:
void ScheduleNextPacket()
{
Simulator::Schedule(Seconds(1.0), &VnfApp::SendPacket, this);
}
void SendPacket()
{
Ptr<Packet> packet = Create<Packet>(1024); // Simulate a packet
m_socket->Send(packet);
ScheduleNextPacket();
}
Ptr<Socket> m_socket;
Ipv4Address m_peerAddress;
uint16_t m_port;
};
// Main function
int main(int argc, char *argv[])
{
NodeContainer nodes;
nodes.Create(6); // Create 6 nodes representing VNFs and orchestrator
PointToPointHelper pointToPoint;
pointToPoint.SetDeviceAttribute(“DataRate”, StringValue(“10Mbps”));
pointToPoint.SetChannelAttribute(“Delay”, StringValue(“2ms”));
NetDeviceContainer devices;
for (uint32_t i = 0; i < nodes.GetN() – 1; ++i)
{
devices.Add(pointToPoint.Install(nodes.Get(i), nodes.Get(i + 1)));
}
InternetStackHelper stack;
stack.Install(nodes);
Ipv4AddressHelper address;
address.SetBase(“10.1.1.0”, “255.255.255.0”);
Ipv4InterfaceContainer interfaces = address.Assign(devices);
// Install VNF applications
for (uint32_t i = 0; i < nodes.GetN(); ++i)
{
Ptr<Socket> ns3UdpSocket = Socket::CreateSocket(nodes.Get(i), UdpSocketFactory::GetTypeId());
Ptr<VnfApp> app = CreateObject<VnfApp>();
app->Setup(ns3UdpSocket, interfaces.GetAddress((i + 1) % nodes.GetN()), 9);
nodes.Get(i)->AddApplication(app);
app->SetStartTime(Seconds(1.0));
app->SetStopTime(Seconds(100.0));
}
Simulator::Run();
Simulator::Destroy();
return 0;
}
Step 4: Create Orchestrator Application
To simulate the orchestration, we’ll create a custom application that manages the lifecycle of VNFs, such as starting, stopping, and scaling VNFs based on network conditions.
Custom Orchestrator Application
#include “ns3/application.h”
#include “ns3/socket.h”
#include “ns3/ipv4-address.h”
#include “ns3/inet-socket-address.h”
#include “ns3/log.h”
#include “ns3/ipv4-static-routing-helper.h”
#include “ns3/ipv4-static-routing.h”
#include “ns3/ipv4-routing-table-entry.h”
#include “ns3/nstime.h”
using namespace ns3;
class OrchestratorApp : public Application
{
public:
static TypeId GetTypeId()
{
static TypeId tid = TypeId(“ns3::OrchestratorApp”)
.SetParent<Application>()
.SetGroupName(“Tutorial”)
.AddConstructor<OrchestratorApp>();
return tid;
}
OrchestratorApp()
{
m_socket = 0;
}
void Setup(Ptr<Socket> socket, std::vector<Ipv4Address> vnfAddresses, uint16_t port)
{
m_socket = socket;
m_vnfAddresses = vnfAddresses;
m_port = port;
}
void StartApplication() override
{
m_socket->Bind();
ScheduleNextVnf();
}
void StopApplication() override
{
if (m_socket)
{
m_socket->Close();
}
}
private:
void ScheduleNextVnf()
{
Simulator::Schedule(Seconds(5.0), &OrchestratorApp::ManageVnfs, this);
}
void ManageVnfs()
{
// Example logic to start, stop, or scale VNFs
Ptr<Packet> packet = Create<Packet>(1024); // Simulate orchestration command
for (Ipv4Address addr : m_vnfAddresses)
{
m_socket->Connect(InetSocketAddress(addr, m_port));
m_socket->Send(packet);
}
// Schedule the next orchestration action
ScheduleNextVnf();
}
Ptr<Socket> m_socket;
std::vector<Ipv4Address> m_vnfAddresses;
uint16_t m_port;
};
// Main function
int main(int argc, char *argv[])
{
NodeContainer nodes;
nodes.Create(6); // Create 6 nodes representing VNFs and orchestrator
PointToPointHelper pointToPoint;
pointToPoint.SetDeviceAttribute(“DataRate”, StringValue(“10Mbps”));
pointToPoint.SetChannelAttribute(“Delay”, StringValue(“2ms”));
NetDeviceContainer devices;
for (uint32_t i = 0; i < nodes.GetN() – 1; ++i)
{
devices.Add(pointToPoint.Install(nodes.Get(i), nodes.Get(i + 1)));
}
InternetStackHelper stack;
stack.Install(nodes);
Ipv4AddressHelper address;
address.SetBase(“10.1.1.0”, “255.255.255.0”);
Ipv4InterfaceContainer interfaces = address.Assign(devices);
// Install VNF applications
for (uint32_t i = 0; i < nodes.GetN() – 1; ++i)
{
Ptr<Socket> ns3UdpSocket = Socket::CreateSocket(nodes.Get(i), UdpSocketFactory::GetTypeId());
Ptr<VnfApp> app = CreateObject<VnfApp>();
app->Setup(ns3UdpSocket, interfaces.GetAddress((i + 1) % nodes.GetN()), 9);
nodes.Get(i)->AddApplication(app);
app->SetStartTime(Seconds(1.0));
app->SetStopTime(Seconds(100.0));
}
// Install Orchestrator application
Ptr<Socket> orchestratorSocket = Socket::CreateSocket(nodes.Get(5), UdpSocketFactory::GetTypeId());
Ptr<OrchestratorApp> orchestratorApp = CreateObject<OrchestratorApp>();
std::vector<Ipv4Address> vnfAddresses;
for (uint32_t i = 0; i < nodes.GetN() – 1; ++i)
{
vnfAddresses.push_back(interfaces.GetAddress(i));
}
orchestratorApp->Setup(orchestratorSocket, vnfAddresses, 9);
nodes.Get(5)->AddApplication(orchestratorApp);
orchestratorApp->SetStartTime(Seconds(1.0));
orchestratorApp->SetStopTime(Seconds(100.0));
Simulator::Run();
Simulator::Destroy();
return 0;
}
Step 5: Evaluate the Performance
- Run the Simulation:
- Execute the simulation script and observe the behaviour of VNFs and the orchestrator.
- Analyse the Results:
- Evaluate the orchestration efficiency, such as the response time to scaling actions and the overall network performance.
In the conclusion, we discussed Network Function Virtualization (NFV) and orchestration of Virtual Network Functions (VNFs) that enthusiastically handle and simulate the VNF network by creating the nodes, set up channels, and run basic simulations using the ns3 tools. We will provide further insights about how the NFV and orchestration VNF will perform in other simulation scenarios.
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