How To Implement IEEE 802.3 Ethernet In NS3

Implementing IEEE 802.3 (Ethernet) in ns-3 includes setting up a network which utilizes Ethernet links. The ethernet links are used to connect nodes. ns-3 provides a comprehensive set of Ethernet models, that allows the user to simulate ethernet network with different configurations. Here is the complete guide to set up a basic Ethernet network scenario using ns-3 features.

Steps to implement ethernet in ns-3 :

1. Set Up Your Development Environment

• Install ns-3 : Ensure that you have ns-3 installed in your computer. To install, follow the official ns-3 installation guide.
• Install required modules : Make sure that you have installed all the required ns-3 modules such as Internet, Csma and Application modules.

2. Create a Basic Ethernet Simulation Script

Example script to set up a basic ethernet network scenario in ns-3:

#include “ns3/core-module.h”

#include “ns3/network-module.h”

#include “ns3/internet-module.h”

#include “ns3/csma-module.h”

#include “ns3/applications-module.h”

using namespace ns3;

NS_LOG_COMPONENT_DEFINE (“EthernetExample”);

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

{

  // Set simulation parameters

  uint32_t numNodes = 3;

  double simTime = 10.0; // Simulation time in seconds

  CommandLine cmd;

  cmd.AddValue(“numNodes”, “Number of Ethernet nodes”, numNodes);

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

  cmd.Parse(argc, argv);

  // Create nodes

  NodeContainer nodes;

  nodes.Create(numNodes);

  // Set up Ethernet (CSMA) links

  CsmaHelper csma;

  csma.SetChannelAttribute(“DataRate”, StringValue(“100Mbps”));

  csma.SetChannelAttribute(“Delay”, TimeValue(NanoSeconds(6560)));

  NetDeviceContainer devices;

  devices = csma.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 applications

  uint16_t port = 9;

  // Install a UDP echo server on the first node

  UdpEchoServerHelper echoServer(port);

  ApplicationContainer serverApp = echoServer.Install(nodes.Get(0));

  serverApp.Start(Seconds(1.0));

  serverApp.Stop(Seconds(simTime));

  // Install a UDP echo client on the last node

  UdpEchoClientHelper echoClient(interfaces.GetAddress(0), port);

  echoClient.SetAttribute(“MaxPackets”, UintegerValue(10));

  echoClient.SetAttribute(“Interval”, TimeValue(Seconds(1.0)));

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

  ApplicationContainer clientApp = echoClient.Install(nodes.Get(numNodes – 1));

  clientApp.Start(Seconds(2.0));

  clientApp.Stop(Seconds(simTime));

  // Enable tracing

  csma.EnablePcap(“ethernet-example”, devices.Get(0), true);

  // Run the simulation

  Simulator::Stop(Seconds(simTime));

  Simulator::Run();

  Simulator::Destroy();

  return 0;

Explanation of the Script

                        In this set up, we had created a network with ethernet links and simulated ethernet networks with different configurations using ns-3 features. Let’s have a detailed explanation on the script below:

1. Include necessary headers: Include all the required headers for ns-3 core, network, internet, csma and application modules.
2. Set simulation Parameters : Define the nodes for ethernet network and also define the simulation time.
3. Create nodes : Using NodeContainer, create nodes for ethernet network.
4. Set up ethernet (CSMA) links : Using CsmaHelper, configure the ethernet channel with appropriate data rate and delay attributes. Install the CSMA devices on the nodes using CsmaHelper.
5. Install Internet Stack : Using InternetStackHelper, install the internet stack on all nodes.
6. Assign IP Addresses : Assign IP addresses to the devices using Ipv4AddressHelper.
7. Create applications : On the first node, install the UDP echo server and on the last node, install the UDP echo clients to simulate communications.
8. Enable tracing : Capture packet traces using pcap tracing for analysis.
9. Run the simulator : Define the simulation stopping time and run the simulator and cleanup using Simulator::Stop, Simulator::Run, and Simulator::Destroy.

Further enhancements

       Future enhancements for implementing IEEE 802.3 (Ethernet) in ns-3 includes advanced network topologies, providing Quality of Service, analyzing network performance metrics etc.

1. Advanced network topologies :
   • Implement more network topologies which includes star, ring or mesh topologies.

1. Quality of Service (QoS) :
   • Prioritize traffic by implementing QoS mechanisms and also ensure timely delivery.
2. Network performance metrics :
   • Collect and analyze performance metrics such as throughput, latency, packet delivery ratio, and resource utilization.
3. Interference Modeling :
   • Model interference and evaluate creates an great impact on network performance.

5. Fault tolerance and resilience :
   • For ethernet communication evaluate and implement fault tolerance mechanisms and resilience strategies.

Overall, we have created a setup which involves a network with Ethernet links and simulated the Ethernet network with different configurations using ns-3 features. Also we offer more information on IEEE 802.3 (Ethernet) with best programming support.