How to Implement HTTP HTTPS in NS3

To implement a HTTP and HTTPS in NS-3 it includes setup to network environment where the nodes were interacted using these protocols. The ns-3 doesn’t have built in applications for HTTP/HTTPS; however we simulate the performance using a combination of TCP/UDP applications and further some configurations. For HTTPS, we simulate encoded communication over TCP so contact us for simulation support.

Here is the step by procedure to set up a basic HTPP/HTTPS network environment in ns-3:

 Step-by-Step Guide to Implement HTTP/HTTPS in ns-3

1. Set Up Your Development Environment

1. Install ns-3:
   • Follow the official ns-3 installation guide.
2. Install Required Modules:
   • Ensure you have all necessary ns-3 modules installed, such as Internet, Point-to-Point, and Applications modules.

2. Create a Basic HTTP/HTTPS Simulation Script

The given below is the sample script to set up a basic HTTP/HTPPS network environment using the ns-3:

#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”

#include “ns3/flow-monitor-module.h”

using namespace ns3;

NS_LOG_COMPONENT_DEFINE (“HttpHttpsExample”);

int main (int argc, char *argv[])

{

  // Set simulation parameters

  double simTime = 10.0; // Simulation time in seconds

  bool useHttps = false;

  CommandLine cmd;

  cmd.AddValue(“simTime”, “Simulation time”, simTime);

  cmd.AddValue(“useHttps”, “Enable HTTPS (default is HTTP)”, useHttps);

  cmd.Parse(argc, argv);

  // Create nodes

  NodeContainer nodes;

  nodes.Create(2);

  // Set up Point-to-Point link

  PointToPointHelper pointToPoint;

  pointToPoint.SetDeviceAttribute(“DataRate”, StringValue(“5Mbps”));

  pointToPoint.SetChannelAttribute(“Delay”, StringValue(“2ms”));

  NetDeviceContainer devices;

  devices = pointToPoint.Install(nodes);

  // Install the Internet stack on the nodes

  InternetStackHelper stack;

  stack.Install(nodes);

  // Assign IP addresses to devices

  Ipv4AddressHelper address;

  address.SetBase(“10.1.1.0”, “255.255.255.0”);

  Ipv4InterfaceContainer interfaces = address.Assign(devices);

  // Create a TCP server application

  uint16_t port = useHttps ? 443 : 80;

  Address serverAddress(InetSocketAddress(Ipv4Address::GetAny(), port));

  PacketSinkHelper packetSinkHelper(“ns3::TcpSocketFactory”, serverAddress);

  ApplicationContainer serverApp = packetSinkHelper.Install(nodes.Get(1));

  serverApp.Start(Seconds(1.0));

  serverApp.Stop(Seconds(simTime));

  // Create a TCP client application

  Address clientAddress(InetSocketAddress(interfaces.GetAddress(1), port));

  OnOffHelper clientHelper(“ns3::TcpSocketFactory”, clientAddress);

  clientHelper.SetAttribute(“DataRate”, DataRateValue(DataRate(“1Mbps”)));

  clientHelper.SetAttribute(“PacketSize”, UintegerValue(1024));

  clientHelper.SetAttribute(“OnTime”, StringValue(“ns3::ConstantRandomVariable[Constant=1]”));

  clientHelper.SetAttribute(“OffTime”, StringValue(“ns3::ConstantRandomVariable[Constant=0]”));

  ApplicationContainer clientApp = clientHelper.Install(nodes.Get(0));

  clientApp.Start(Seconds(2.0));

  clientApp.Stop(Seconds(simTime));

  // Enable Flow Monitor

  FlowMonitorHelper flowmon;

  Ptr<FlowMonitor> monitor = flowmon.InstallAll();

  // Enable tracing

  pointToPoint.EnablePcapAll(“http-https-example”);

  // Run the simulation

  Simulator::Stop(Seconds(simTime));

  Simulator::Run();

  // Print flow monitor statistics

  monitor->SerializeToXmlFile(“http-https-flowmon.xml”, true, true);

  Simulator::Destroy();

  return 0;

}

Explanation of the Script

At this direction, we provide the explanation for the script that is

1. Include Necessary Headers:
   • Include headers for ns-3 core, network, internet, point-to-point, applications, and flow monitor modules.
2. Set Simulation Parameters:
   • Define the simulation time and whether to use HTTPS.
3. Create Nodes:
   • Create two nodes using NodeContainer.
4. Set Up Point-to-Point Link:
   • Configure the point-to-point link with a data rate and delay using PointToPointHelper.
   • Install the point-to-point devices on the nodes.
5. Install Internet Stack:
   • Install the Internet stack on the nodes using InternetStackHelper.
6. Assign IP Addresses:
   • Assign IP addresses to the devices using Ipv4AddressHelper.
7. Create TCP Server Application:
   • Install a TCP server application (PacketSink) on one of the nodes to receive data.
   • Use port 80 for HTTP and port 443 for HTTPS.
8. Create TCP Client Application:
   • Install a TCP client application (OnOffHelper) on the other node to send data.
9. Enable Flow Monitor:
   • Install and configure the Flow Monitor to collect and analyze network performance statistics.
10. Enable Tracing:
    • Enable pcap tracing to capture packet traces for analysis.
11. Run the Simulation:
    • Set the simulation stop time, run the simulation, print flow monitor statistics, and clean up using Simulator::Stop, Simulator::Run, and Simulator::Destroy.

Further Enhancements

Below are the future improvements for the HTTP & HTTPS networks;

1. Advanced Network Topologies:
   • Implement more complex network topologies with multiple nodes and links.
2. Different Traffic Patterns:
   • Experiment with different traffic patterns by adjusting the packet interval and size.
3. Quality of Service (QoS):
   • Implement QoS mechanisms to prioritize traffic and ensure timely delivery.
4. Network Performance Metrics:
   • Collect and analyze additional performance metrics such as throughput, latency, packet delivery ratio, and resource utilization.
5. Dynamic Traffic Patterns:
   • Implement dynamic traffic patterns to simulate real-world scenarios more accurately.
6. Security:
   • Implement security mechanisms to protect data and services within the network.

As we discussed earlier about how the HTTP & HTTPS networks will perform in ns-3 environment and we help to provide further information about how the HTTP & HTTPS networks will adapt in different environments.