How to Implement Network Design and Architecture in ns3

To implement network design and architecture in ns3, we need to set-up a network simulation which uses various network components such as routers, switches, and end devices, and configuring them to mimic a real-world network scenario. Below given steps will guide on creating a basic network architecture with various types of nodes and connections in ns3.

Step-by-step guide to implement Network architecture 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:

#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/mobility-module.h”

#include “ns3/flow-monitor-module.h”

Step 3: Create the Simulation Script

1. Setup Nodes and Network:

using namespace ns3;

NS_LOG_COMPONENT_DEFINE (“NetworkDesignExample”);

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

{

CommandLine cmd;

cmd.Parse (argc, argv);

// Create nodes

NodeContainer endDevices;

endDevices.Create (4); // 4 end devices

NodeContainer routers;

routers.Create (2); // 2 routers

// Create point-to-point links

PointToPointHelper pointToPoint;

pointToPoint.SetDeviceAttribute (“DataRate”, StringValue (“10Mbps”));

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

// Create a star topology

NetDeviceContainer endDevicesToRouter1;

endDevicesToRouter1 = pointToPoint.Install (NodeContainer (endDevices.Get (0), routers.Get (0)));

endDevicesToRouter1.Add (pointToPoint.Install (NodeContainer (endDevices.Get (1), routers.Get (0))));

NetDeviceContainer endDevicesToRouter2;

endDevicesToRouter2 = pointToPoint.Install (NodeContainer (endDevices.Get (2), routers.Get (1))));

endDevicesToRouter2.Add (pointToPoint.Install (NodeContainer (endDevices.Get (3), routers.Get (1))));

// Connect the two routers

NetDeviceContainer routersConnection;

routersConnection = pointToPoint.Install (NodeContainer (routers.Get (0), routers.Get (1))));

// Install Internet stack

InternetStackHelper stack;

stack.Install (endDevices);

stack.Install (routers);

// Assign IP addresses

Ipv4AddressHelper address;

Ipv4InterfaceContainer interfaces;

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

interfaces = address.Assign (endDevicesToRouter1);

address.SetBase (“10.1.2.0”, “255.255.255.0”);

interfaces = address.Assign (endDevicesToRouter2);

address.SetBase (“10.1.3.0”, “255.255.255.0”);

interfaces = address.Assign (routersConnection);

// Set up applications

uint16_t port = 9;  // Discard port (RFC 863)

// Server application on one end device

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

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

ApplicationContainer sinkApps = packetSinkHelper.Install (endDevices.Get (3));

sinkApps.Start (Seconds (1.0));

sinkApps.Stop (Seconds (20.0));

// Client application on another end device

OnOffHelper onoff (“ns3::UdpSocketFactory”, Address (InetSocketAddress (Ipv4Address (“10.1.2.2”), port)));

onoff.SetConstantRate (DataRate (“1Mbps”));

ApplicationContainer apps = onoff.Install (endDevices.Get (0));

apps.Start (Seconds (2.0));

apps.Stop (Seconds (20.0));

// Flow monitor

FlowMonitorHelper flowmon;

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

Simulator::Stop (Seconds (20.0));

Simulator::Run ();

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

Simulator::Destroy ();

return 0;

}

Step 4: Run the Simulation

Compile and run the simulation script:

sh

./waf configure

./waf build

./waf –run NetworkDesignExample

Explanation

• Node Creation: Create nodes representing different devices and routers in the network.
• Point-to-Point Links: Configure point-to-point links between nodes. The script sets up links between end devices and routers and also between the routers.
• Internet Stack: Install the Internet stack on all nodes.
• IP Configuration: Assign IP addresses to the interfaces.
• Applications: Set up UDP applications to simulate traffic between nodes.
• Flow Monitor: Use the flow monitor to collect traffic data and save it to an XML file for analysis.

Advanced Network Design Techniques

1. Switches and LANs:

Use CSMA (Carrier Sense Multiple Access) to simulate local area networks (LANs) with switches.

CsmaHelper csma;

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

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

NetDeviceContainer lanDevices;

lanDevices = csma.Install (endDevices);

1. Wireless Networks:

Use WiFi to simulate wireless networks.

WifiHelper wifi;

wifi.SetRemoteStationManager (“ns3::AarfWifiManager”);

YansWifiPhyHelper wifiPhy = YansWifiPhyHelper::Default ();

YansWifiChannelHelper wifiChannel = YansWifiChannelHelper::Default ();

wifiPhy.SetChannel (wifiChannel.Create ());

WifiMacHelper wifiMac;

Ssid ssid = Ssid (“ns-3-ssid”);

wifiMac.SetType (“ns3::StaWifiMac”, “Ssid”, SsidValue (ssid), “ActiveProbing”, BooleanValue (false));

NetDeviceContainer staDevices = wifi.Install (wifiPhy, wifiMac, endDevices);

1. Routing Protocols:

Implement different routing protocols such as OSPF, BGP, or custom routing.

Ipv4StaticRoutingHelper staticRouting;

Ptr<Ipv4StaticRouting> staticRouter1 = staticRouting.GetStaticRouting (routers.Get (0)->GetObject<Ipv4> ());

staticRouter1->AddNetworkRouteTo (Ipv4Address (“10.1.2.0”), Ipv4Mask (“255.255.255.0”), Ipv4Address (“10.1.3.2”), 1);

Ptr<Ipv4StaticRouting> staticRouter2 = staticRouting.GetStaticRouting (routers.Get (1)->GetObject<Ipv4> ());

staticRouter2->AddNetworkRouteTo (Ipv4Address (“10.1.1.0”), Ipv4Mask (“255.255.255.0”), Ipv4Address (“10.1.3.1”), 1);

1. Network Mobility:

Use the mobility module to simulate moving nodes.

MobilityHelper mobility;

mobility.SetMobilityModel (“ns3::ConstantVelocityMobilityModel”);

mobility.Install (endDevices);

Ptr<ConstantVelocityMobilityModel>mob=endDevices.Get(0)->GetObject<ConstantVelocityMobilityModel>();

mob->SetVelocity(Vector(10.0, 0.0, 0.0));

Over all, we had learnt to implement network architecture in ns3 by setting up a simulation network with various network components and different types of nodes and connections. Also, we had briefly discussed about the advanced network design techniques.

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