To implement network anonymity in ns3, we need to follow several steps. First, we have to create a simulation network in that network prevent tracking and ensuring privacy of data has to be done by anonymizing data transmission path. For this implementation process we can use various techniques like onion routing, mix networks, or using proxies. Below given steps will guide on implementing network anonymity in ns3.
Step-by-step guide to implement network anonymity in ns3:
Step 1: Setup ns3 Environment
Make sure ns3 is installed on the system.
Step 2: Include Necessary Modules
Include the necessary ns3 modules in the script:
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#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”
Step 3: Create the Simulation Script
- Setup Nodes and Network:
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using namespace ns3;
NS_LOG_COMPONENT_DEFINE (“NetworkAnonymityExample”);
class AnonymityApplication : public Application
{
public:
AnonymityApplication ();
virtual ~AnonymityApplication ();
void Setup (Ptr<Socket> socket, Address address, uint32_t packetSize, uint32_t nPackets, DataRate dataRate);
private:
virtual void StartApplication (void);
virtual void StopApplication (void);
void ScheduleTx (void);
void SendPacket (void);
void AnonymizePacket (Ptr<Packet> packet);
Ptr<Socket> m_socket;
Address m_peer;
uint32_t m_packetSize;
uint32_t m_nPackets;
DataRate m_dataRate;
EventId m_sendEvent;
bool m_running;
uint32_t m_packetsSent;
};
AnonymityApplication::AnonymityApplication ()
: m_socket (0),
m_peer (),
m_packetSize (0),
m_nPackets (0),
m_dataRate (0),
m_sendEvent (),
m_running (false),
m_packetsSent (0)
{
}
AnonymityApplication::~AnonymityApplication ()
{
m_socket = 0;
}
void
AnonymityApplication::Setup (Ptr<Socket> socket, Address address, uint32_t packetSize, uint32_t nPackets, DataRate dataRate)
{
m_socket = socket;
m_peer = address;
m_packetSize = packetSize;
m_nPackets = nPackets;
m_dataRate = dataRate;
}
void
AnonymityApplication::StartApplication (void)
{
m_running = true;
m_packetsSent = 0;
m_socket->Bind ();
m_socket->Connect (m_peer);
SendPacket ();
}
void
AnonymityApplication::StopApplication (void)
{
m_running = false;
if (m_sendEvent.IsRunning ())
{
Simulator::Cancel (m_sendEvent);
}
if (m_socket)
{
m_socket->Close ();
}
}
void
AnonymityApplication::SendPacket (void)
{
Ptr<Packet> packet = Create<Packet> (m_packetSize);
AnonymizePacket (packet);
m_socket->Send (packet);
if (++m_packetsSent < m_nPackets)
{
ScheduleTx ();
}
}
void
AnonymityApplication::ScheduleTx (void)
{
if (m_running)
{
Time tNext (Seconds (m_packetSize * 8 / static_cast<double> (m_dataRate.GetBitRate ())));
m_sendEvent = Simulator::Schedule (tNext, &AnonymityApplication::SendPacket, this);
}
}
void
AnonymityApplication::AnonymizePacket (Ptr<Packet> packet)
{
// Add dummy header data to anonymize the packet
// Here we simply add a dummy 8-byte header to simulate anonymization
uint8_t dummyHeader[8] = {0};
packet->AddHeader (dummyHeader, 8);
}
int main (int argc, char *argv[])
{
CommandLine cmd;
cmd.Parse (argc, argv);
// Create nodes
NodeContainer nodes;
nodes.Create (4);
// Create point-to-point links
PointToPointHelper pointToPoint;
pointToPoint.SetDeviceAttribute (“DataRate”, StringValue (“10Mbps”));
pointToPoint.SetChannelAttribute (“Delay”, StringValue (“2ms”));
NetDeviceContainer devices;
devices = pointToPoint.Install (NodeContainer (nodes.Get (0), nodes.Get (1)));
devices.Add (pointToPoint.Install (NodeContainer (nodes.Get (1), nodes.Get (2))));
devices.Add (pointToPoint.Install (NodeContainer (nodes.Get (2), nodes.Get (3))));
// 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);
// Set up applications
uint16_t port = 9; // Discard port (RFC 863)
// Server application on node 3
Address serverAddress (InetSocketAddress (Ipv4Address::GetAny (), port));
PacketSinkHelper packetSinkHelper (“ns3::UdpSocketFactory”, serverAddress);
ApplicationContainer sinkApps = packetSinkHelper.Install (nodes.Get (3));
sinkApps.Start (Seconds (1.0));
sinkApps.Stop (Seconds (20.0));
// Client application on node 0
Ptr<Socket> source = Socket::CreateSocket (nodes.Get (0), UdpSocketFactory::GetTypeId ());
Address remoteAddress (InetSocketAddress (interfaces.GetAddress (3), port));
Ptr<AnonymityApplication> app = CreateObject<AnonymityApplication> ();
app->Setup (source, remoteAddress, 1024, 1000, DataRate (“1Mbps”));
nodes.Get (0)->AddApplication (app);
app->SetStartTime (Seconds (2.0));
app->SetStopTime (Seconds (20.0));
Simulator::Stop (Seconds (20.0));
Simulator::Run ();
Simulator::Destroy ();
return 0;
}
Step 4: Run the Simulation
Compile and run your simulation script:
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./waf configure
./waf build
./waf –run NetworkAnonymityExample
Explanation
- Node Creation: Create nodes representing different devices in the network.
- Point-to-Point Links: Configure point-to-point links between nodes with specified data rates and delays.
- Internet Stack: Install the Internet stack on all nodes.
- IP Configuration: Assign IP addresses to the interfaces.
- Applications: Implement a custom application (AnonymityApplication) that simulates anonymized data transmission by adding dummy header data to each packet.
- Traffic Generation: Use the custom AnonymityApplication to generate traffic from a client node to a server node, simulating anonymized data transmission.
Advanced Network Anonymity Techniques
- Onion Routing:
Implement onion routing by encrypting each packet in multiple layers and routing it through multiple intermediate nodes.
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void
AnonymityApplication::AnonymizePacket (Ptr<Packet> packet)
{
// Encrypt packet in multiple layers for onion routing
std::vector<std::string> keys = {“key1”, “key2”, “key3”};
for (const auto& key : keys)
{
// Encrypt packet using the key
// (This is a simplified version, use proper encryption in a real scenario)
uint8_t *buffer = new uint8_t[packet->GetSize ()];
packet->CopyData (buffer, packet->GetSize ());
for (uint32_t i = 0; i < packet->GetSize (); ++i)
{
buffer[i] ^= key[i % key.length ()];
}
packet->ReplaceAllPacketData (buffer, packet->GetSize ());
delete[] buffer;
}
}
- Mix Networks:
Implement mix networks by batching and shuffling packets at intermediate nodes to break the link between sender and receiver.
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// At each intermediate node, buffer packets and send them out in a shuffled order
- Proxies:
Use proxies to relay traffic and hide the original sender’s IP address.
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// Set up proxy nodes that forward packets between sender and receiver
- Traffic Analysis Resistance:
Implement techniques to resist traffic analysis, such as adding dummy traffic and constant-rate transmission.
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void
AnonymityApplication::SendPacket (void)
{
Ptr<Packet> packet = Create<Packet> (m_packetSize);
AnonymizePacket (packet);
m_socket->Send (packet);
// Send dummy packet
Ptr<Packet> dummyPacket = Create<Packet> (m_packetSize);
AnonymizePacket (dummyPacket);
m_socket->Send (dummyPacket);
if (++m_packetsSent < m_nPackets)
{
ScheduleTx ();
}
}
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Over all, we had concluded that network anonymity can be implemented in ns3, by anonymizing the data transmission path to prevent tracking of data and ensuring its privacy and we have also explained about the advanced network anonymity techniques like onion routing, Mix networks, proxies, and Traffic analysis resistance.
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